Slow Cooker Popular Beef Chili with Black Beans
Hearty slow-cooked beef chili simmered with black beans and spices, perfect for a comforting crowd-pleaser. This latin american-inspired beef ready in about 375 minutes pairs 85% lean ground beef, (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans, (14.5 oz), undrained 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, 85% lean ground beef
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans
- 1 can (14.5 oz), undrained diced tomatoes
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium onion and 3 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 3: Transfer the beef mixture to a slow cooker. Stir in 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, 1 can (14.5 oz) undrained diced tomatoes, 1 cup beef broth, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until flavors are well blended and chili is thickened.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Popular Beef Chili with Black Beans 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 Popular Beef Chili with Black Beans?
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 85% lean ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Popular Beef Chili with Black Beans?
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 Popular Beef Chili with Black Beans 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 Popular Beef Chili with Black Beans?
Latin 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.
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