Description
Hearty Crockpot Spicy Queso Beef Chili brings southwestern comfort right to your dinner table, blending rich meaty flavors with creamy cheese and bold spices. Slow-cooked perfection makes this chili a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 can mixed chili beans
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 yellow onions
- 2 poblano peppers
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- salt
Tomato Base:
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato paste
- 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies
Liquid and Fat:
- 2–3 cups chicken or beef broth
- 1/3 cup hot sauce
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
Cheese and Dairy:
- 6 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Garnish:
- avocado
- Greek yogurt
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Sear ground beef in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles until nicely browned. Transfer meat to crockpot.
- Combine diced onions, poblano peppers, and dry spices in the same Dutch oven. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until vegetables become fragrant and slightly softened.
- Add tomatoes, tomato paste, hot sauce, butter, and diced green chilies to the vegetable mixture. Stir thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients.
- Pour broth over the mixture, add bay leaves, and season with salt. Mix completely to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
- Cover crockpot and slow cook on low temperature for 6-7 hours, allowing flavors to meld and beef to become tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- During the final 30 minutes of cooking, fold in cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and beans. Allow cheese to melt completely and blend into the chili.
- Remove bay leaves before serving. Ladle chili into individual bowls and garnish with optional toppings like Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, additional cheese, and diced avocado.
Notes
- Trim excess fat from beef before browning to reduce greasiness and improve overall texture of the chili.
- Select lean ground beef or ground turkey for a healthier protein option without compromising flavor intensity.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper and hot sauce quantities to suit personal spice preferences.
- Enhance meal prep by making larger batches and freezing individual portions for quick future meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg