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Cozy Beef and Vegetable Crockpot Chili

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A rich, savory slow cooker chili that is easy to prepare and deeply flavorful. By searing the beef first and blooming the spices, this recipe delivers a hearty, comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 fat content)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes with juices
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Dice the onion, mince the garlic, and chop the carrots and celery into small, uniform pieces. Set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no pink remains (do not drain the fat).
  3. Add diced onion and carrots to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes until onion is translucent. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to bloom the spices.
  5. Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker.
  6. Add diced tomatoes (with juices), beef broth, kidney beans, and black beans to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.
  7. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours. Avoid lifting the lid frequently.
  8. Once cooking is complete, stir in apple cider vinegar. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed. If too thin, cook uncovered on HIGH for 30 minutes.
  9. Serve hot with desired toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, or avocado.

Notes

[‘Searing the beef is crucial for developing deep flavor via the Maillard reaction; do not skip this step.’, ‘Blooming the spices in oil before adding liquid enhances their aroma and flavor.’, ‘Apple cider vinegar added at the end brightens the flavors and cuts through the richness.’, ‘Chili tastes better the next day as flavors meld. It freezes well for up to 3 months.’, ‘For a thicker chili, drain some tomato juice or use tomato sauce instead of diced tomatoes.’]

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://islatable.com/cozy-beef-and-vegetable-crockpot-chili-easy-slow-cooker-recipe/