Description
Discover the ultimate slow cooker chili recipe that promises rich flavors and hearty textures. Learn how to make the best chili for your next cozy meal!
Ingredients
- – 5 slices beef bacon (140 g)
- – 1 red bell pepper, finely diced (150 g)
- – 1 green bell pepper, finely diced (150 g)
- – 1/2 cup finely diced celery (120 g), 2 stalks
- – 1 cup finely diced yellow onion (160 g), 1 small onion
- – 1 small jalapeño, optional, finely diced
- – 6 ounces (170 g) tomato paste
- – 48 ounces (1360 g) chili beans (pinto beans in chili sauce), 3 cans of 16 ounces each
- – 56 ounces (1580 g) petite diced tomatoes, 2 cans of 28 ounces each
- – 2 pounds (900 g) ground beef (80/20)
- – 1 pound (450 g) beef sausage (mild or hot)
- – 4 tablespoons (60 ml) chili powder
- – 1 tablespoon (15 ml) dried oregano
- – 2 teaspoons (10 ml) cumin
- – 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried basil
- – 1 teaspoon (5 ml) seasoned salt
- – 3/4 teaspoon (4 ml) pepper
- – 1 teaspoon (5 ml) cayenne pepper, optional, see note 2
- – 1 teaspoon (5 ml) paprika
- – 1 tablespoon (15 ml) granulated sugar
- – 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
- – 3 beef bouillon cubes
- – Toppings as desired, see note 3
Instructions
- In a pan on medium heat, fry the beef bacon until it becomes crispy. Remove and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease. Set it aside.
- Keep the bacon fat in the pan. Add the diced red and green bell peppers, celery, yellow onion, and jalapeño. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they become soft, about 5–8 minutes. Incorporate the spices and tomato paste, cooking until they release their aroma, another 1–3 minutes. Move everything into the slow cooker.
- Pour the chili beans with their sauce, diced tomatoes with their juice, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and crumbled bouillon cubes into the slow cooker.
- Using the same pan, cook and break apart the ground beef and beef sausage over high heat. If necessary, brown the meat in batches to ensure it is in a single layer for proper searing, which enhances flavor. Cook until it is well browned. Drain any extra fat, then add the meat to the slow cooker along with the bacon. Mix everything thoroughly.
- Cover the slow cooker and let it cook on low for 6–8 hours.
- Taste and modify the seasonings (such as salt, pepper, and chili powder) if necessary. Serve with your choice of fresh cilantro, sour cream, and Cheddar cheese.
