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Healthy Slow Cooker Chili

Name: Healthy Slow Cooker Chili
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 480 min
Total time: 510 min
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon oil; ½ pound lean beef (cubed); ½ pound lean ground beef; 2 large onions (chopped); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 red bell pepper (chopped); 1 green bell pepper (chopped); 1 (14.5 oz) can chili beans; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; ½ cup water; 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes; 1 teaspoon cumin; ½ teaspoon ground oregano; 1 tablespoons chili powder (or more to taste); 1 (14.5 oz) can kidney beans (blended); ½ cup corn kernels; all your favorite chili toppings

by Nora / Posted: 09/21/17 (Updated: 05/26/20) / 23 Comments /

4.67 from 3

Prep Time 30 mins

Total Time 8 hrs 30 mins

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This is the best recipe for homemade Healthy Slow Cooker Chili! It’s quick, easy and simple to prepare because it’s cooked in a crockpot. This is amazing to serve on gameday or take it with you when you go tailgating!

Crock pot chili being served with a ladle.

Chili is one of my favorite dinners to make during the fall and winter months (right alongside crockpot meatballs, oven fried chicken and meatloaf). This slow cooker version is creamy and dreamy, but made a little lighter and healthier than traditional recipes.

Recipe tips

About the equipment needed

Slow cooker

A 4-6 quart slow cooker will do a great job for this recipe.

If you don’t have the time to wait for 4-8 hours, or you don’t own a slow cooker, you can also make this in a Dutch oven: Simply combine all ingredients in a large Dutch oven and simmer covered over low to medium-low heat for an hour or two.

A good knife

Whenever I need to make a quick job of chopping up veggies I use my large chef’s knife. I used to be afraid of sharp knives and only owned a tiny, dull one. But it takes ages longer to get produce cut, so I’m always happy I can do everything faster when I’m pressed for time!

I have one similar to this one* from Amazon and it’s worth the investment so much – we’ve had our set of five good knives for years now (and we use them plenty!) and it’s definitely been paid off in the long run.

Ingredient notes

Beef: I make this with diced and ground beef for more flavor and texture. I have tried it with ground beef only as well. I do like it better with the diced beef added, but if all you have is ground it works just as well to use 1 pound of ground beef.
Beans: It’s not crucial to add the blended kidney beans, but it does make for a thicker and almost creamy chili without adding any cream or cheese at all – so I’m a huge fan of that!
Tomatoes: Feel free to use fire roasted for more flavor!

Slow cooker chili in a bowl with toppings

More slow cooker comfort

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