Slow Cooker Texas-Style Beef Chili with Beans
Hearty beef chili simmered low and slow with a blend of chili spices and beans, delivering rich, deep Texas-inspired flavors with minimal effort. This american-inspired beef ready in about 255 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 8, 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
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 can (28 oz) canned diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed kidney beans
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans
- 1 cup beef broth
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp (optional for heat) cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 large diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 2 lbs ground beef to the skillet along with 3 tbsp chili powder, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper if using. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 8 minutes.
- Step 3: Transfer the beef mixture to a slow cooker. Add 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes with juices, 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans drained and rinsed, 1 can (15 oz) black beans drained and rinsed, 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. Stir before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Texas-Style Beef Chili with Beans 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 Texas-Style Beef Chili with 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 ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Texas-Style Beef Chili with 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 Texas-Style Beef Chili with Beans for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Texas-Style Beef Chili with Beans?
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.
