Description
This hearty Crockpot Chili Recipe combines ground beef and pork with a robust blend of tomatoes, beans, and spices slow-cooked to perfection. It’s a comforting, flavorful dish perfect for a cozy meal and easy to customize with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, and green onions.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork or turkey
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Canned Goods
- 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
Liquids and Oils
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Spices
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings (Optional)
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Chopped green onions
- Tortilla chips
Instructions
- Brown the Meat and Onions: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, ground pork (or turkey), and diced onion. Cook until the meat is browned and the onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute to release its flavor.
- Transfer to Crockpot: Move the cooked meat mixture from the skillet into your crockpot to begin the slow-cooking process.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, kidney beans, black beans, beef broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper to the crockpot. Stir everything together to combine evenly.
- Cook on Low Setting: Cover your crockpot and cook the chili on low heat for 6-8 hours to develop deep flavors. The low and slow cooking method tenderizes the meat and melds the spices beautifully.
- Alternative High Setting Option: If short on time, cook the chili on high setting for 3-4 hours until the flavors have blended and the chili is cooked through.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the chili and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot and garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, and tortilla chips as desired for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey entirely if you want a leaner chili.
- For a spicier chili, increase the cayenne pepper or add diced jalapeños during cooking.
- Drain and rinse canned beans well to reduce sodium content.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
- This chili freezes well; portion into airtight containers for easy meals later.
