This Slow Cooker Beef and Beans Chili has been a fall and winter staple in our house for quite some time now. Throw it together in the morning (or even the night before) and then let it cook all day long so you can come home to a delicious, hearty, comforting meal. Be prepared, your home will be smelling ahhh-mazing!
************************
When I tell you that I’ve been waiting to share this recipe with you all since probably last February, I’m really not kidding. But I kept forgetting to photograph it when I made it. Then it was summer and, well, nobody is all that interested in eating chili when it’s 95 degrees outside.
Oh, and then if I did remember to photograph it, it would be pitch black out (not that my pictures are anything to rave about, but you get what I’m saying). Chili can just be kinda tough to make look pretty, ya know?
So here we are today, finally!
Side note: I’d love to take a course on food photography someday. It’s something I find oddly fascinating and fun, but I’m still definitely more of a novice in that area. So who knows, maybe one of these days?
Food photography aside, let’s talk about this chili. Sometime last year, Jay sent me a random link to a chili recipe he found when I was trying to find something to make for dinner with some ground beef. It sounded good, but I didn’t have everything on hand that the recipe called for, so I just started making substitutions and swaps here and there.
Verdict? The end result was amazing. So much so, that I can’t even tell you how many times we’ve made it since.
In this house, it takes some convincing for me to be able to add beans to most dishes. It’s a texture thing for Jay, so I always need to proceed with caution when I’m planning a meal with beans. The original recipe for this chili called for 3 cans of beans, and you can certainly do that if beans are your thing(!), but I’ve found that two cans is a happy middle ground for us over here.
Another reason this recipe is such a favorite over here is because it cooks all day long in my beloved slow cooker. If you don’t already own one of these, you seriously need to. They’re a busy mom’s lifesaver.
And of course, let’s all be honest here. One of the main reasons I love this chili is because it gives me a perfect excuse to make some cornbread. Cornbread = my happy place. Anyone else?
Slow Cooker Beef and Beans Chili
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground sirloin
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 10.75 ounce can tomato puree
- 1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 15 ounce can cannellini beans with liquid
- 1 15 ounce can cannellini beans (or kidney beans), drained
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place the beef, onion, and pepper in a skillet over medium heat, and cook until evenly brown. Drain grease.
- Place the beef, onion, and pepper in a slow cooker. Mix in garlic, tomato puree, diced tomatoes, beans, chili powder, parsley, salt, basil, oregano, and black pepper.
- Cover, and cook 6-8 hours on Low.
slightly adapted from this recipe
And hey, if chili is your thing, be sure to check out some other favorite chili recipes from here on the blog!
- Mal’s Easy Chili (<—a reader favorite!)
- Light ‘n Easy Cincinnati Chili (<—another STSL favorite!)
- Scrumptious Slow Cooker Chili (<—a much older STSL post that could use some photo updates…)
Jennifer says
Yay just in time for me to make this tonight! I think our hubby’s have similar tastes because I have to make the same compromises! That’s why I love following your menu plans lol. Thanks again!
Shaquifa says
Durefeeeeee?!
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
Mmm love chili! I was going to share our recipe pretty soon! It’s so funny seeing how everyone changes up their recipe – there are SO many different varieties! Love that yours has tons of yummy spices and flavors!
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says
I love how easy this chili recipe is. Perfect for busy days.
Fiona says
Can’t wait to try this! I just made your crockpot chicken enchilada recipe and it was a huge hit!!!! Thanks for the recipes!
kbarr428 says
Is your corn bread recipe anywhere on the site? Thanks!
Courtney says
I actually use this one! http://allrecipes.com/recipe/76594/grandmothers-buttermilk-cornbread/?pp=1&lnkid=pin2697&crlt.pid=camp.95BPKY8WwdkF
Kari says
I use canned baked beans in my chili and that’s the only way to go – No bean ‘bite’. Try it sometime!
Shaqueefa says
No one cares
Kari says
I do. :(
Andi says
looks like a good recipe, have to leave out the beans over here..nobody is a fan.
Thanks for sharing.
Carolyn says
I have made this twice already. So yummy and a hit with all 4 of my kids. I have it in the crockpot for dinner tonight and now I’m off to make your cinnamon chip scones:). Another one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing!
Courtney says
That’s so awesome! Thank YOU for sharing the feedback! :)