Slow-Cooker Ancho Chili with Beans
Angie McGowan
Two-bean chili featuring sweet n' mild ancho chilies.
Ingredients
- 8 oz dried black beans
- 8 oz dried red beans
- 6 cups water
- 1 Tbs kosher salt, divided
- 2 lbs ground chuck
- 2 med onions
- 4 cloves garlic
- 12 whole ancho chili peppers (stems, seeds, and veins removed)
- 1 Tbs cumin
- 1 Tbs smoked paprika
- 1/2 Tbs coriander
- 1 Tbs dried oregano
- 1 Tbs dried cilantro
- 2 35 oz cans tomatoes with juice
- 2 small cans tomato paste
- 1 pinch pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 bottle dark beer
- Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- Sour cream (optional)
Directions
- Soak dried beans overnight in enough water to cover.
- Add beans and their water to slow-cooker. Add 1/2 Tbs salt and turn slow-cooker on high and cook beans until tender, 4–6 hours.
- Brown ground beef in large skillet. Add chopped onions and garlic and cook until tender.
- Remove the seeds and veins from ancho chilies. Add them to a food processor and pulse until they are fine.
- Add beef, onions, and garlic to slow-cooker. Add all spices, ground ancho chilies, tomatoes, tomato paste, 1/2 Tbs salt, and pepper to taste.
- Add beer and stir well. Leave slow-cooker on high for 2 hours.
- Taste the chili and adjust the seasonings if necessary. Reduce to low and cook for another 2 hours.
- Serve topped with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories 342
Calories from Fat 122 (36%)
(21%)Total Fat 13g
(26%)Saturated Fat 5g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
(15%)Cholesterol 45mg
(30%)Sodium 727mg
(33%)Potassium 1163mg
Total Carbohydrate 36g
(32%)Dietary Fiber 8g
Sugars 10g
Sugar Alcohols 0g
(41%)Protein 20g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Nutrition facts are calculated by a food expert using nutritional values provided by the USDA for common products used as recipe ingredients. Actual nutritional values may differ depending on the amounts or products used and can be affected by cooking methods.
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The information presented here is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of US–registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.