As the weather gets colder, we are starting to crave cosy, warming soups and stews and this Easy Ground Beef Chili for Stove or Slow Cooker is one of our favourites. It is consistently delicious, very easy to make and totally customisable to fit everyone’s preferences and dietary needs. Give it a go this Autumn and make it one of your family’s favourites too!
Ingredients needed to make Easy Ground Beef Chili for Stove or Slow Cooker
- 500g ground (minced) beef
- 2 x 400g tins tomatoes
- 1-2 onions
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 x 400g tins beans (black, pinto, white, kidney beans or a mixture)
- 500 ml bone broth
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp each ground cumin, ground coriander and dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pin it for later!
Ground Beef
This is the main part of the recipe, so it is important to get the best quality you can. I buy mine from the butchers as they have it on special offer every Wednesday. It ends up being cheaper than at the supermarket and a lot better quality. If you do get yours from the supermarket, try and get the ground beef with only 5% fat.
As a substitute, you can also used ground turkey. Ground pork is an option, but it is a lot fattier than ground beef so it would be a good idea to do 50 % beef and 50 % pork.
Tinned Tomatoes
When you are buying tinned tomatoes, be aware that there is often water added, which alters the taste. If possible, buy the brand with the smallest percentage of added water.
If you wish, you can used 500g fresh tomatoes instead.
Onions and Garlic
These are the staple for any soup or stew, and I use them a lot. You could replace them with onion and garlic powder, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Beans
I generally use tinned beans as they are so much more convenient, but you can of course use dried beans that you cook prior to adding them to your chili. I would suggest using 200g of dried beans and pressure cooking them for 30 mins with a bay leaf and some garlic. This method works for black, pinto and white beans.
As to which beans to use, I generally use a mixture of black, pinto, red kidney and white. It just depends on what I have to hand. If you are using red kidney beans, don’t forget to rinse them well before adding them to the pot!
Bone Broth
As always, I suggest you make your own. Here is an easy recipe for Chicken Bone Broth.
If you decide to buy some, make sure you are getting a brand that has only natural ingredients. You will also need to be careful about the amount of salt you add, as most shop bought broths are already salted.
Herbs and Spices
After years of making chili, I have settled on my favourite spice mix: smoked paprika, cumin, coriander and oregano. I do not add any chili as my children don’t appreciate the spice, but of course you can add as much or as little as you like!
Method for Making Easy Ground Beef Chili for Stove or Slow Cooker
There are two different ways that you can make this chili. They both give amazing results, it really depends on what you having going on that day. Do you need to get dinner ready quickly when you get home from work? Go for the stove top method and you will have delicious chili in under an hour. Are you going to be out all day and you want dinner to be ready when you get home? Try the slow cooker method and taste how much the flavour develops over 8 hours of cooking!
Stove Top Method
In a large saucepan or dutch oven, heat some olive oil and brown the meat until there is no pink left.
Add the chopped onions and minced garlic and continue frying until the onions are translucent.
Add the herbs and spices and fry for 2 more minutes.
Add the tomatoes, beans, stock and season with salt and pepper. Start with 1 tsp of salt if you are using unsalted broth, you can always adjust the seasoning later.
Bring to the boil and then reduce to a simmer. Let it simmer for 30 mins to 1 hr. The longer you leave it, the better the flavours will be. Chili is also even tastier when warmed up the next day!
Slow Cooker Method
First, heat some oil in a frying pan and brown the meat. When the meat is browned, add the onions and garlic and fry until the the onions are translucent. This step is optional but I recommend doing it as it improves the flavour of the final chili.
Add the meat mixture to the slow cooker, along with all the other ingredients. Season with 1 tsp of salt if you are using unsalted broth. You can adjust the seasoning later if needed.
Cook on low for 8 hours.
So, which method will you try?
Serving Easy Ground Beef Chili for Stove or Slow Cooker
This is where you can get really creative! I’m going to give you some of our favourite ideas for serving chili. Which ones will you try? Let me know in the comments!
