Easy Slow-Cooker Beef Chili Recipe for Busy Families

Chili pepper

The slow cooker changes tough cuts of beef into soft, tasty bites. This chili uses inexpensive stew meat and makes eight bowls that stay warm all week.

Active time: 20 minutes | Total time: 8 hours 20 minutes

Slow Cooker Beef Chili

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ Tbsp canola oil
  • 1 ½ lb (680 g) beef stew meat, cut into ¾‑inch cubes
  • 3 cups (720 g) unsalted beef broth
  • 2 cups (320 g) chopped onion
  • 6 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 2 Tbsp chopped chipotle chilies in adobo sauce
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 3 cans (15.5 oz each) reduced‑sodium pinto beans, drained
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) no‑salt diced tomatoes, with liquid
  • ½ cup reduced‑fat sour cream
  • ½ cup thinly sliced radishes
  • ½ cup chopped green onions
  • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium‑high heat. Add oil and swirl.
  2. Put the beef in the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until all sides are brown, about 6‑8 minutes.
  3. Transfer the beef to a 6‑quart slow cooker.
  4. Add broth, onion, garlic, chili powder, chipotle chilies, salt, and the tomatoes. Stir well.
  5. Cover and set the cooker to low. Cook for 7‑8 hours, until the meat is very tender.
  6. About 30 minutes before it’s done, stir in the drained beans. Let them heat through.
  7. Spoon the chili into bowls. Top each serving with a spoonful of sour cream, radishes, green onions, and cilantro.

Serves: 8 (about 1 ¼ cups per serving plus 1 Tbsp sour cream)

Nutrition per serving: 365 kcal, 15 g fat, 31 g carbs, 25 g protein, 8 g fiber, 544 mg sodium.