Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Smoky Chipotle and Cumin
Hearty slow-cooked beef chili infused with smoky chipotle peppers and warm cumin, perfect for a comforting meal. This mexican-inspired beef ready in about 255 minutes turns ground beef, large, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves 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 320 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
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 peppers, chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 2 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 15 oz can, drained and rinsed kidney beans
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 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 large diced yellow onion and sauté for 4 minutes until softened. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up with a spoon until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 3: Transfer the beef mixture to a slow cooker. Stir in 2 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 15 oz drained kidney beans, and 1 cup beef broth.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until flavors meld and chili thickens. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Smoky Chipotle and Cumin 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 Smoky Chipotle and Cumin?
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 Smoky Chipotle and Cumin?
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 Smoky Chipotle and Cumin 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 Smoky Chipotle and Cumin?
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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