Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Black Beans and Chipotle

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A smoky and spicy beef chili slow-cooked with black beans, chipotle peppers, and a blend of warm spices for deep flavor. This mexican-inspired beef (gluten free) ready in about 375 minutes pairs ground beef, yellow onion, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 360 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 lb ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 7-8 minutes until browned and no pink remains.
  3. Step 3: Transfer the beef mixture to a slow cooker. Add 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 cup beef broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
  4. Step 4: Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until flavors meld and chili thickens.
  5. Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Serve hot with your favorite chili toppings.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Black Beans and Chipotle take to make?

Total time is about 375 minutes (15 min prep + 360 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Black Beans and Chipotle?

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 Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Black Beans and Chipotle?

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 Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Black Beans and Chipotle 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.

Is Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Black Beans and Chipotle gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

What others are saying

Related recipes