Slow Cooker Beef and Sausage Chili
A hearty, classic crockpot chili built on browned beef and Italian sausage, two kinds of beans, and a deep, smoky tomato base. Better the next day, perfect for a crowd or game day.
Better the next day, perfect for a crowd or game day.
Nutrition · per serving
≈ estimated- Calories
- 595–597
- Protein
- 36.6–36.7g
- Carbs
- 48.6–48.9g
- Fat
- 29.9–30g
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb italian sausage
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 4 garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp oregano
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 15 oz kidney beans
- 15 oz pinto beans
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced
- 1 tsp adobo sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it into crumbles, until browned, about 10 minutes.
- 2
Add the ground beef to the same skillet and cook until no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Drain off most of the fat, leaving about 2 tablespoons for flavor, then transfer the meat to a 6-quart slow cooker.
- 3
In the same skillet, cook the onion, bell pepper, and garlic until softened and fragrant, about 6 minutes.
- 4
Stir the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano into the vegetables and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Scrape everything into the slow cooker.
- 5
To the slow cooker add the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, pinto beans, beef broth, chipotle peppers and sauce, bay leaves, brown sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
- 6
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.
- 7
Fish out and discard the bay leaves. Taste and adjust salt and heat. For a thicker chili, remove the lid and cook on high for the last 20 to 30 minutes.
- 8
Ladle into bowls and top with shredded cheddar, sour cream, diced onion, or sliced jalapenos.
