Easy Slow Cooker Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion
diced
- 1 large red bell pepper
diced
- 1 large green bell pepper
diced
- 2 medium hatch green chilies or jalapenos
diced
- 4 cloves garlic
minced or pressed
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
or turkey
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons ground cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3 cans diced tomatoes
14.5 oz
- 1 can whole kernel corn
15 oz
- 1 can black beans
15 oz
- 1 can pinto beans
15 oz
- 1 can kidney beans
15 oz
- 1 can garbanzo beans
15 oz
- 1-2 cups water
as needed
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- shredded cheese
- sour cream
- cilantro
- green onions
- lime wedges
- tortilla chips
- Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread
Directions
- 1
In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the onion, bell peppers, chilies, and garlic in the olive oil until translucent and fragrant.
- 2
Add in the ground beef, salt, pepper, cayenne, chili powder, and cumin and continue to cook until the beef is browned and cooked through (just a few minutes). You can drain out the excess fat if desired, then add to your slow cooker.
- 3
Add in the canned tomatoes, beans, and corn and stir until combined.
- 4
If needed, add just enough water to barely cover top of the ingredients in the slow cooker (add more liquid if you want a more soupy chili).
- 5
Stir in the lime juice and hot sauce.
- 6
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- 7
Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
Easy Slow Cooker Chili
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About this Recipe
Looking for that hearty, hands-off meal that truly delivers on flavor? This Easy Slow Cooker Chili is your answer, making dinner simple and delicious with minimal effort.
What sets this chili apart is its clever balance of upfront flavor building and hands-off cooking. With just a quick sauté of your aromatics and ground beef, the rest is effortless. You'll combine pantry staples like various beans, corn, and diced tomatoes directly into your slow cooker. The true magic unfolds during the long, gentle simmer, allowing all those robust spices and ingredients to meld into a deeply satisfying dish.
Prepare for a rich, savory experience with every spoonful. You'll find tender ground beef alongside a generous medley of beans—black, pinto, kidney, and garbanzo—each adding unique textures and protein. Sweet corn kernels provide a pleasant pop, while diced red and green bell peppers, onion, and a hint of hatch green chilies or jalapeños contribute freshness and a gentle warmth. The seasoning, a thoughtful blend of chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper, creates a comforting heat that’s perfectly balanced by tangy lime juice and hot sauce, ensuring a full-bodied chili that’s never bland. This is a meal that develops incredible character over hours, rewarding your patience with unparalleled depth.
This recipe is wonderfully versatile, allowing for easy customization. You can effortlessly swap the ground beef for ground turkey to create a leaner version without sacrificing flavor. Feel free to adjust the heat level by moderating the cayenne pepper or the number of hatch green chilies or jalapeños. While the recipe features a robust mix of black, pinto, kidney, and garbanzo beans, you can certainly adapt it to your preferred combination of legumes. The amount of water can also be adjusted to achieve your desired chili consistency.
Perfect for a cozy family dinner, game day, or any occasion craving comforting food, this chili shines brightest when served with an array of toppings. Pile on shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, fresh cilantro, and green onions. Don't forget the essential lime wedges for a zesty finish and, of course, crunchy tortilla chips or a slice of warm Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread for dipping.