Making crockpot chili with dried beans is a delicious and hearty meal. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you:
Ingredients you'll need:
- 1 cup dried kidney beans (or any other type of beans you prefer)
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based alternative)
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 2 cups beef or vegetable broth
- 1 bell pepper, diced (any color you like)
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, adjust to your spice preference)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil
Instructions:
Prepare the dried beans: Rinse the dried beans in cold water, then place them in a large bowl and cover with water. Allow the beans to soak overnight (for about 8 hours). Alternatively, you can use the "quick soak" method by boiling the beans in water for 2 minutes, then removing from heat and letting them soak for 1 hour. After soaking, drain and rinse the beans.
Brown the ground beef: In a large skillet, heat a little olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until it's browned and crumbled. Drain any excess fat.
Saute onions and garlic: In the same skillet, sauté the diced onions until they become translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Combine ingredients in the crockpot: Transfer the cooked ground beef, sautéed onions, and garlic to the crockpot. Add the soaked and drained beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef or vegetable broth, and diced bell pepper.
Season the chili: Stir in the chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to your taste preferences.
Cook on low heat: Cover the crockpot and cook the chili on low heat for 6-8 hours or until the beans are tender. If you're in a hurry, you can cook it on high heat for 3-4 hours, but the flavors will develop better on low heat.
Adjust consistency and seasoning: If the chili is too thick, you can add more broth or water to achieve your desired consistency. Taste the chili and add more salt, pepper, or spices if needed.
Serve and enjoy: Once the chili is fully cooked, it's ready to serve! Ladle it into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, chopped green onions, sour cream, or cilantro.
Your crockpot chili with dried beans is now ready to be enjoyed. This recipe is perfect for making a large batch, and any leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator or frozen for later use.