Category: Slow Cooker

I have a new rule this year. Any time the temperature is less than my age, it’s time to make chili. But not just any chili. This slow cooker Bush’s Best 3-bean chili. Loaded with plenty of great beans (I mean, really… you knew that was coming, right?) and beef and just the right amount of spices, this chili warmed me to the bone. It’s perfect on a cold day. Or hot day for that matter.

Great Beans

I’m a huge fan of Bush’s beans. Any of them. And not just in chili. They’re perfect in this chili, though. They belong in this slow cooker Bush’s Best 3-bean chili. I know, there’s some that say chili and beans do not go together. Well, they do. And here’s proof!

Go Visit

Not too far out of Sevierville TN, in Chestnut Hill, you’ll find the Bush’s Best Visitor Center. I cannot possibly recommend it enough. First, you have to get a selfie with Duke, the famous dog from the Bush’s Best commercials. Then you have to go thru the museum. It’s got all sorts of cool exhibits, from a vintage kitchen to a movie about the history of the company and how the beans are made (many of them made right across the street), to fun interactive exhibits. You finish up the museum visit in the original store, where you can buy all sorts of great bean swag and beans! I was super happy to find beans that we don’t have in our local store. And I bought a bean hat…

Go Eat

Right next door to the Bush’s Best Visitor Center you’ll find the Bush’s Family Cafe. And I guarantee, you have to stop in. The food is fantastic. I mean seriously good. And the service was great. Our stops at Bush’s Best Visitor Center are ones we reminiscence about often. We always stop by if we are anywhere near it. You should do. And grab some beans and go home and make some of this chili!

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Also try some over the top smoked chili.

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Bush’s Best 3-Bean Chili

Makes a big batch of delicious warm-you-to-your-bones chili!

Course Main

Cuisine American

Keyword chili, slow cooker

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 4 hours hours

Servings 12

Calories 216kcal

Equipment

• Mixing Bowl
• Slow Cooker

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 small yellow onion chopped
• 1 small green bell pepper chopped
• 3 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 16 ounce Bush's Best dark red kidney beans undrained
• 2 16 ounce Bush's Best pinto beans undrained
• 2 15 ounce Bush's Best black beans undrained
• 14 ½ ounces diced tomatoes I prefer to use fire-roasted tomatoes
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt you might want a little more
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon optional
• sour cream optional, for serving

Instructions

• Brown the ground beef in a large skillet. Drain well.
• Add the onion and bell pepper.
• Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes or until they just start to soften.
• Transfer the mixture to your slow cooker.
• Add the remaining ingredients except for the sour cream. Stir. Taste. Add more salt if desired and stir again.
• Cover and cook on low 3-4 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.,
• Serve topped with a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Notes

Add a sliced or diced jalapeno or two for a little kick!

Nutrition

Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 659mg | Potassium: 446mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 429IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

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