Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Chili

Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Chili

from simplyrecipes.com
Dinner
510 min
8 servings
343 kcal / serving

Chili season is upon us, and this hearty beef and bean slow cooker chili recipe is an easy way to kick it off! It’s loaded with all the classic chili ingredients plus a pinch of cinnamon to deepen the flavor. Top it off with homemade crispy corn strips.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoonsolive oil
  • 2 pounds90/10 ground beef
  • 1white onion, diced
  • 4 clovesgarlic, minced
  • 1 tablespooncumin seeds
  • 2 tablespoonsmild chili powder
  • 1 teaspoondried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoonground cinnamon
  • 1 cuplager beer or beef stock
  • 1can green chiles
  • 2cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2cans diced tomatoes
  • 1can tomato sauce
  • 8 smallcorn tortillas, sliced into strips
  • 1 tablespoonolive oil
  • 1 teaspoonchili powder
  • ½ teaspoonkosher salt
  • sour cream
  • grated cheese
  • chives

Directions

  1. 1

    Brown the beef: In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once it is hot, add ground beef and cook, breaking up the beef as it cooks, until beef is browned in spots, 7 to 8 minutes. Add onions, garlic, and spices and continue to cook for a few minutes to combine flavors. At the very end of browning, add beer or stock and use the liquid to scrape up any stuck bits from the skillet.

  2. 2

    Add to the slow cooker: Transfer all the skillet ingredients to a slow cooker along with green chiles, beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Cover the chili and cook on high for four hours, stirring occasionally, or set to low for 8 hours.

  3. 3

    Finish the chili: Season the chili with salt and pepper to taste once it has cooked. Serve it in big bowls garnished with cheese, sour cream, chives, and tortilla strips.

  4. 4

    To make the crispy corn strips: Preheat oven to 375°F. Slice tortillas into strips and spread them out on a baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and spices and use your hands to mix together. Spread out in an even layer and bake the strips for 5 to 6 minutes. Then stir strips to make sure they are cooking evenly. The ones around the edges will cook faster. Bake for 4-5 minutes and then remove from oven and cool. Tortilla strips will continue to get crispy as they cool.