Slow Cooker Beginner 190 min

Slow cooker chili

Rich, spiced chili that simmers all day — even better the next day.

Slow cooker chili illustration

Steps

  1. 01

    Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain the fat.

  2. 02

    Dice the bell pepper and onion. Mince the garlic. Add the beef, beans, crushed tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and salt to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.

  3. 03

    Cover and cook on high for 3 hours (or low for 6 hours).

  4. 04

    Taste, adjust seasoning, and serve.

Why it works

What is the Maillard reaction?

The Maillard reaction is a chemical reaction between amino acids and sugars that occurs at temperatures above 140°C (280°F). It creates the brown color, complex flavors, and aromas you associate with seared meat, toasted bread, and roasted vegetables. It's not caramelization — that's sugar-only.

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What is umami and why does it make food taste better?

Mushrooms taste savory because they're loaded with glutamate, the amino acid that triggers umami receptors. Nucleotides like 5'-guanylate, also present in mushrooms, amplify that glutamate signal several times over — a synergy that explains why mushrooms deepen the flavor of stocks, sauces, and braises even in small quantities.

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Slow Cooker Cooking Times Chart →

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01

Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain the fat.

Ground beef 700 g