Easy Taco Chili #
From Slow Cooker Revolution.
| Quantity | Cooking Time |
|---|---|
| Serves 4 | Low: 4-6 hours |
| High: 3-5 hours |
When busy weeknights loom ahead, it's handy to have a seriously easy, family-friendly slow-cooker chili in your repertoire. Choosing frozen chopped onions and garlic powder kept us from needing our knife and cutting board while a packet of store-bought taco seasoning put an end to rummaging through the spice cabinet. Instead, we simply opened the packet and combined the spice mixture with the other aromatics before cooking. Canned tomatoes and black beans and frozen corn also helped this chili come together quickly. The onion and spice mixture will look soupy after microwaving.
Serve with your favorite chili garnishes.
Ingredients #
| ingredient | quantity | prep |
|---|---|---|
| frozen chopped onions | 2 c. | (or 2 onions minced) |
| taco seasoning | 1 oz. | (1 packet) |
| tomato paste | 2 tbsp. | |
| vegetable oil | 2 tbsp. | |
| garlic powder | 1½ tsp. | or 6 cloves, minced |
| black beans | 15 oz (1 can) | drained, rinsed |
| tomato sauce | 15 oz (1 can) | |
| diced tomatoes | 14.5 oz (1 can) | |
| brown sugar | 1 tbsp. | |
| white sandwich bread | 1 slice | torn into quarters |
| whole milk | 2 tbsp. | |
| lean ground beef | 1 lb. | (85% lean) |
| salt and pepper | ||
| frozen corn | 1 c. |
Instructions #
- Microwave onions, taco seasoning, tomato paste, oil, and garlic powder in bowl, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened, about 5 minutes; transfer to slow cooker.
- Stir beans, tomato sauce, tomatoes with juice, and sugar into slow cooker.
- Mash bread and milk into paste in large bowl using fork.
- Mix in ground beef and ¼ teaspoon pepper using hands. Stir beef mixture into slow cooker, breaking up any large pieces.
- Cover and cook until beef is tender, 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 5 hours on high.
- Let chili settle for 5 minutes, then remove fat from surface using large spoon. Break up any remaining large pieces of beef with spoon. Stir in corn and let sit until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Notes (Alex) #
- Can brown onions, seasoning, tomato paste in saucepan first for more color if you want
- Can use 93% lean ground turkey; don't have to skim fat that way
- Garnishes: shredded cheddar or colby jack; sour cream; sliced scallions; Fritos; tortilla chips; pickled red onions