Delicious & Easy Crock Pot Three Bean Chili: A Flavor-Packed Slow Cooker Recipe from Real Food Slow Cooker Suppers
Get ready to elevate your weeknight dinners with this incredible **Crock Pot Three Bean Chili**! This recipe isn’t just easy; it’s bursting with rich, smoky flavors and wholesome ingredients, all cooked to perfection right in your slow cooker. It’s the kind of comforting meal that brings warmth and joy to your table, perfect for a cozy evening at home.
I am beyond thrilled to finally share this recipe with you today! I’ve been eagerly working on this post for several weeks, and the day has finally arrived. This fantastic dish comes from the brand new cookbook by my dear friend, Samantha, from Five Heart Home. Her cookbook launched a few weeks ago, and I couldn’t wait to dive in and share one of her delicious creations that perfectly embodies the essence of “real food” cooking.
Discovering “Real Food Slow Cooker Suppers”: A Must-Have Cookbook for Your Kitchen
The cookbook is titled **Real Food Slow Cooker Suppers**, and I wholeheartedly believe it’s a culinary essential you NEED in your kitchen! I’ve already prepared several crock pot meals from its pages, and I’m completely smitten with every single one. What truly sets this cookbook apart is Samantha’s unwavering commitment to using only real, fresh, unprocessed ingredients. You won’t find any canned soups or highly processed items here – just wholesome goodness that makes you feel great about what you’re serving your family. This focus on “real food” ensures that every dish is not only delicious but also nourishing and comforting.
This isn’t just a collection of recipes; it’s a culinary journey designed to make healthy cooking accessible and enjoyable. Each of the 80 slow cooker dinner recipes comes with a stunning, full-page, full-color photograph, making it easy to visualize your delicious outcome and get inspired. Every dish is meticulously crafted to be family-friendly, drawing inspiration from a diverse range of cuisines and catering to various tastes. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner solution after a long day or something elegant enough to impress company without the stress, Samantha has you covered. Today, I’m delighted to share her exceptional recipe for **Crock Pot Three Bean Chili**, a dish that perfectly embodies the spirit of her cookbook: simple, real, and incredibly flavorful.
Why This Three Bean Chili Stands Out from the Rest
My choice to feature this particular recipe from Samantha’s cookbook was an easy one: I confess to having a genuine chili addiction! My website features several chili recipes, each with its own unique twist and flavor profile, and this **Crock Pot Three Bean Chili** proudly holds the title of my 8th addition! So, yes, you could say I’m a seasoned chili enthusiast, and this recipe truly captured my heart (and taste buds!). It offers something wonderfully fresh and distinct that I knew my readers would adore.
There are countless reasons why I adore this chili. Foremost among them is the sheer convenience of cooking it entirely in the crock pot. The only pre-step required is briefly browning the ground beef, which is a small effort for such a big reward – saving you precious time and effort later. What truly elevates the flavor profile and makes this chili unforgettable is the brilliant inclusion of **chipotle peppers in adobo sauce**. These magical peppers infuse the chili with an incredible smoky depth and a subtle, delightful spiciness that lingers wonderfully without being overpowering. The careful blend of aromatic spices used in this recipe, far beyond just standard chili powder, truly sets this dish apart, creating a complex, well-rounded, and deeply satisfying taste. And of course, the “three bean” aspect isn’t just a catchy name; it’s a commitment to varied textures and flavors in every spoonful, combining black, pinto, and kidney beans to make each bite a little discovery. Truly, this is a magical Three Bean Chili that you’ll want to make again and again, especially on a chilly evening.
The Comforting Embrace of Slow Cooker Chili and Cherished Memories
Growing up, my mom didn’t make chili constantly, but I have vivid, fond memories of several Christmas dinners where a hearty bowl of chili, served alongside warm cornbread, was the undisputed star. It’s a dish that instantly conjures feelings of warmth, comfort, and togetherness, making it more than just food – it’s an experience. There’s something truly special about the inviting aroma that slowly fills the entire house when chili has been simmering gently in the slow cooker all day. That rich, savory scent, coupled with the anticipation of a delicious meal, is, for me, the very essence of “home” and coziness. This three-bean chili perfectly captures that nostalgic feeling, making it an ideal fall or winter dish, or really, any time you crave a meal that wraps you in a comforting embrace and reminds you of cherished times.
The Unbeatable Benefits of Slow Cooking for Modern Life
Beyond the delicious results, cooking with a slow cooker offers unparalleled convenience, especially for those with busy lifestyles. Imagine the luxury of tossing a few wholesome ingredients into a pot in the morning and returning home hours later to a fully cooked, incredibly flavorful dinner. That’s the magic of the slow cooker! It’s a true kitchen hero, allowing you to prepare nourishing meals with minimal hands-on time. The extended, gentle cooking process tenderizes even tougher cuts of meat, melds flavors beautifully over hours of simmering, and often results in fewer dishes to wash – a win-win in any household. This particular Three Bean Chili exemplifies all these benefits, making it an ideal choice for meal prepping, entertaining guests without stress, or simply enjoying a nourishing, stress-free meal with minimal effort and maximum flavor. It’s the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it solution for delicious, home-cooked food.
Crafting the Perfect Three Bean Chili: A Symphony of Ingredients and Flavors
This Crock Pot Three Bean Chili is a symphony of carefully chosen ingredients, each playing a crucial role in its overall deliciousness and complex flavor profile. It all begins with **lean ground beef**, meticulously browned and seasoned to perfection, forming a robust and savory foundation for the chili. The “three bean” aspect truly shines through the thoughtful combination of **black beans**, **pinto beans**, and **kidney beans**. Each bean variety contributes a slightly different texture and earthy note, creating a more dynamic and satisfying mouthfeel than a single-bean chili, adding depth and heartiness to every spoonful.
