The article provides a recipe for slow-cooker chili, which is a perfect dish for the colder seasons. The ingredients include ground beef or turkey, kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, bell peppers, onion, garlic, and spices. The recipe involves browning the meat, adding the ingredients to the slow-cooker, and cooking on low heat for 6-8 hours. Optional ingredients such as corn or green chilies can be added for variation, and the spiciness levels can be adjusted. The article suggests garnishing the chili with cheese, sour cream, green onions, and cilantro.

Slow-Cooker Chili – A Hearty Meal to Warm You Up

Introduction:

Fall and winter seasons call for warm and hearty meals to keep us comfortable and energized. Chili is one such dish that soothes our soul and fills our stomachs. While the traditional stovetop chili recipe is great, it may require more attention and time to cook. This is where a slow-cooker comes handy. Slow-cooker chili requires minimal effort and time, yet the deliciousness it brings is unbeatable.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef or turkey
• 1 can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can of diced tomatoes (14 oz)
• 1 can of tomato sauce (8 oz)
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons of chili powder
• 1 tablespoon of cumin
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
• Ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

Step 1: Brown the meat

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef or turkey over medium heat until it’s no longer pink. Drain the excess fat and transfer the meat to a slow-cooker.

Step 2: Add the beans and vegetables

Add the drained and rinsed kidney beans and black beans into the slow-cooker. Add the chopped green and red bell pepper, chopped onion, and minced garlic to the mix.

Step 3: Pour in the tomato products and seasoning

Open the can of diced tomatoes and pour it over the ingredients in the slow-cooker. Add the entire can of tomato sauce as well. Gently stir the mixture. Add chili powder, cumin, salt, red pepper flakes and ground black pepper to the mix. Mix well.

Step 4: Cook on low setting

Set the slow-cooker to the low setting and cook for 6-8 hours. Alternatively, you can set it on high for 3-4 hours, but the low and slow cooking helps to meld the flavors together more thoroughly.

Step 5: Serve and enjoy

Your slow-cooker chili is now ready to be served. You can garnish it with shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro. Serve a side of cornbread or crackers to complete the meal.

Tips:

• You can substitute ground beef/turkey with ground chicken or venison for variation.
• Adjust the chili powder and red pepper flakes to your preferred level of spiciness.
• You can add a can of corn or diced green chilies to add different flavors to the chili.
• Cooking the chili on low-heat for longer duration brings out the best of it. However, if you don’t have the luxury of time, you can always cook it on high heat for a shorter duration.

Conclusion:

Slow-cooker chili is a simple and hearty recipe that takes minimal effort and delivers maximum flavor. With the right ingredients and some patience, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal for your family and friends. Give this recipe a try and impress your taste buds and loved ones.