Slow Cooker Kansas-Style Beef Chili with Regional Heat
A rich slow cooked beef chili inspired by Kansas regional flavors, featuring smoky chili powder and hearty beans. This american-inspired beef ready in about 440 minutes pairs ground beef, large, diced yellow onion, minced 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
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can, drained and rinsed kidney beans
- 1 (15 oz) can, 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1.5 lbs ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer cooked beef to the slow cooker.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 large diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add to the slow cooker.
- Step 3: To the slow cooker, add 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes with juices, 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans (drained and rinsed), 1 (15 oz) can black beans (drained and rinsed), 1 cup beef broth, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until flavors are deeply melded and chili is thickened. Stir occasionally if possible.
- Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning before serving with your favorite chili toppings.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Kansas-Style Beef Chili with Regional Heat take to make?
Total time is about 440 minutes (20 min prep + 420 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 Kansas-Style Beef Chili with Regional Heat?
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 ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Kansas-Style Beef Chili with Regional Heat?
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 Kansas-Style Beef Chili with Regional Heat 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 Cooker Kansas-Style Beef Chili with Regional Heat?
American 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.
