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Crockpot Beef and Bean Chili served in a white bowl topped with sour cream and cilantro on a light wooden table

Crockpot Beef and Bean Chili

Crockpot Beef and Bean Chili is the hands-off, flavor-packed dinner every busy home cook needs in their back pocket. It’s hearty, loaded with protein, and the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Cooking spray
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef or turkey
  • 2 15-ounce cans no-salt-added tomato sauce
  • 1 14-ounce can fire-roasted diced or crushed tomatoes
  • 1 4-ounce can diced green chiles
  • 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed (or 1 ½ cups cooked lentils)
  • 1 ½ cups low-sodium beef broth or chicken broth
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 medium bell pepper any color, diced
  • ½ –1 small jalapeño finely diced (seeds removed for less heat)
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon fine salt plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Method
 

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and spray with cooking spray.
  2. Add the ground beef and use a spatula to break it into small crumbles. Cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's cooked through and no longer pink.
  3. Drain off any excess fat, then transfer the beef to your slow cooker.
  4. Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, green chiles, kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, beef broth, onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, garlic, chili powder, cumin, cocoa powder, smoked paprika, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker.
  5. Stir everything together to combine, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed.
  6. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 8 hours (or high for 4-5 hours).
  7. Once the cooking time is up, taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Add more salt or chili powder for extra flavor.
  8. Serve hot with your favorite toppings, like shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, or a squeeze of lime