📖 Instructions

1. Prepare the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown 1 pound of ground beef. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease. (Trust me, you don’t want that extra fat in your chili!).
2. Sauté Aromatics: Add 1 diced onion and 2 cloves of minced garlic to the skillet with the browned beef. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is softened and translucent. The garlic should smell amazing at this point!
3. Transfer to Slow Cooker: Transfer the browned beef, onion, and garlic mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker. Make sure you choose a slow cooker that’s big enough; otherwise, you might have a mess on your hands.
4. Add Beans and Tomatoes: Add one 15-ounce can of kidney beans (drained and rinsed), one 15-ounce can of black beans (drained and rinsed), and one 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes to the slow cooker. Rinsing the beans helps reduce the sodium content and makes them easier to digest – a little tip my grandma taught me.
5. Incorporate Other Ingredients: Stir in one 15-ounce can of tomato sauce, 1 cup of beef broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option), 2 tablespoons of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat), and salt and pepper to taste. I personally like to add a pinch of cinnamon for warmth.
6. Mix Well: Stir all the ingredients together in the slow cooker until everything is well combined. You want to make sure the spices are evenly distributed.
7. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The longer it cooks, the more the flavors will meld together. I usually opt for low and slow, as it really enhances the depth of flavor.
8. Check for Doneness: After the cooking time is up, give the chili a good stir and taste it. Adjust the seasonings if needed. Maybe you want a little more salt, pepper, or chili powder? Now is the time to tweak it.
9. Serve and Enjoy: Serve hot, topped with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, avocado slices, or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt. A side of cornbread or tortilla chips is also a great addition. Oh, and don’t forget a sprinkle of fresh cilantro if you’re into that sort of thing!