I don’t think that this winter is EVER going to end!! I am over, done, finished with the cold weather. I feel so bad for my friends who don’t live in the south because I know that they have it MUCH worse than we do here in southern Georgia…sorry guys 🙁 During out last cold snap I made what I am calling my Lean Mean Slow Cookin’ Chili Machine for my family and it was a HUGE hit! Nothing like a huge bowl of protein and fiber-filled goodness to warm you up and fill you up until Mother Nature decides to quit with all of this cold, miserable weather.
Lean Mean Slow Cooker Chili Machine is quite a name, don’t you think? The reason I came up with it is because there are two types of beans and two types of meat protein in this chili!! It is not for the faint of heart 🙂 LOL! That is a knockout on the protein and fiber front, don’t you think? I kept it lean by using turkey sausage and 93% lean ground beef (you could also use ground chicken breast or turkey if you wish and that would be equally delicious). I also make my own chili spice mix. No crappy store-bought stuff here!
Lean Mean Slow Cooker Chili Machine is one of those dump and go recipes that I love so much! As you have heard me say before, just dump all your ingredients in your slow cooker, set it for 8 hours on low and then you come home to a dinner that is waiting for you! Now this isn’t the MOST healthiest meal I have ever posted, but it isn’t too bad… I may have taken it a bit too far with the double protein, but at least it is lean protein 😉 You could take out one or both of the meat proteins, if that fits your needs better. Taking out both and using vegetable broth would make this a vegetarian meal. Either way it is still a clean meal and WAY BETTER than running through a fast food restaurant on your way home from work!! Add a little dollop of 1% plain greek yogurt and a sprinkle of cilantro and dive in! I have to say…your probably going to want seconds 😉
- 1 large sweet onion, chopped
- 3-4 cloves of fresh garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 lb. extra-lean ground beef (at least 93%, frozen is fine)
- 16 oz. lean smoked turkey sausage, sliced
- 2 (15 oz.) cans reduced-sodium dark red kidney beans (or fresh beans)
- 1 (15 oz.) can reduced-sodium light red kidney beans (or fresh beans)
- 2 (10 oz.) cans Rotel (or similar variety) diced tomatoes with green chilis
- 1 (8 oz.) can no-salt added tomato sauce
- 4 cups no-sodium or low-sodium beef broth
- 3 tbsp. chili powder
- 1 tbsp. chipotle chili powder
- 1 tbsp. cumin
- 1 tbsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. ground coriander
- Sea or pink himalayan salt & fresh ground pepper to taste.
- Optional Garnishes: 1% plain greek yogurt and cilantro.
- Line the bowl of a slow cooker with a slow cooker liner or mist with olive oil.
- Add the onion and garlic to the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the meat, beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth and all spices. Stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Garnish with 1% plain greek yogurt and a sprinkle of cilantro.
Feel free to take out one or both of the meat proteins, if that fit your needs better. Taking out both meat proteins and using vegetable broth would make this a vegetarian meal. Leave off the greek yogurt for a vegan option.
Fresh tomatoes and green chilis can be substituted for the Rotel tomatoes as well.
