Three Bean Chili (Slow Cooker)

Hearty, Budget-Friendly Chili with Dried Beans

This slow cooker three bean chili is a hearty, protein-packed meal made with dried beans, savory seasoning, and ground meat. It cooks low and slow for rich flavor and tender beans, making it perfect for cozy dinners and easy leftovers.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7–8 hours
Total Time: About 8 hours
Servings: 2–3 servings

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup dried black beans
• ⅓ cup dried small red beans
• ⅓ cup dried great northern beans
• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1½ tablespoons homemade chili seasoning OR ½ packet chili seasoning
• 3½ cups water (add more if needed during cooking)
• ⅓ to ½ pound ground meat (turkey, beef, chicken, or sausage)
• ⅓ cup chopped onion (optional)

Instructions

1. Start Early
   • Add dried beans, tomato sauce, chili seasoning, onion (if using), and water to the slow cooker.
   • Stir to combine.
2. Cook Beans
   • Cover and cook on HIGH for 4–5 hours.
3. Check Bean Tenderness
   • Test beans for softness.
   • If nearly tender, switch slow cooker to LOW.
   • If beans are still firm, continue cooking on HIGH.
4. Brown the Meat
   • While beans cook, brown ground meat in a skillet over medium heat.
   • Drain excess grease if needed.
5. Add Meat
   • Stir cooked meat into the chili.
6. Finish Cooking
   • Continue cooking on LOW for 2–3 additional hours until beans are fully tender.
7. Taste and Adjust
   • Taste broth and adjust seasoning or add additional water if chili becomes too thick.

Equipment

⭐ Slow Cooker – Perfect for long, even cooking that softens dried beans and develops deep chili flavor.
👉 View Slow Cookers on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4inDY75

⭐ Skillet – Used for browning ground meat evenly before adding to chili.
👉 View Skillets on Amazon: https://a.co/d/48peG1k

⭐ Silicone Utensils – Gentle on slow cooker inserts and great for stirring thick chili.
👉 View Silicone Utensils on Amazon: https://a.co/d/cbdMdVY

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Tips, Tricks, and Variations

✔ If cooking dried beans for the first time, they require long cooking times and plenty of liquid to soften properly.

✔ Add frozen or canned corn during the last 30 minutes of cooking for extra texture and sweetness.

✔ If chili becomes too thick, stir in additional warm water or broth.

Substitutions and Options

• Use ground turkey, chicken, beef, or sausage.
• Replace tomato sauce with diced tomatoes for chunkier chili.
• Swap beans using cannellini, kidney, navy, pinto, or dark red beans.
• Make it vegetarian by replacing meat with additional beans or plant-based crumbles.

Quick Cooking Option (Using Canned Beans)

• Substitute three ½-cup portions of canned beans (drained and rinsed).
• Reduce liquid to about 2 cups.
• Cook on LOW for 2–3 hours or simmer on stovetop for about 45 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

• Cornbread
• Shredded cheese
• Crackers or tortilla chips
• Sour cream
• Chopped green onions

Storage

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freeze portions up to 3 months.
• Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of water if needed.

Links to Related Recipes

👉 Cornbread Recipe: https://netsmealsfortwo.com/nets-southern-cornbread-6-inch-skillet/
👉 Homemade Chili Seasoning: https://netsmealsfortwo.com/homemade-chili-seasoning-mix/