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Slow Cooker Three Bean Chili with Ground Beef

Slow cooker three bean chili with ground beef combines kidney, black, and pinto beans with tomatoes and warm spices for a hearty, thick bowl. Brown the beef first, then let the chili cook low and slow until the flavors meld.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours 11 minutes
Standing time 10 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 36 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 510
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 lb ground beef 85% lean
  • 1 yellow onion medium, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans drained and rinsed

Equipment

  • 1 12-inch skillet
  • 1 6-quart slow cooker

Method
 

  1. Heat the vegetable oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the ground beef and diced onion and cook, breaking up the beef, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the beef reaches 160°F and the onion is softened.
  3. Drain excess fat.
  4. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, kosher salt, black pepper, and tomato paste.
  5. Cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
  6. Transfer the beef mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker.
  7. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, beef broth, kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans.
  8. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the chili is hot and the flavors have melded.
  9. Turn off the slow cooker and uncover it.
  10. Let the chili stand for 10 minutes to thicken before serving.

Notes

For the deepest flavor, brown the beef well before adding it to the slow cooker. Refrigerate leftovers for 3 to 4 days or freeze them; ground turkey can replace the beef for a lighter variation.