The Easy Way to Make Chili in a Crock-Pot
The best versions of chili are simmered low and slow for hours, a method of cooking that produces the tenderest meat and richest, most flavorful sauce using only the essential ingredients and seasonings. Cook yours in a Crock-Pot, and you'll achieve all the characteristics of a great chili with the convenience of a hands-off approach. This recipe has everything you want in a pot of chili, but with the ease of a relatively short list of ingredients. Most are pantry staples that call for no more prep-work than opening a can or jar. Using cubed chuck instead of ground beef eliminates the step of browning the meat in a separate pan before adding it to the Crock-Pot, while also giving the chili an arguably superior flavor and texture. With just minutes of your time in the morning and this easy, one-pot recipe, you'll have a thick, steaming pot full of chili ready and waiting by dinnertime.
Total Time: 3 to 8 hours | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Serves: 6 to 8
Ingredients:
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (6-ounce can) tomato paste
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 pounds cubed chuck
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, or black or red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Directions:
- Add to the Crock-Pot the diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato paste, chili powder, garlic, salt and pepper. Use a whisk to blend the tomato paste and seasonings into the diced tomatoes as thoroughly as you can.
- Add the chuck, onion and beans to the pot, and stir to incorporate them into the wet ingredients.
- Cook the chili on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until the meat is very tender and soft. If you're home, stir the chili every few hours; otherwise just stir it thoroughly before serving.
Tip
- Some chili powders are hotter than others, so taste a little before adding it to the pot. If it's hot, reduce the amount to 1 to 2 tablespoons, or if it's very mild you can add a little more. If your family enjoys spicy chili, you can also add a minced jalapeno or a little cayenne pepper along with the chili powder. Cumin and paprika are also nice additions.
- The recipe is easily customized according to your preferences. You might like to add mushrooms, bell peppers or a can of mild green chilies. If you don't want the beans, just omit them.
- Serve the chili with a variety of toppings, such as sour cream, grated cheese, diced red or green onion, pickled jalapeno slices and crispy tortilla strips. Cornbread is a perfect side dish.
- If you have leftovers, use them for chili cheese fries, chili dogs, nachos, chili mac and cheese, or stuffed peppers.
