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Cozy Crockpot Football Chili with Three Beans: Easy 3-Bean Recipe

Cozy Crockpot Football Chili with Three Beans - featured image
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This no-fuss, dump-and-go chili is packed with three types of beans, ground beef, and a smoky, rich flavor that develops over hours in the slow cooker. Perfect for game day or a cozy night in, it’s a crowd-pleaser that comes together with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20) or ground turkey
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted preferred)
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth (or chicken broth)
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or sweet paprika)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, crushed tortilla chips or Fritos

Instructions

  1. Brown the meat (optional but recommended): Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until no longer pink (6-8 minutes). Drain excess fat. If skipping, add raw beef directly to Crockpot.
  2. Prep the aromatics: Dice the onion and mince the garlic.
  3. Combine everything in the Crockpot: Add browned beef (or raw beef), diced onion, minced garlic, diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, tomato paste, and beef broth. Stir until tomato paste is mostly dissolved.
  4. Add the beans and spices: Drain and rinse all three cans of beans. Add to pot. Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne (if using), salt (about 1 tsp), and pepper (about 1/2 tsp). Stir well.
  5. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Longer cooking develops more flavor.
  6. Check the seasoning: About 30 minutes before serving, taste and adjust salt, sugar (to balance acidity), or extra chili powder as needed.
  7. Thicken if desired: If chili is too thin, mash some beans against the pot with a fork, or stir in a slurry of 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water. Cook 10 more minutes.
  8. Serve and enjoy: Ladle into bowls and top with desired garnishes.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and add an extra can of beans or 1 cup cooked lentils; use vegetable broth. For a smokier flavor, add 1 teaspoon liquid smoke. Chili tastes even better the next day. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: chili, crockpot chili, slow cooker chili, three bean chili, football chili, game day chili, easy chili, ground beef chili, bean chili

Find it online: https://clunkcook.com/cozy-crockpot-football-chili-with-three-beans-easy-3-bean-recipe/