Description

This Crockpot Chili Con Carne is a hearty and flavorful slow-cooked stew featuring extra lean ground beef, beans, and a rich tomato base seasoned with chili powder and classic herbs. Perfect for cozy family meals, it combines tender meat and vegetables cooked to perfection in the crockpot, allowing all the robust flavors to meld together over several hours.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

3 lbs. extra lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced

Tomato and Beans

1 28 oz. can tomato sauce
1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
1 10.75 oz. can tomato soup
2 14 oz. cans beans in tomato sauce
1 15 oz. can kidney beans, rinsed

Spices and Seasonings

2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon dried oregano
½ tablespoon dried basil
1 teaspoon salt

Garnishes

Sour cream
Grated cheese
Sliced green onions

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Brown the beef: In a large skillet, cook the extra lean ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Stir and fry for about 5 minutes until the beef begins to brown but is not yet fully cooked.
Add vegetables: Add the chopped onion, green pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Continue cooking and stirring frequently for another 5 minutes until the beef is browned completely and no longer pink, and the vegetables have softened.
Transfer to crockpot: Once the beef and vegetables are cooked, transfer the entire mixture into the crockpot to prepare for slow cooking.
Add remaining ingredients: Pour in the tomato sauce, drained diced tomatoes, tomato soup, beans in tomato sauce, rinsed kidney beans, chili powder, dried oregano, dried basil, and salt. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
Cook the chili: Set the crockpot to high and cook the chili for 3 to 4 hours, or alternatively set it to low and cook for 6 to 7 hours. This slow cooking allows flavors to deepen and ingredients to tenderize.
Serve with garnishes: Once cooked, ladle the chili into bowls and serve topped with your choice of sour cream, grated cheese, and sliced green onions for added creaminess, texture, and flavor.

Notes

For a thicker chili, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow some liquid to evaporate.
You can substitute ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative to ground beef.
Rinse canned beans thoroughly to reduce sodium content if desired.
Adjust chili powder according to preferred spice level.
This chili freezes well; store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 months.