Slow Cooker Chipotle Chili

My friend Keni's love of smokey chipotle peppers inspired this recipe. It comes together perfectly and is a unique chili that will stand out against others. It is a spicy chili that at the same time is mellow. It gives you the kick without the lingering burn like many chilis do.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 6 hr
• Total Time: 6 hr 25 mins
• Calories: 402 Calories

Ingredients

• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chili sauce
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
• 2 (16 ounce) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
• 2 (16 ounce) cans chili beans, undrained
• ½ (7 ounce) can chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, finely chopped
• ½ (3 ounce) package bacon bits
• 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce (such as Frank's RedHot®)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef and sausage in the hot skillet until some of the fat renders, 2 to 3 minutes; add onion and garlic and continue to cook and stir until the meats are browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes more. Transfer beef mixture to a slow cooker.

Step 2

Stir kidney beans, chili beans, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, celery, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, chipotle chiles, bacon bits, chili sauce, hot pepper sauce, chili powder, brown sugar, cumin, and salt with the beef mixture.

Step 3

Cook on Low until vegetables are completely tender but the celery retains a slight bit of firmness, 6 to 8 hours (or 3 to 4 hours on High).