Easy Crockpot Chili

"The origins of chili are uncertain, but it's natural to think of it as an American classic." -Randy Mayor

This dish is a perfectly healthy fall or winter meal to warm the belly! This is one of my favorite slow cooker meals that can be put together in less than 30 minutes, this chili is super easy to make and is very hearty and healthy, This is the way chili should taste.

I'm using a 6 qt crock pot for this dish, this recipe will yield about 16 servings which will last us a week in the fridge.

Ingredient list:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 1/2 pounds ground turkey or whatever meat you prefer
• 1 Medium onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup bourbon
• 1 (40 ounce) can pinto beans
• 1 (15 ounce) can red kidney beans
• 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans (white kidney beans)
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans
• 1 (15 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
• 1 (28 ounce) canned crushed tomatoes
• 4 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper( more or less depending on your taste)
• 2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 3 bay leaves

• Take a medium onion and dice it up, mince the clove of garlic as well.

• Coat the bottom of the pan with 1 1/2 tsp olive oil. Heat the pan on medium high heat until the oil is shimmering. Add the diced onion and stir to coat the onions with the oil. Spread the onions out evenly over the pan cover and let cook, stirring occasionally.
• After the onions have taken on some color and become translucent add 1/2 cup of bourbon.

• Next add the minced garlic, continue to cook covered for another 3 to 5 minuets or until caramelized.

((WARNING: Make sure to use caution when adding alcohol to a pan especially over an open Flame.

Take the pan off the heat add the alcohol and either cook it out, or flame it)).

There are two ways to do this safely where you won't get harmed.

1) When it's time to add the alcohol simply turn the heat off for a
moment and pour in your alcohol. You can cook it out as opposed to flaming it. It's slower but safer.

2) If in a skillet....Take the pan off the heat , pour in the alcohol, and return to the stove. Do not tilt the pan as it may flame up. You can also use a grill lighter to flame the alcohol if using a small amount(if you aren't patient).

Tip: you can add an ice cube to the pan if the onions look like they're getting dry and crispy, you want moist onions not crispy onion chips.

• While your onions are cooking take a minute to turn the crock pot to high, and add the 4 cans of beans and the cans of tomato (stewed ,crushed, paste) to the crock pot, mix it all up.
• Stir the caramelized onion/garlic into the crock pot.

• You can add any kind of meat you like here, I chose to use 2 1/2 pounds of taco seasoned ground turkey,
• Add the meat to the pan you cooked the onions in, add 1/4 cup of water to deglaze the pan just so the caramelized onion bits that are left in the pan don't burn.
• Cook the meat till fully browned, and add to the crock pot.

Now add the spices to the crock pot, add the bay leaves last as to avoid crumbling them up.

• 4 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
• 3 bay leaves

• Now that everything is in the pot, cover and cook on high, stirring occasionally, for 5 hours, or place on low for 8 hours.
• After your chili has simmered all day remove the bay leaves and get yourself a big bowl .

I've been serving my chili with shredded cheddar cheese, diced red
onion, a dollop of sour cream, and a splash of hot sauce, with a side of cornbread or cheesy biscuits.

• Grated cheddar cheese

• crumbled goat cheese

• Chopped sweet bell peppers

• Chopped jalapeños or Serrano peppers

• Corn chips

• Diced red onions

• Chopped fresh tomatoes

• Chopped cilantro

• Diced avocado

• Sour cream

• Wedges of lime

Give this recipe a try, if you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them in
the comments section below, I enjoy hearing from you guys so don't be afraid to post!

And since you will have leftovers here's 20 Things to Do with Leftover Chili.

Thanks for taking the time to check out my Instructable.