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Cozy Crockpot Beef Chili: Best Easy Slow Cooker Recipe

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A rich, smoky slow cooker beef chili perfected through trial and error, featuring a heavy hand on smoked paprika for deep flavor and tender beef.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds lean ground beef (80/20 fat ratio recommended)
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth (low-sodium)
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder (pure, not taco seasoning)
  • 1 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes until no pink remains. Drain excess fat if desired, then transfer to the slow cooker.
  2. In the same skillet, sauté the diced onions, bell peppers, and garlic in a little oil until translucent and soft (4-5 minutes). Transfer to the slow cooker on top of the beef.
  3. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, black beans, and kidney beans to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
  4. Add the smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, chipotle pepper, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.
  5. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours until beef is tender.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning. If too thin, mash some beans or cook uncovered on HIGH for 30 minutes. If too thick, add a splash of broth.

Notes

For best flavor, do not skip browning the beef to develop Maillard reaction flavors. Toasting spices in a dry pan before adding can enhance their aroma. The chili tastes even better the next day as flavors meld. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chili, crockpot beef chili, smoked paprika chili, easy dinner, comfort food, meal prep

Find it online: https://twirltaste.com/cozy-crockpot-beef-chili-best-easy-slow-cooker-recipe/