Slow Cooker Chili With Beef, Beans & Bacon
A cozy, protein-packed slow cooker chili made with ground beef, bacon, black beans, kidney beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, and a touch of honey and maple syrup. It makes a big batch, feeds a crowd, and is perfect for easy fall dinners.
Equipment
- slow cooker
- large skillet
- cutting board
- knife
- wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 2 lb ground beef
- 2 medium onions diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- About 1/2 cup pre-cooked bacon crumbles
- 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 can kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 small cans diced green chiles
- 32 oz beef broth
- 1 packet Kinder’s Chili Seasoning
- Kinder’s The Blend to taste
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and season with Kinder’s The Blend.
- Cook the beef, breaking it apart as it browns.
- Add the diced onions and minced garlic and cook until the onions are softened, about 4–6 minutes.
- Drain excess grease if needed, then transfer the beef mixture to the slow cooker.
- Add the bacon crumbles, black beans, kidney beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, green chiles, Kinder’s Chili Seasoning, and beef broth. Stir well.
- Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 5–6 hours.
- About 1 hour before serving, stir in the honey and maple syrup.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, sweetness, salt, or pepper as needed.
- Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Start with the listed honey and maple syrup amounts, then adjust to taste.
You can leave out the bacon if you want.
Either bean can be doubled if you only want to use one variety.
For toppings, I’d suggest shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, green onion, tortilla chips, cornbread, or sourdough. Calories are an estimate and will vary based on ingredients and serving size, not including added toppings.
You can leave out the bacon if you want.
Either bean can be doubled if you only want to use one variety.
For toppings, I’d suggest shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, green onion, tortilla chips, cornbread, or sourdough. Calories are an estimate and will vary based on ingredients and serving size, not including added toppings.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!