Slow Cooker Colorado-Style Beef and Black Bean Chili

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-03 · Updated 2026-08-03

Hearty slow-cooked chili with tender beef, black beans, and a blend of southwestern spices inspired by Colorado flavors. This American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 375 minutes, pairs ground beef, black beans, diced tomatoes 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 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 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until browned and no longer pink.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 1 medium diced green bell pepper, and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture to a slow cooker. Add 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, and 1 cup beef broth.
4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until well combined.
5. Step 5: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until flavors meld and beef is tender.
6. Step 6: Serve hot with optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions.