Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne

A healthy and family-friendly Mexican Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne recipe made with beef, beans and tomato and served with rice, corn chips, sour cream and spring onions.

5 from 17 votes

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Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Mexican, Slow Cooker Recipe

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 5 10

Servings: serves

Calories: 356kcal

Author: Lucy - Bake Play Smile

Equipment

slow cooker (crock pot)
stove-top (optional)

Ingredients

500 g beef mince
1 onion diced
2 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp oregano
1 tbs chilli powder see notes
2 tsp paprika
800 g diced tomatoes
400 g kidney beans rinsed and drained
1 tsp caster sugar
2 tbs tomato paste
1 cup (250ml) beef stock
rice, sour cream, corn chips, grated cheese and chopped spring onions to serve

Instructions

Saute the beef and onion in a frying pan or in a searing slow cooker until browned. Add to the slow cooker.
Add the garlic, cumin, oregano, chilli powder, paprika, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, caster sugar, tomato paste and beef stock. Stir.
Cook on low heat for 6-7 hours or on high heat for 4-5 hours.
Taste the chilli with approximately an hour to go and add extra chilli if you feel it needs it (see notes).
Serve with rice, corn chips, grated cheese, sour cream and chopped spring onions.

Notes

RECIPE NOTES & TIPS

Family-Friendly Option:

If everyone in your family loves chilli then go for it – you might even add more to suit your taste!

But if someone (or everyone!) in your family doesn’t like the taste of chilli, follow these tips:

only add a tiny amount of chilli for a subtle flavour (ie. 1 tsp instead of 1 tbs). This is a great option for those who don’t mind a teensy bit of extra flavour.
omit the chilli altogether (great option for young kids!) – this is what I currently do! We have a 4 year old and I omit the chilli entirely during cooking and then stir some through my husband and my bowls when serving. The chilli con carne without any chilli is still PACKED full of flavour and is completely kid-friendly.

Searing the beef - searing the beef before cooking adds an incredible amount of flavour to the dish and begins to caramelises the surface of the beef, giving it a much yummier texture and flavour.

Serving suggestions - serve with white rice, corn chips, sour cream and spring onions. Grated cheese and slices of avocado are delicious too.

Leftover chilli con carne - This recipe is PERFECT for leftovers – serve them in tacos, make nachos, make it into Mexican lasagne, have loaded baked potatoes, pour over sweet potato fries, make quesadillas or burritos… the list is endless!

Storing - Chilli con carne can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Freezing - It can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Nutrition