📖 Instructions

1. Gather Your Ingredients: First things first, collect all your ingredients. You'll need ground beef (or a vegetarian substitute), diced onions, bell peppers, canned tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Don't forget a bay leaf – it adds a certain je ne sais quoi!
2. Brown the Meat (Optional): In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease. If you're short on time (or just feeling lazy – no judgement here!), you can skip this step and add the ground beef directly to the slow cooker. However, browning the meat first adds a deeper, richer flavor, trust me. It's worth the extra effort.
3. Chop the Veggies: Dice the onions and bell peppers into small, even pieces. Mince the garlic (or use pre-minced – again, no judgement!).
4. Layer in the Slow Cooker: Add the browned ground beef (or uncooked ground beef), diced onions, bell peppers, minced garlic, canned tomatoes (undrained), kidney beans (drained and rinsed), chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and bay leaf to the slow cooker. The order doesn't really matter, as long as everything ends up in there.
5. Stir It Up: Give everything a good stir to combine all the ingredients evenly. Make sure the spices are well distributed.
6. Cook on Low: 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. The chili should be thick and fragrant when it's ready.
7. Taste and Adjust: After the chili has cooked, give it a taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Add more chili powder for extra heat, more cumin for earthiness, or more salt and pepper to taste.
8. Remove Bay Leaf: Before serving, don't forget to remove the bay leaf.
9. Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the chili into bowls and top with your favorite toppings. Some suggestions include shredded cheese, sour cream, a dollop of Greek yogurt, chopped green onions, avocado slices, crushed tortilla chips, or a drizzle of hot sauce. Serve with cornbread or crackers for dipping.