Texas-style chili with beans in a slow cooker

Oh yes 😋—Texas-Style Chili with Beans in a Slow Cooker is hearty, smoky, and perfect for a set-it-and-forget-it meal. Here’s a full recipe that’s rich, flavorful, and slow-cooked to perfection:

🌶️ Texas-Style Chili with Beans (Slow Cooker)

Ingredients

• 2 lbs (900 g) ground beef (or a mix of ground beef and stew meat)

• 1 large onion, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 cans (14.5 oz / 400 g each) diced tomatoes

• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) pinto beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 cup beef broth

• 2–3 Tbsp chili powder (adjust to taste)

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1–2 tsp brown sugar (optional, balances acidity)

• 1–2 Tbsp tomato paste (optional, for richness)

Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, avocado slices

Instructions

1. Brown the meat

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef with onions until beef is browned and onions are softened. Drain excess fat.

2. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

2. Transfer to slow cooker

• Add cooked beef and onions to the slow cooker.

• Stir in diced tomatoes, beans, beef broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper, oregano, brown sugar, and tomato paste. Mix well.

3. Cook low and slow

• Cover and cook on low 6–8 hours or high 3–4 hours.

• Stir occasionally if possible.

4. Adjust flavors

• Taste near the end of cooking. Add more salt, chili powder, or cayenne if needed.

• If chili is too thick, add a little extra broth or water.

5. Serve

• Ladle into bowls and top with shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, or cilantro.

• Serve with cornbread, tortilla chips, or warm bread.

Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Chili

• Beans: Use canned beans to keep the texture creamy; if using dry beans, soak and pre-cook first.

• Smoky depth: Smoked paprika or a dash of liquid smoke gives authentic Texas flavor.

• Meat variety: Chuck or stew meat chunks add extra richness alongside ground beef.

• Consistency: Slow cooker chili thickens as it sits; add more liquid if needed when reheating.

This chili is rich, smoky, and hearty, with tender meat and creamy beans—the ultimate slow-cooked comfort food.

If you want, I can also give a spicier “true Texas-style chili” version that skips beans entirely for the purists