Description
This hearty all meat chili is a satisfying, bean-free dish perfect for slow cooking. Combining ground beef, pork, and Italian sausage with a rich blend of tomatoes and spices, this chili develops deep, complex flavors over several hours. Ideal for cozy dinners, it’s thick, flavorful, and customizable with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato & Broth Base
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
Spices
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
Others
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for browning meat)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Brown the meat: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, ground pork, and Italian sausage. Cook, breaking up with a spoon, until thoroughly browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Transfer to slow cooker: Move the browned meat mixture from the skillet into the slow cooker to prepare for slow cooking.
- Add vegetables and liquids: To the slow cooker, add chopped onion, minced garlic, diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato paste, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Incorporate spices: Add chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Stir well to distribute the spices throughout the chili mixture.
- Slow cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. This allows the chili to thicken and for flavors to meld beautifully.
- Adjust consistency and seasoning: Taste the chili when cooking is complete. Adjust seasoning as needed. For a thicker texture, mash some of the tomatoes or meat against the side of the slow cooker.
- Serve and garnish: Ladle the chili into bowls, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro if desired, and serve hot alongside your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or diced onions.
Notes
- For extra heat, add more cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce.
- If you want a milder chili, omit the cayenne pepper entirely.
- Brown the meat well to develop richer, deeper flavors.
- You can customize toppings per your preference: cheese varieties, sour cream, chopped green onions, or jalapeños all work well.
- This chili freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Entree
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
