Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Roasted Chipotle Peppers
A hearty slow-cooked chili featuring tender beef and smoky roasted chipotle peppers for a rich, spicy flavor. This mexican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 375 minutes turns ground beef, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 peppers, chopped roasted chipotle peppers in adobo
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed kidney beans
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking it apart until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 2: Transfer the browned beef to a slow cooker. In the same skillet, add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 4 minutes until translucent. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the sautéed onion and garlic to the slow cooker along with 2 chopped roasted chipotle peppers, 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1 cup beef broth, 1 can (15 oz) drained kidney beans, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Stir all ingredients in the slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours until flavors meld and beef is tender.
- Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if desired before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Roasted Chipotle Peppers 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 Roasted Chipotle Peppers?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Roasted Chipotle Peppers?
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 Roasted Chipotle Peppers 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 Roasted Chipotle Peppers?
Mexican 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.
