Description
Hearty Southwestern Slow Cooker Pinto Beans, Green Chile, and Beef delivers rich, comforting flavors straight from Mexican-inspired kitchens. Tender beef and creamy beans melded with spicy green chiles promise a soul-warming meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 4 cups (680 grams) cooked pinto beans
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 can (10 ounces/284 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can (4 ounces/113 grams) diced green chilies
- 1/4 cup (15 grams) fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Spices and Liquids:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) 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
- In a skillet over medium heat, sear ground beef and diced onion until meat is fully cooked and onions become translucent, approximately 7-8 minutes. Carefully drain accumulated fat.
- Transfer beef and onion mixture into the slow cooker, creating a robust base for the hearty dish.
- Pour pinto beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies, additional diced green chilies, and beef broth into the slow cooker. Incorporate chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper for a deeply layered flavor profile.
- Thoroughly blend all ingredients, ensuring even distribution of spices and seasonings. Adjust salt levels to personal taste preference.
- Secure slow cooker lid and set temperature to low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Gently stir contents periodically to prevent ingredient settling.
- During final 15 minutes of cooking, fold in freshly chopped cilantro for a bright, herbaceous note.
- Ladle the rich, aromatic mixture into serving bowls. Complement with cornbread, steamed rice, or crispy tortilla chips.
- Enhance serving with optional garnishes like shredded cheese, cool sour cream, or creamy diced avocado for added texture and richness.
Notes
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease in the final dish and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile.
- Use low-sodium beef broth to control salt levels, allowing you to adjust seasoning precisely during cooking.
- For a leaner version, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles without compromising the rich, hearty texture.
- Enhance spice levels by adding a diced jalapeño or a splash of hot sauce for those who enjoy extra heat in their meal.
- 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: 254 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg