Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Regional Mexican Spices
A hearty slow-cooked beef chili featuring a blend of smoky and warm Mexican spices, perfect for a comforting meal. This mexican-inspired beef ready in about 255 minutes pairs ground beef, medium, diced onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 medium, diced onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 15 oz, drained and rinsed kidney beans
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and no pink remains.
- Step 3: Transfer the beef mixture to a slow cooker. Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 15 oz drained kidney beans, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 cup beef broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until flavors meld and chili thickens.
- Step 5: Before serving, stir and adjust seasoning with additional salt or chili powder if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Regional Mexican Spices take to make?
Total time is about 255 minutes (15 min prep + 240 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 Regional Mexican Spices?
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 Regional Mexican Spices?
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 Regional Mexican Spices 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Regional Mexican Spices?
Mexican 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.
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