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Kid-Approved Best Ever Crockpot Chili with Three Beans

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A hearty, budget-friendly chili made with three beans and ground beef, slow-cooked to perfection. This kid-approved recipe is forgiving, flexible, and perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes (no-salt-added preferred)
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted preferred)
  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (Mexican oregano preferred)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
  • 1 cup beef broth (optional, for thinner chili)

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef (optional but recommended): Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until no longer pink (5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if desired.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Layer the ingredients in the slow cooker: Start with the crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes at the bottom. Add the tomato sauce, drained beans, and the browned beef and onion mixture. Do not stir yet.
  4. Add the seasoning blend: In a small bowl, mix chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle evenly over the ingredients. Add brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce if using.
  5. Stir everything together until the spices are evenly distributed. If the chili seems too thick, add up to 1 cup of beef broth.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
  7. About 30 minutes before serving, stir and taste. Adjust seasoning as needed (add more salt, cumin, or a pinch of cayenne for heat).
  8. Serve with desired toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, chopped green onions, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, and crushed tortilla chips.

Notes

For best flavor, brown the meat and sauté the aromatics. Rinse canned beans to reduce sodium. Chili tastes even better the next day. To thicken, mash some beans against the pot or stir in a tablespoon of cornmeal mixed with water. For a spicier version, add diced jalapeño or cayenne pepper.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot chili, slow cooker chili, three bean chili, kid-friendly chili, easy chili recipe, budget-friendly chili, ground beef chili

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/kid-approved-best-ever-crockpot-chili-with-three-beans/