The secret weapon in this recipe, which sets it apart from many traditional chilis, is undoubtedly the **chipotle pepper in adobo sauce**. Just one minced chipotle pepper and a teaspoon of its rich, smoky adobo sauce introduce an incredible depth of smoky flavor and a pleasant, nuanced heat that is truly irresistible. This isn’t just about adding spiciness; it’s about infusing a complex, earthy, and slightly sweet dimension that transforms the chili from simply good to truly great. Complementing this, **four cloves of minced garlic** provide their pungent aromatic foundation, an essential element for any truly flavorful chili.
For the essential liquid base and added richness, we incorporate a can of **fire-roasted diced tomatoes**, which lends a sweet acidity and another subtle layer of smoky goodness. And for an extra layer of unique richness and profound depth, a **12-oz bottle of dark beer** is called for – its malty notes beautifully complement the chili spices (though chicken or beef broth makes an excellent, equally delicious alcohol-free alternative). Finally, a powerhouse blend of traditional and aromatic spices—generous amounts of **chili powder**, earthy **ground cumin**, fragrant **ground coriander**, pungent **Mexican oregano**, and a touch of smoky **smoked paprika**—comes together to create that classic, hearty chili profile with a unique, aromatic twist. Seasoned carefully with **salt and freshly ground pepper to taste**, this chili promises a flavor experience that is both comfortably familiar and excitingly new, making it a staple in your recipe rotation.
The Crock Pot Three Bean Chili Recipe
Crock Pot Three Bean Chili
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Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- House Seasoning to taste (recipe in notes below)*
- 2 15-oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15-oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15-oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce minced
- 1 tsp. adobo sauce more or less to taste
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 14.5-oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 12-oz bottle dark beer (or chicken/beef broth)
- 2 Tbsp. chili powder
- 1 Tbsp. ground cumin
- 1 Tbsp. ground coriander
- 2 tsp. Mexican oregano
- 1/4 tsp. smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Sour cream for serving
- Shredded cheddar Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese, for serving
- Chopped fresh cilantro for serving
Instructions
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Brown the ground beef in large saucepan over medium-high heat until it is cooked through. Drain the grease and season with the House Seasoning to taste.
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In a large slow cooker, combine the cooked ground beef, black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, garlic, diced tomatoes, beer (or broth), chili powder, cumin, coriander, Mexican oregano and paprika.
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Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
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Serve with a dollop of sour cream, a pinch of shredded cheese and a sprinkle of cilantro. Enjoy!
Notes
*House Seasoning Recipe:
1/4 cup fine sea salt
1/4 cup garlic powder
2 Tbsp. onion powder
1 Tbsp. black pepper
Combine together and store in an airtight container.
Serving Suggestions and Customizations for Your Perfect Bowl of Chili
Once your Crock Pot Three Bean Chili has simmered to perfection and the aromas are filling your kitchen, the fun of serving begins! Classic toppings are highly recommended to complement and enhance the rich flavors. A generous dollop of cool, tangy **sour cream**, a hearty sprinkle of **shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend cheese**, and a scattering of fresh **chopped cilantro** not only add vibrant color but also introduce complementary textures and refreshing notes. For those who crave an extra kick, a few slices of fresh jalapeño, a dash of your favorite hot sauce, or a pinch of red pepper flakes can easily elevate the heat level. Don’t forget a side of warm, crusty bread or traditional cornbread to sop up every last delicious drop – it’s a match made in culinary heaven! This versatile chili is also fantastic served over a bed of fluffy rice or quinoa, or even used as a savory filling for baked potatoes, burritos, or nachos, showcasing its incredible adaptability to various meal ideas.
Feel free to adjust the spiciness to your personal preference or that of your family. If you prefer less heat, you can easily reduce the amount of chipotle pepper and adobo sauce. For more robust heat, consider adding a second minced chipotle pepper, a few extra dashes of adobo sauce, or even a small pinch of cayenne pepper directly into the slow cooker. This recipe is wonderfully forgiving and adaptable, encouraging you to make it your own and tailor it perfectly to your taste buds.
Final Thoughts: Your Next Favorite Slow Cooker Meal Awaits!
I genuinely hope you’ll take the opportunity to try Samantha’s incredible Crock Pot Three Bean Chili recipe. It’s a true testament to how simple, real ingredients can come together effortlessly in a slow cooker to create something truly extraordinary – a meal that’s both deeply satisfying and incredibly easy to prepare. And while you’re discovering the joys of this chili, please consider picking up a copy of her fantastic cookbook, **Real Food Slow Cooker Suppers**, which is readily available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or wherever fine books are sold. It truly is a treasure trove of wonderful, fuss-free slow cooker recipes that will undoubtedly inspire countless delicious and wholesome meals in your home for years to come.
This chili is more than just a meal; it’s an experience of comfort, robust flavor, and the sheer joy of home cooking without the usual fuss. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, cozy weekends, or feeding a crowd. So, gather your ingredients, set your slow cooker, and enjoy the effortless process, savor the amazing aroma that fills your home, and most importantly, delight in every single flavorful spoonful!
If you liked this chili recipe, you might like these too:
Sausage Lentil Chili
The Best Ever Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Stew
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