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Ground Beef Chili with Beans Easy Crockpot Recipe for Busy Nights

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This hearty ground beef chili with beans is the ultimate comfort food for busy nights. Made in the crockpot with pantry staples, it’s rich, flavorful, and perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680g) ground beef (85% lean)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large bell pepper, chopped (any color)
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes, with juices (fire-roasted or regular)
  • 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth (preferably low-sodium)
  • 3 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (optional but recommended)
  • 1.5 tsp salt
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo or 1 diced jalapeño for heat
  • For topping: shredded cheddar, sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, sliced avocado, crushed tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until mostly browned (about 5-6 minutes).
  2. Add diced onion and cook another 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Transfer the beef mixture to a 6-quart or larger crockpot, scraping in all browned bits.
  4. Add chopped bell pepper, drained kidney and black beans, diced tomatoes with juices, tomato sauce, and beef broth.
  5. Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cocoa powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine. Add chipotle peppers or jalapeño if desired.
  6. Cover and cook on Low for 6–8 hours or High for 3–4 hours.
  7. About 30 minutes before serving, taste and adjust seasoning. Add more salt, a pinch of sugar if needed, or more broth if too thick. If too thin, leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes.
  8. Serve hot in bowls with desired toppings. Leftovers thicken and taste even better the next day.

Notes

Browning the beef and onions before adding to the crockpot adds depth of flavor. Adjust spice level to taste with chipotle or jalapeño. For a thicker chili, mash some beans or leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes. Leftovers taste even better the next day and freeze well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: chili, crockpot, slow cooker, ground beef, beans, easy, comfort food, family dinner, meal prep, gluten-free

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/ground-beef-chili-with-beans-easy-crockpot-recipe-for-busy-nights/