Slow Cooker Chili with Mixed Beans

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-29 · Updated 2026-04-29

This american-inspired slow cooker 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 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 yellow onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 15 oz, drained and rinsed kidney beans
• 15 oz, drained and rinsed black beans
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned, breaking up meat with a spoon.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet with the beef, cooking for 4-5 minutes until onions are translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Transfer beef mixture to a slow cooker. Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 15 oz kidney beans (drained and rinsed), 15 oz black beans (drained and rinsed), and 1 cup beef broth.
4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper until well combined.
5. Step 5: Cover slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until flavors meld and chili thickens.
6. Step 6: Serve warm with your favorite chili toppings like shredded cheese or sour cream if desired.