Description
A hearty, comforting crockpot chili made with ground beef, sausage, beans, tomatoes, and bold spices. Perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying flavorful leftovers.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage (or spicy Italian sausage, or additional ground beef)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 30 ounces kidney beans, rinsed and drained (typically two 15‑oz cans)
- 15 ounces pinto beans, rinsed and drained (one 15‑oz can)
- 29 ounces diced tomatoes (including their juice)
- 3 ounces tomato paste
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or granulated sugar)
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage until mostly cooked through.
- Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet; cook until onion is translucent.
- Transfer the meat and vegetable mixture into a 6‑quart crockpot or slow cooker.
- Add the kidney beans and pinto beans to the crockpot.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato paste, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and hot sauce.
- Sprinkle in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar; stir to combine well.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, or on high for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Serve hot with toppings like cheese, sour cream, avocado, green onions, or tortilla chips.
Notes
- Chili thickens as it sits and often tastes better the next day.
- Customize the heat by adjusting cayenne and hot sauce levels.
- Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Add extra vegetables like corn or zucchini for variation.
- Great served in a bread bowl or over baked potatoes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
