Slow Cooker Chipotle Beef Chili

This chipotle beed chili is cooked low and slow in the slow cooker. Ree loves to top it with corn chips, sour cream, and green onions.

By Ree Drummond   Published: Aug 23, 2024

Ingredients

• 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 3 lb. boneless beef chuck, trimmed of any excess fat and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 2 onions, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 tbsp. ground cumin
• 2 chipotle chiles in adobo, finely chopped, plus 2 tablespoons sauce from the can
• 2 tbsp. packed dark brown sugar
• 4 c. low-sodium beef broth
• 2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 c. masa harina
• Sour cream, sliced scallions, and corn chips, for topping

Directions

1. Step 1
   Put the bacon in a large high-sided pan, then turn the heat to medium-high and cook until the fat has rendered and the bacon is beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the pan using a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour off some of the excess bacon fat, leaving a thin layer in the pan.
2. Step 2
   Add the beef to the pan and cook over medium-high heat, turning, until beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the beef from the pan and pour off all but a thin layer of fat.
3. Step 3
   Add the onions and garlic to the pan and cook until beginning to brown and soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the oregano and cumin and cook until fragrant, about1 minute. Add ¼ cup water and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
4. Step 4
   Transfer the bacon, beef and onion-spice mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the chipotles and adobo sauce, brown sugar and beef broth and season with the salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cover and set to cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.
5. Step 5
   When the chili has finished cooking and the beef is tender, mix the masa harina with ¼ cup water in a small bowl until combined. Stir into the chili. Add more salt and pepper to taste. Serve with sour cream, scallions, and corn chips.