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Cozy Slow Cooker Halloween Chili Bar

slow cooker halloween chili bar - featured image
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A stress-free, set-and-forget slow cooker chili served as a build-your-own bar with festive toppings, perfect for Halloween chaos and picky eaters.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 small can tomato paste
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Toppings: Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, tortilla chips, crumbled cornbread

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until fully browned, then drain excess grease.
  2. In the same skillet, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes until the onion is translucent.
  3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
  4. Transfer the beef and spice mixture into a 6-quart slow cooker.
  5. Add the drained black beans, kidney beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Stir until well combined.
  6. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  7. If the chili is too thin, leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes. Adjust salt to taste.
  8. Set up serving bowls with toppings (cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, jalapeños, chips) around the slow cooker.
  9. Ladle the hot chili into bowls and let everyone build their own.

Notes

For best flavor, brown the beef first and deglaze the skillet with a little water, pouring the flavorful bits into the slow cooker. Keep fresh toppings like avocado and cilantro separate until serving to maintain texture. This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you check your spice and broth labels.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween dinner, slow cooker chili, chili bar, family friendly, set and forget, easy dinner, picky eaters, comfort food

Find it online: https://islatable.com/cozy-slow-cooker-halloween-chili-bar-5-easy-fun-recipes/