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Cozy Slow Cooker Chili Recipe Easy Hearty Meal for a Crowd

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A warm, hearty slow cooker chili perfect for feeding a crowd with simple ingredients and deep, comforting flavors. Ideal for potlucks, family dinners, or cozy nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds lean or regular ground beef
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped (optional)
  • 2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup (240 ml) low sodium beef broth
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheddar, sour cream, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for about 8 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  2. In the same skillet, add diced onion and chopped red bell pepper. Cook for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
  3. Transfer the browned beef and sautéed vegetables into a 6-quart slow cooker. Add kidney beans, black beans, diced fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth.
  4. Sprinkle in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar. Stir everything thoroughly to combine.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
  6. About 30 minutes before serving, taste the chili and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or chili powder if needed. Add a splash of broth or water if too thick.
  7. Ladle into bowls and offer toppings like shredded cheddar, sour cream, chopped green onions, or fresh cilantro.

Notes

Brown the beef before adding to the slow cooker to enhance flavor and texture. Avoid overcrowding the skillet when browning. Add beans in the last hour if prepping the night before to keep their texture. Resist lifting the slow cooker lid during cooking to maintain thickness. Let chili rest 10 minutes after cooking for better flavor and texture. Adjust seasoning near the end for desired heat and taste.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chili, cozy chili, easy chili recipe, hearty chili, crowd-pleaser chili, comfort food, slow cooker recipe

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/cozy-slow-cooker-chili-recipe-easy-hearty-meal-for-a-crowd/