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Hearty serving of chili with bacon in a bowl, garnished with green onions and shredded cheese

Slower Cooker Chili With Bacon

This chili with bacon is a hearty, flavorful dish that’s perfect for cozy nights or game day. With tender bacon, savory spices, and a mix of beans, it’s a comforting meal that practically cooks itself in the slow cooker.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Serving Size 6

Equipment

  • 1 6 QT Slow Cooker
  • 1 Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoon dried minced onion
  • 2 tablespoon dried minced garlic
  • 1 ½ tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 ½ tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 ½ tablespoon ancho chili powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 3 cans 15 ounce tri color beans , drained
  • 6 ounce can tomato paste
  • 7 ounce can green chilies
  • 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 6 slices cooked and crumbled bacon

Instructions

  • In a 12-inch skillet, cook bacon over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel to drain. Reserve 1 tablespoon of drippings.
  • In the same skillet, add the raw ground beef and cook over medium-high heat until browned, breaking it into small pieces. Drain the excess grease and transfer the ground beef to a crock pot.
  • Add minced onion and minced garlic to the ground beef and stir.
  • Add chili powder, ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix until evenly combined.
  • Pour in beef broth, tomato sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine.
  • Add green chilies and drained beans to the slow cooker.
  • Stir in the cooked bacon.
  • Cover and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours.
  • Serve with optional garnishes such as sour cream, cheddar cheese, green onions, tortilla chips, or avocado slices.