Adding carbs:
- Rice – this really bulks out the chili and makes it go further if you have a crowd.
- Tortilla chips – we like to serve the chili as a soup and eat it with tortilla chips.
- Cornbread – I don’t make this often, but when I do, it goes down a treat!
- Sourdough bread – what could be better than dipping crusty sourdough bread into chili? Yum! Here is a recipe for a Simple Wholewheat Sourdough Loaf
- Baked potatoes – chili makes a delicious topping to baked potatoes, especially with some grated cheese on top.
Adding veggies:
- Avocado – this is a must in our house. Either guacamole or avocado slices will work.
- Chopped tomatoes – adding these brings a touch of freshness to the dish.
- Sauerkraut – as well as being delicious, this adds extra health benefits in the form of probiotics.
- Pickled onions – I love add these for their sweet and sharp flavour. You can follow my recipe for Quick and Easy Pickled Carrots and replace the carrots with a large red onion.
- Fermented jalapeños – I just recently tried this and they were amazing! They add so much flavour and a bit of heat for those who enjoy spice!
Adding dairy:
- Grated sharp cheddar cheese – despite living in France, with all of the delicious cheese options there are, I still love a good cheddar! And I really think that cheddar is the best cheese to eat with chili 🙂
- Crème fraîche or soured cream – a good dollop will make your chili even more luxurious and comforting.
Adding herbs:
When I can, I like to sprinkle my chili with chopped coriander and/or chopped spring onions. It brings a delicious, fresh flavour to the chili.
Food Allergies and Easy Ground Beef Chili for Stove or Slow Cooker
The wonderful thing about this dish is that it does not contain gluten or dairy, which is another reason why my family eats it so regularly. If you have members of your family or guests who suffer from food allergies, simply serve the different sides and toppings separately so that everyone can take what they want.
Rice and tortilla chips are a great side for making it gluten free, and if you need it to be dairy free, simply leave out the cheese and cream, it will still be just as delicious!
Pin it for later!
So, will you give this delicious chili recipe a go? It is so easy, so delicious and so comforting, I hope you will love it as much as we do! Let me know in the comments if you make it, I love to hear from you 🙂
Easy Ground Beef Chili for Stove or Slow Cooker
Ingredients
For the chili:
- 500 g ground minced beef
- 2 x 400 g tins tomatoes
- 1-2 onions
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 x 400 g tins beans black, pinto, white, kidney beans or a mixture
- 500 ml bone broth
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp each ground cumin ground coriander and dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Different options to serve:
- Rice
- Tortilla chips
- Cornbread
- Sourdough bread
- Baked potatoes
- Avocado
- Chopped tomatoes
- Sauerkraut
- Pickled onions
- Fermented jalapeños
- Grated sharp cheddar cheese
- Crème fraîche or soured cream
- Chopped coriander and/or spring onion
Instructions
Stove Top Method
- In a large saucepan or dutch oven, heat some olive oil and brown the meat until there is no pink left.
- Add the chopped onions and minced garlic and continue frying until the onions are translucent.
- Add the herbs and spices and fry for 2 more minutes.
- Add the tomatoes, beans, stock and season with salt and pepper. Start with 1 tsp of salt if you are using unsalted broth, you can always adjust the seasoning later.
- Bring to the boil and then reduce to a simmer. Let it simmer for 30 mins to 1 hr. The longer you leave it, the better the flavours will be. Chili is also even tastier when warmed up the next day!
Slow Cooker Method
- First, heat some oil in a frying pan and brown the meat. When the meat is browned, add the onions and garlic and fry until the the onions are translucent. This step is optional but I recommend doing it as it improves the flavour of the final chili.
- Add the meat to the slow cooker, along with all the other ingredients. Season with 1 tsp of salt if you are using unsalted broth. You can adjust the seasoning later if needed.
- Cook on low for 8 hours.
To Serve
- Serve with your choice of sides and toppings or set out a toppings bar so that everyone can help themselves!
Leave a Reply