Description
This Crock Pot Chili for Two is the perfect hearty and flavorful meal for a cozy night in. Made with ground beef, kidney beans, and a blend of spices, this easy slow cooker recipe requires minimal prep and delivers a rich, comforting chili simmered to perfection. Great for leftovers or a small household, it can be customized by adding your favorite vegetables or adjusting the thickness with water.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- ½ pound ground beef or other ground meat
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped or 1 tablespoon dry chopped onions
- 8 ounces canned tomato sauce
- 15.5 ounces canned dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup water (optional but recommended)
Instructions
- Brown the Meat and Sauté Onions and Garlic: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground meat. Stir constantly for about 2 minutes, then add the chopped onion. When the meat is nearly browned, after approximately 4 to 5 minutes from start, add the minced garlic. Continue cooking until the meat is fully browned. Drain any fat and transfer the meat mixture to a small crock pot.
- Prepare and Add Beans: Rinse and drain the canned kidney beans thoroughly. Add the beans directly into the crock pot with the browned meat.
- Add Remaining Ingredients and Cook: Pour in the tomato sauce, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, salt, black pepper, and water if using. Stir everything together well in the crock pot. Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours or on high heat for 4 hours to allow flavors to meld and chili to thicken.
Notes
- If you prefer a bean-free chili, substitute with diced vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or mushrooms which add texture and nutrition.
- For a thinner consistency, add about half a cup of water before cooking or during simmering.
- The chili powder and seasoning quantities can be adjusted to taste for more or less heat.
- This recipe is suitable for meal prepping as it tastes even better the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
