Easy Crockpot Chili
A flavorful and nutritious chili made effortlessly in a crockpot, perfect for busy lifestyles.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey for a leaner option) Substitution: Use black beans or lentils for a vegetarian alternative.
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juice
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional toppings
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheese
- Chopped green onions
- Jalapeños For an extra kick!
Instructions
Preparation
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef (or turkey) for about 5-7 minutes. Break it into smaller pieces as it cooks. Drain excess fat before adding it to the crockpot.
- In your crockpot, combine the browned meat with all the remaining ingredients: kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, bell pepper, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to ensure even distribution of flavors.
Cooking
- Cover and set your crockpot to high for 1.5 hours or low for 4-6 hours. If you’re short on time, the high setting delivers speedy results without sacrificing rich flavors.
- About 10 minutes before the cooking time is up, taste your chili and adjust the seasonings as needed. This is your chance to personalize it; feel free to add more spices or even a splash of hot sauce for extra heat.
Serving
- Once the chili is hot and bubbly, it’s time to serve! You can serve it in bowls or enjoy it straight from the pot.
Notes
Chili over rice, chili nachos, and chili wraps make excellent serving suggestions. Make sure to avoid common mistakes like not browning the meat and neglecting spices.