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Beef Chili Con Carne Slow Cooker Recipe Easy and Hearty Dinner

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This easy slow cooker beef chili con carne is packed with tender chunks of beef, beans, tomatoes, and a smoky spice blend. It’s a hearty, comforting dinner perfect for busy nights, potlucks, or family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast or stewing beef, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes (fire-roasted preferred)
  • 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional garnishes: sour cream or Greek yogurt, shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, crushed tortilla chips or cornbread

Instructions

  1. Pat beef chunks dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown beef on all sides in batches, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Transfer browned beef to slow cooker.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté diced onion and bell peppers for 3-4 minutes until onion is translucent and peppers soften. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Transfer veggies to slow cooker.
  4. Add diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato paste, drained beans, and beef broth to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.
  5. In a small bowl, mix chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cocoa powder, cinnamon, cayenne, remaining salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle spice blend over chili mixture and stir well.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours, until beef is fork-tender and chili is thick and bubbling. If too soupy, cook uncovered on HIGH for last 30 minutes.
  7. About 30 minutes before serving, taste and adjust seasoning. For thicker chili, mash some beans and stir back in.
  8. Serve hot in bowls with desired toppings: cheese, sour cream, cilantro, jalapeños, chips, or cornbread.

Notes

Browning the beef adds depth of flavor, but you can skip if short on time. For extra smokiness, add a diced chipotle pepper in adobo. Make ahead for deeper flavor; chili freezes and reheats well. Adjust spice level to taste. For thicker chili, mash some beans before adding. Double-check broth and spices for gluten-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef chili, chili con carne, slow cooker chili, hearty dinner, comfort food, easy chili, crockpot chili, Tex-Mex, beef stew, game day recipes

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