Slow Cooker Tex-Mex Beef Chili with Roasted Corn

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-09 · Updated 2026-07-09

About the author — Lauren Mitchell is the Test Kitchen Director at AislePrompt, with over a decade of professional kitchen experience spanning recipe development, culinary technique testing, and hands-on evaluation of cooking methods across hundreds of tested dishes. Every recipe in the AislePrompt catalog is cooked at least twice before publication. Full author profile →

Hearty slow-cooked beef chili infused with smoky spices and sweet roasted corn, perfect for a comforting meal. This Latin American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 255 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 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 240 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 medium, diced yellow onion
4, minced garlic cloves
1 cup roasted corn kernels
14 oz canned diced tomatoes
1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed kidney beans
1 cup beef broth
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and 1 medium diced yellow onion. Cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking up the beef, until browned and onions are translucent.
Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until spices are fragrant.
Step 3: Transfer the beef mixture to a slow cooker. Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1 cup roasted corn kernels, 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed kidney beans, and 1 cup beef broth. Stir to combine.
Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chili thickens and flavors meld beautifully.
Step 5: Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow Cooker Tex-Mex Beef Chili with Roasted Corn take to make?

Total time is about 255 minutes (15 min prep + 240 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 Tex-Mex Beef Chili with Roasted Corn?

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 Tex-Mex Beef Chili with Roasted Corn?

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 Tex-Mex Beef Chili with Roasted Corn 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 Tex-Mex Beef Chili with Roasted Corn?

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.