Ingredients
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2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil, divided
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1 large onion, chopped
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 pound lean ground beef
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1 (15-ounce) can white beans, rinsed and drained
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1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
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1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
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1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
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1 (28-ounce) can chopped tomatoes with juice
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2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
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2 tablespoons chili powder
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1 tablespoon ground cumin
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2 bay leaves
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2 teaspoons kosher salt
Instructions
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Sauté the onion. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Add the garlic. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant and the onion begins to caramelize. Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker.
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Brown the beef. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the same pan. Add the ground beef and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Continue until browned and cooked through, with no pink remaining.
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Combine the chili. Transfer the beef to the slow cooker. Add the white beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, chopped tomatoes and their juice, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, bay leaves, and salt. Stir well.
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Slow-cook. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours, until the flavors have melded and the chili is rich and hearty.
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Remove the bay leaves. Before serving, discard both bay leaves and taste the chili, adjusting the seasoning if needed.
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Serve. Ladle into bowls and add your favorite toppings.
Notes
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Drain and rinse the beans: This removes excess canning liquid and helps keep the chili’s flavor balanced.
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Brown the beef first: Browning adds savory flavor and helps prevent excess grease from ending up in the chili.
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Build flavor with aromatics: Cooking the onion and garlic before slow-cooking brings out their sweetness and aroma.
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Keep the lid closed: Avoid lifting the slow cooker lid unnecessarily, as heat escapes and cooking time can increase.
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Adjust the consistency: For thicker chili, uncover near the end of cooking if your slow cooker allows safe simmering, or mash a few beans into the sauce.
