Description
This Slow Cooker Ranch Chili is a hearty and flavorful dish combining ground beef, stew meat, and a medley of beans, tomatoes, and spices, all enhanced with a zesty ranch dressing mix. Perfect for an easy, set-it-and-forget-it meal, it simmers slowly to develop rich, deep flavors ideal for chilly evenings or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats
- 1 ¼ lb ground beef
- 1 ¼ lb stew meat
Vegetables & Beans
- 1 (15-oz) chili beans, undrained
- 1 (15-oz) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (10-oz) can Rotel tomatoes and diced green chiles, undrained
Liquids
- 1 (14.5-oz) can beef broth
- ¼ cup water
Seasonings
- 2 Tbsp minced onion flakes
- 1 (6-oz) can tomato paste
- ¼ cup chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 (1-oz) package ranch dressing mix
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat to keep the chili less greasy. Transfer the cooked beef to the slow cooker.
- Brown Stew Meat: Using the same skillet, cook the stew meat just until browned, about 3 to 4 minutes. This seals in juices and adds flavor. Then add the browned stew meat to the slow cooker.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: To the slow cooker, add the minced onion flakes, chili beans (with liquid), petite diced tomatoes (with liquid), Rotel tomatoes and diced green chiles (with liquid), beef broth, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, ranch dressing mix, and water. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours. This slow simmering melds the flavors beautifully and tenderizes the meat for a rich and savory chili.
Notes
- For a thicker chili, uncover the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow excess liquid to evaporate.
- You can substitute stew meat with additional ground beef or ground turkey if preferred.
- Adjust chili powder and ranch dressing mix amount to control the spice level.
- This chili can be made in advance and tastes even better the next day as flavors develop.
- Serve with toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions for added texture and flavor.
