(The Best) Slow Cooker Chili

It's rich and super flavorful, made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, brown sugar, and spices. Plus, its so easy to make. Just throw everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 8

Total Time 8 20

Course Soup

Servings

Calories 437 kcal

Ingredients

1 tablespoon oil
2 lbs ground beef 80/20 blend
1 red onion diced
1 ½ tablespoon minced garlic
15 oz diced tomatoes
15 oz crushed tomatoes
14 oz tomato sauce
3 oz tomato paste
8 oz jar mild jalapeños drained
1 cup beef broth
1.5 tablespoon chili powder
3-4 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon ground coriander
15 oz can dark kidney beans drained
15 oz can light kidney beans drained
Salt & pepper to taste

Toppings:

Fritos
Sour cream
Shredded cheese we like sharp cheddar
Chives

Instructions

In a frying pan, heat a touch of neutral cooking oil . Add ground beef and season with a bit of salt and pepper. Cook ground beef, breaking up with a spatula until gently browned and crumbled.
Add ground beef along with remaining ingredients to slow cooker. Give it all a good stir and set it to cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Add salt and pepper to taste. To thicken chili, remove slow cooker lid and allow to simmer on low for 20-30 minutes before serving. This allows some of the liquid to evaporate.
Scoop out a generous portion into a bowl. Top with sour cream, shredded cheese, fritos, and chives.

Notes

Brown the beef first, either in a frying pan or in the slow cooker. Browning the beef first gives it a better flavor.
Don't skip the brown sugar & cocoa powder! These two ingredients add complexity and depth, really elevating this chili.
Nutrition values are an estimate only.

Nutrition

Calories: 437kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 25gFat: 23.5g

Keyword slow cooker chili