Why You’ll Love this Hearty Beef Chili
Comfort in a bowl—that’s what this hearty beef chili delivers on even the coldest days. I’ve made this recipe countless times when the weather turns chilly, and it never disappoints.
What makes it special? For starters, the beef stew meat becomes meltingly tender after those slow cooker hours. The combination of diced tomatoes, green chilies, and ranch-style beans creates layers of flavor that simply can’t be rushed.
My favorite part? How ridiculously easy it is. Just toss everything in, walk away, and return to a kitchen filled with mouthwatering aromas. Who doesn’t love dinner that practically cooks itself?
What Ingredients are in Hearty Beef Chili?
This hearty beef chili is built on a foundation of simple, flavorful ingredients that transform into something magical during the slow cooking process.
What I love most about this recipe is how it combines pantry staples with fresh elements to create a rich, satisfying meal that tastes like it took hours of active preparation. The spice blend strikes the perfect balance—just enough heat to warm you up without overwhelming your taste buds.
- 3 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes with fat trimmed
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1½ teaspoons ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 (10-ounce) cans diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
- 1 (15-ounce) can ranch style beans or chili beans, undrained
- 1 (15¼-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
When shopping for this recipe, the quality of your beef matters quite a bit. Look for well-marbled stew meat, as the fat will render down and create richer flavor throughout the cooking process.
Can’t find ranch-style beans? No worries—regular chili beans work perfectly as a substitute.
And while the recipe calls for canned corn, you could absolutely use frozen corn in a pinch, just make sure to thaw and drain it first to prevent excess liquid in your finished chili.
How to Make this Hearty Beef Chili
Making this hearty beef chili couldn’t be simpler—it’s one of those wonderful “set it and forget it” slow cooker recipes that does all the heavy lifting for you.
Start by placing 3 pounds of beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes with the fat trimmed, into your 3-quart slow cooker.
Now for the flavor magic: in a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1½ teaspoons ground mustard, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon chili powder, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Sprinkle this aromatic spice blend over the beef and give everything a good toss to guarantee each piece gets a nice coating. This step is essential for developing those deep, complex flavors we all crave in a good chili.
Next, layer your remaining ingredients right on top of the seasoned beef—no pre-cooking required! Add 1 large chopped onion, followed by 2 cans (10 ounces each) of undrained diced tomatoes and green chilies, 1 can (15 ounces) of undrained ranch style beans or chili beans, and 1 can (15¼ ounces) of drained whole kernel corn.
Now simply cover your slow cooker with its lid and set it to low heat for 6-8 hours. The magic happens while you’re off living your life—the beef becomes fork-tender, the spices meld together, and all those flavors get to know each other on a deeper level.
You’ll know it’s ready when the meat breaks apart easily with gentle pressure from a fork. I like to give it a little stir about halfway through if I’m around, but honestly? The slow cooker does a fantastic job distributing all those wonderful flavors without much intervention from me.
Hearty Beef Chili Substitutions and Variations
While the core recipe delivers amazing flavor, there’s plenty of room to put your own spin on this hearty beef chili.
I often swap the stew meat for ground beef when I’m short on time—it cooks faster but still tastes incredible.
Not a beef fan? Try ground turkey or chicken instead. You can also dial up the heat by adding more chili powder or tossing in some diced jalapeños.
Sometimes I skip the corn and double the beans for extra protein, or use black beans for a different texture.
Vegetarians visiting? Replace the meat with extra beans and mushrooms for that meaty texture.
What to Serve with Hearty Beef Chili
Four classic sides elevate your hearty beef chili from a simple meal to a memorable feast. I love serving warm cornbread, its sweet crumbly texture perfect for sopping up those rich, spicy juices.
A crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette offers invigorating contrast to the hearty stew. For extra indulgence, try a bowl of sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese—I’ve found these cool, creamy toppings balance the heat beautifully.
My personal favorite? Tortilla chips. They add satisfying crunch and double as delicious scoops.
Mix and match these sides depending on your mood and what’s in your pantry.
Final Thoughts
Every home cook should have a reliable beef chili recipe in their arsenal, and this slow cooker version has become my go-to comfort food for busy weeknights.
I love how the beef cubes become fork-tender after their slow dance with those spices. The combination of brown sugar and chili powder creates that perfect sweet-heat balance that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
What I appreciate most is the set-it-and-forget-it nature of this dish.
Six hours later, dinner’s ready with minimal effort. Isn’t that what we’re all looking for after a long day?
Trust me, this hearty beef chili will become your family’s cold-weather favorite too.
