Slow Cooker Jalapeño Popper Chili Without Dairy
A spicy, hearty chili packed with jalapeños and savory beef, perfect for freezer meals and Whole30-approved by omitting dairy. This american-inspired whole30 (whole30) ready in about 375 minutes pairs pound ground beef, diced tomatoes, canned, tomato paste for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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 pound ground beef
- 14 oz diced tomatoes, canned
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 medium jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 pound ground beef, cooking and breaking it apart for 5-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
- Step 2: Transfer the browned beef to the slow cooker, then add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 diced jalapeño peppers (seeded), 1 diced yellow onion, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Stir to combine.
- Step 3: Pour in 1 cup chicken broth, then season with 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until flavors meld and chili thickens. Serve hot or freeze for later.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Jalapeño Popper Chili Without Dairy 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 Cooker Jalapeño Popper Chili Without Dairy?
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 pound ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Jalapeño Popper Chili Without Dairy?
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 Cooker Jalapeño Popper Chili Without Dairy 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.
Is Slow Cooker Jalapeño Popper Chili Without Dairy whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30 based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
