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Healthy Crockpot Chili with Ground Beef & Kidney Beans

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This healthy crockpot chili with ground beef and kidney beans is a simple, comforting meal that’s packed with flavor and nutrition. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it recipe perfect for busy days, delivering a hearty and satisfying dish the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef (93/7)
  • 2 cans (15 oz / 425g each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (14.5 oz / 411g) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 can (8 oz / 227g) tomato sauce
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons (16g) chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon (3g) cumin
  • 1 teaspoon (3g) smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon (1g) dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 cup (240ml) low-sodium beef broth
  • Optional toppings: Greek yogurt, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, lime juice

Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lean ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink (about 6-8 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: Add the diced onion to the skillet with the beef. Cook for about 2 minutes until the onion starts to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Season the Meat: Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper over the beef mixture. Stir and cook for about 1 minute to toast the spices.
  4. Transfer to Crockpot: Pour the seasoned beef and onion mixture into a 6-quart crockpot.
  5. Add Canned Goods: Add the drained and rinsed kidney beans, undrained diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Stir to combine.
  6. Add Broth: Pour in the low-sodium beef broth and stir again. The liquid should just barely cover the solids.
  7. Cook Low and Slow: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
  8. Taste and Adjust: About 30 minutes before serving, taste the chili and adjust seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or a pinch of cayenne for extra heat.
  9. Serve: Ladle the chili into bowls and top with desired toppings like Greek yogurt, shredded cheddar, green onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Notes

For best flavor, don’t skip browning the beef and toasting the spices. Drain and rinse canned beans to control sodium. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain heat. If chili is too thin, mash some beans against the pot to thicken. This chili tastes even better the next day as flavors meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: healthy chili, crockpot chili, ground beef chili, kidney beans, slow cooker chili, easy chili recipe, comfort food, high protein chili

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/healthy-crockpot-chili-with-ground-beef-and-kidney-beans/