Garage Sale Chili: Smoky Beef & Bean Stew with Cornbread Croutons
A hearty, slow-simmered chili inspired by vintage garage sale finds, layered with smoky depth and sweet cornbread crunch. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 60 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz), drained kidney beans
- 1 can (15 oz), drained black beans
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
- 1 cup, fresh or frozen corn kernels
- 1 slice, crumbled cornbread
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high. Add ground beef, breaking into small pieces, and cook until browned (8-10 minutes). Drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper; cook 5 minutes until softened. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, diced tomatoes, and broth. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 3: Add kidney beans, black beans, and corn; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and chili thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Preheat oven to 350°F. Toss crumbled cornbread with 1 tbsp water and spread on a baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes until golden and crisp. Top chili with cornbread croutons, cilantro, and cheddar before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garage Sale Chili: Smoky Beef & Bean Stew with Cornbread Croutons take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 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 Garage Sale Chili: Smoky Beef & Bean Stew with Cornbread Croutons?
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 Garage Sale Chili: Smoky Beef & Bean Stew with Cornbread Croutons?
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 Garage Sale Chili: Smoky Beef & Bean Stew with Cornbread Croutons for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Garage Sale Chili: Smoky Beef & Bean Stew with Cornbread Croutons?
American slow cooker 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
