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Beef Nachos with Slow Cooker Chili Con Carne

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I found the secret to my slow cooker chili on a rainy Tuesday when I accidentally left it on low for six extra hours. Instead of burning, the beef broke down into something impossibly tender, and the spices melded into a deep, rich sauce that didn’t need any last-minute tweaking. That mistake became a permanent fixture in my dinner rotation because it takes zero active effort once you brown the meat.
I serve this over tortilla chips loaded with sharp cheddar and black olives for game days, or just ladled into bowls for a hearty solo meal. The key is using 80/20 ground beef; the extra fat renders out during the long cook, keeping the chili moist without needing added oil. If you prefer less grease, drain it briefly after browning, but don’t skip that step—it builds the foundation of flavor.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 580

Ingredients
  

Chili Base
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef 80/20 lean/fat ratio
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.5 tsp ground cumin
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper optional, for heat
  • 1 can 15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can 15 oz kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
For Assembly
  • Tortilla chips
  • 1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 0.5 cup diced jalapeños optional
  • Fresh cilantro chopped
  • Sour cream

Method
 

  1. Brown the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onion. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are translucent (about 5-7 minutes). Drain excess fat if desired, but leave about 1 tablespoon for flavor. Remove from heat and stir in the garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  2. Combine Slow Cooker Ingredients: Transfer the beef mixture to your slow cooker. Add the black beans, kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Stir everything together until smooth.
  3. Cook on Low: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 4-5 hours. The chili is done when it has thickened slightly and the flavors have melded. If you want a thicker consistency, remove the lid and cook on HIGH for the last 30 minutes.
  4. Prepare Nachos: Preheat your broiler to high. Place tortilla chips in a single layer on baking sheets or in large oven-safe bowls. Ladle a generous amount of chili over each portion, ensuring some chips are covered. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese and jalapeños if using.
  5. Melt and Serve: Broil for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned at the edges. Watch closely to prevent burning! Remove from oven, garnish with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream, and serve immediately while hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 580kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 32gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 890mgPotassium: 650mg

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