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Slow Cooker Beef and Black Bean Chili
Gluten Free
American

Slow Cooker Beef and Black Bean Chili

A rich, smoky, and incredibly hearty beef chili made effortless in your slow cooker. Perfect for busy weeknights and cozy weekends.
Gluten Free
American

Slow Cooker Beef and Black Bean Chili

A rich, smoky, and incredibly hearty beef chili made effortless in your slow cooker. Perfect for busy weeknights and cozy weekends.

6 hours 15 mins

Prep Time

6 hours

Cook Time

easy

Level

Serves 6

Servings

6 hours 15 mins

Prep Time

6 hours

Cook Time

easy

Level

Serves 6

Servings

The Ultimate Set-It-And-Forget-It Comfort Meal

There is nothing quite like walking through the front door after a long day to the aroma of a savory, simmering stew. This Slow Cooker Beef and Black Bean Chili is designed for those who want deep, complex flavors without spending hours standing over a hot stove. While many chili recipes rely on kidney beans, we’ve opted for black beans here. They offer a creamier texture and an earthy sweetness that perfectly complements the robust spices and savory beef.

Why This Recipe Works

The beauty of slow cooking lies in the breakdown of fibers and the melding of spices. By letting the beef, aromatics, and beans mingle on low heat for several hours, you achieve a level of flavor depth that a quick stovetop simmer simply can’t replicate. We’ve balanced the heat of chili powder with the smokiness of cumin and paprika to create a profile that is family-friendly but far from boring.

This recipe is also a nutritional powerhouse. Packed with lean protein from the beef and fiber from the black beans, it’s a meal that actually keeps you full. It is naturally gluten-free and works perfectly for meal prep, as the flavors only get better after a night in the refrigerator. Whether you’re feeding a crowd for game day or just looking for a reliable Tuesday night dinner, this chili is a guaranteed winner.

The Importance of Browning

If you have five extra minutes, don’t skip browning the beef in a skillet before adding it to your crockpot. This creates a Maillard reaction—the golden-brown crust that adds a savory, umami punch to the entire pot. It’s the difference between a good chili and a great chili. Once that’s done, you simply toss everything else in and let the slow cooker work its magic.

Ingredients

  • lean ground beef
    1
    lb
  • yellow onion
    1
    medium
  • garlic
    3
    cloves
  • red bell pepper
    1
    whole
  • black beans
    2
    cans
  • crushed tomatoes
    1
    can
  • beef broth
    1
    cup
  • chili powder
    2
    tbsp
  • ground cumin
    1
    tbsp
  • smoked paprika
    1
    tsp
  • salt
    1/2
    tsp
  • black pepper
    1/4
    tsp

Tips

  1. Turkey & Black Bean Chili: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey for a leaner, lighter alternative.

  2. Vegetarian Power Chili: Omit the beef and add extra black beans, a can of pinto beans, and diced sweet potatoes.

  3. Sweet & Smoky: Add a tablespoon of brown sugar and a dash of cinnamon for a Cincinnati-style flavor twist.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This chili also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months; just thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating on the stove.

Steps:

Brown the Beef

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion and garlic. Break the meat apart with a spoon and cook until the beef is fully browned and the onions are translucent. Drain any excess grease.

Load the Slow Cooker

Transfer the beef mixture into your slow cooker. Add the chopped bell pepper, rinsed black beans, crushed tomatoes, beef broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

Stir and Combine

Stir everything together until well combined. Ensure the beef is evenly distributed throughout the liquids.

Slow Cook

Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. The chili is ready when the peppers are tender and the flavors have fully melded.

Season and Serve

Give the chili a final stir and taste. Adjust salt or spices if needed. Serve hot in bowls with your favorite toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, or fresh cilantro.

Nutritions

  • Calories

    345 kcal

    Energy

    1443 kJ

    Protein

    26 g

    Fat

    11 g

    Carbohydrates

    38 g

    Fiber

    11 g

    Sugars

    6 g

    Salt

    1.1 g

Recipe Variations

This recipe is easy to adapt to your taste. Try one of the variations below to change the flavor or ingredients.

  1. Turkey & Black Bean Chili: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey for a leaner, lighter alternative.

  2. Vegetarian Power Chili: Omit the beef and add extra black beans, a can of pinto beans, and diced sweet potatoes.

  3. Sweet & Smoky: Add a tablespoon of brown sugar and a dash of cinnamon for a Cincinnati-style flavor twist.

FAQ

Technically yes, but it is highly recommended to brown it first. Browning adds texture and a much deeper flavor profile that simmering alone cannot achieve.
As written, this is a mild-to-medium chili. The chili powder provides warmth without intense heat. To make it milder, reduce the chili powder to 1 tablespoon.
If using dry black beans, you must soak them overnight and pre-cook them slightly before adding them to the slow cooker, as they may not soften completely in the acidic tomato environment.