Description
Hearty slow cooker pinto beans, green chile, and beef promise a southwest flavor explosion that warms souls and satisfies hunger. Robust ingredients blend seamlessly, delivering comfort and spice in one delicious Mexican-inspired meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 cups (680 grams) cooked pinto beans
Vegetables and Chilies:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 can (10 ounces / 280 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can (4 ounces / 113 grams) diced green chilies
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Thoroughly brown ground beef with onions in a skillet over medium heat until meat is fully cooked and onions turn translucent. Remove excess grease to prevent oily texture.
- Transfer meat and onion mixture into slow cooker, creating a hearty base for the dish.
- Pour pinto beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, additional green chilies, and beef broth into the slow cooker. These ingredients will build complex flavor profiles.
- Integrate chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper throughout the mixture. Gently stir to distribute seasonings evenly.
- Taste the liquid and adjust salt levels according to preference. Ensure balanced seasoning before cooking.
- Secure slow cooker lid and set temperature to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Allow ingredients to meld and develop deep, rich flavors.
- Periodically stir contents to prevent sticking and promote even cooking if possible.
- During final 15 minutes of cooking, fold in fresh chopped cilantro for bright, herbaceous notes.
- Ladle into serving bowls and complement with optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or sliced avocado for added texture and richness.
- Pair with warm cornbread, fluffy rice, or crispy tortilla chips to complete the meal.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) to reduce excess fat and create a cleaner, healthier dish without compromising flavor.
- Adjust spices gradually, tasting as you go to prevent overpowering the natural flavors of beans and beef.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lower-fat or vegetarian alternatives that maintain the recipe’s robust taste profile.
- Avoid lifting the lid too frequently during cooking to maintain consistent temperature and prevent moisture loss.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (on Low) or 4 hours (on High)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 295 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg