Slow-cooker chili con carne
This recipe delivers a hearty slow-cooker chili con carne, perfect for a comforting meal with minimal effort. It combines diced beef, fresh vegetables, tomatoes, beans, and classic chili spices, slow-cooked to tender perfection, serving up to 8 people.
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Chef's knife
- 1 Box Grater For carrot and zucchini
- 1 Can Opener
Ingredients
Main
- 500 g diced beef
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 medium-sized carrot grated
- 1/2 zucchini grated
- 1 tin diced tomatoes
- 1 tin tomato sauce
- 1 tin beans
- 1 chipotle pepper
- 1 tbs paprika
- 1 tbs cumin
- 2 tbs oregano leaves
Instructions
- Finely chop the onion, and grate the carrot and zucchini.
- Add the diced beef, chopped onion, grated carrot, and grated zucchini to the slow cooker.
- Pour in the tinned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tinned beans (drained).
- Add the chipotle pepper, paprika, cumin, and oregano leaves to the slow cooker.
- Stir all ingredients thoroughly to combine.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on a low setting for 6-8 hours, or on a high setting for 3-4 hours, until the beef is tender.
- Stir occasionally during cooking if desired, but it's not strictly necessary.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.
Notes
For enhanced flavor, consider searing the diced beef in a hot pan until browned before adding it to the slow cooker; this caramelizes the exterior and builds a deeper umami foundation. Similarly, lightly sautéing the chopped onion, grated carrot, and zucchini for a few minutes can mellow their raw edge and unlock more flavor. The chipotle pepper provides smoky heat; adjust the quantity to your preference, or for a richer, more complex smoky note, consider using chipotle in adobo. Allowing the chili to rest on 'warm' for an hour or two after cooking can further meld and deepen the flavors. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese, and fresh cilantro for a complete meal.