Four-Day Slow Cooker Beef Chili with Michigan Maple Syrup
A rich, slow-cooked beef chili subtly sweetened with pure Michigan maple syrup, perfect for team gatherings or game day events. This american-inspired beef ready in about 5780 minutes pairs ground beef, large, diced yellow onion, medium, diced green bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 28 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 15 oz, drained and rinsed kidney beans
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp pure Michigan maple syrup
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup beef broth
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown 2 lbs ground beef for 6-8 minutes until fully cooked and no pink remains, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Step 2: Transfer the browned beef to a 6-quart slow cooker, then add 1 large diced yellow onion, 1 medium diced green bell pepper, and 4 cloves minced garlic.
- Step 3: Stir in 28 oz canned diced tomatoes, 15 oz drained kidney beans, 3 tbsp chili powder, 2 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp pure Michigan maple syrup, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 cup beef broth.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 4 days (approximately 96 hours), stirring once every 24 hours to allow flavors to deepen and meld.
- Step 5: Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with your favorite chili toppings.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Four-Day Slow Cooker Beef Chili with Michigan Maple Syrup take to make?
Total time is about 5780 minutes (20 min prep + 5760 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Four-Day Slow Cooker Beef Chili with Michigan Maple Syrup?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Four-Day Slow Cooker Beef Chili with Michigan Maple Syrup?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Four-Day Slow Cooker Beef Chili with Michigan Maple Syrup for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Four-Day Slow Cooker Beef Chili with Michigan Maple Syrup?
American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
