Slow Cooker Green Chile Beef Chili

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The Easy Gluten-Free Dinner You’ll Crave All Summer

When the temperatures soar in August, the last thing most of us want to do is stand over a hot stove. That’s where your slow cooker becomes your best friend. With just a few minutes of prep in the morning, you can let dinner cook itself while you go about your day, and your kitchen stays cool.

This Slow Cooker Green Chile Beef Chili is hearty, comforting, and packed with bold Southwestern flavor, making it perfect for those days when you want something satisfying without the extra effort. Even better, HATCH® Green Enchilada Sauce does much of the heavy lifting, adding roasted green chile flavor, spices, and just the right amount of heat without having to roast peppers or build a sauce from scratch. It’s one of those pantry shortcuts that delivers homemade flavor with minimal work.

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Green Chile Beef Chili

This isn’t your typical tomato-based chili. Instead, tender chunks of beef simmer slowly in a rich green chile broth made with HATCH® Green Enchilada Sauce, fire-roasted tomatoes, hearty chili beans, onions, and warm cumin. The result is a deeply flavorful meal that’s both comforting and surprisingly simple to make.

It’s also naturally:

  • Gluten-free
  • Dairy-free (without cheese garnish)
  • Egg-free
  • Nut-free
  • Soy-free
  • Refined sugar-free

HATCH® Green Enchilada Sauce Is the Ultimate Shortcut

Great recipes don’t have to start from scratch. One of the smartest ways to simplify cooking is to use quality prepared ingredients that add layers of flavor.

HATCH Green Enchilada Sauce combines roasted green chiles, savory seasonings, and a balanced tanginess that would otherwise take much longer to create yourself. Instead of buying multiple ingredients and roasting peppers, you simply open one can and let your slow cooker do the rest.

It’s a shortcut that saves time without sacrificing flavor.

Slow Cooker Meals Are Perfect for Hot Summer Days

There’s a reason slow cookers become kitchen heroes year-round.

During August, they offer several advantages:

  • They don’t heat up your kitchen like an oven.
  • Dinner cooks while you’re at work or enjoying the day.
  • Tough cuts of beef become incredibly tender after slow cooking.
  • Cleanup is minimal.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day.

A few minutes of browning the beef before adding it to the slow cooker creates deeper flavor, while the long, gentle cooking time transforms simple ingredients into a rich, satisfying chili.

Tips for the Best Green Chile Beef Chili

Brown the beef first

Although it’s tempting to skip this step, browning the stew meat develops rich caramelized flavor that carries through the finished chili.

Let the slow cooker do the work

After everything goes into the slow cooker, simply cover and cook on Low for about 8 hours or High for 4 hours until the beef becomes fork tender.

Finish with fresh toppings

Creamy avocado, bright cilantro, tangy cotija cheese, fresh lime wedges, or crunchy gluten-free tortilla chips all add wonderful texture and freshness to every bowl.

What You’ll Need

  • Beef stew meat
  • HATCH® Green Enchilada Sauce
  • Fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • Chili beans
  • Yellow onion
  • Ground cumin
  • Avocado oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • Optional garnishes like avocado, cilantro, cotija cheese, lime wedges, and gluten-free tortilla chips

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely. In fact, the flavors continue to develop overnight, making leftovers even more delicious.

Can I freeze Green Chile Beef Chili?

Yes. Allow the chili to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to three months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Yes. Chuck roast cut into cubes works beautifully and becomes exceptionally tender after slow cooking.

Is this chili spicy?

The heat level is generally mild to medium, depending on the variety of enchilada sauce you choose. If you like more heat, add diced jalapeños or your favorite hot sauce before serving.

Variations

  • Add diced green chiles for extra chile flavor.
  • Stir in frozen corn during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
  • Swap the beef for boneless chicken thighs for a lighter version.
  • Top with sliced radishes or pickled onions for added crunch.
  • Serve over cooked rice or baked potatoes for an even heartier meal.

Why This Recipe Works

Recipes like this demonstrate that delicious gluten-free cooking doesn’t have to be complicated. Using convenient pantry staples like HATCH® Green Enchilada Sauce allows you to create layers of flavor while spending less time in the kitchen. Combined with the slow cooker, it’s a practical solution for busy weeknights, especially during the hottest months of the year.

Our Recipe Testing Notes

At Gluten Free & More, we develop recipes with busy home cooks in mind. We look for quality gluten-free ingredients that simplify cooking without compromising flavor. Browning the beef before slow cooking adds richness, while HATCH® Green Enchilada Sauce provides a shortcut that still delivers the bold Southwestern flavors you’d expect from a chili that simmered all day.

More Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Love:

Gluten-Free Dijon Beer Brats

Soy-Free Slow Cooker Quinoa Congee with Mayak Eggs

Slow Cooker Lentil Stew

Slow Cooker Leg of Lamb with Gravy

Black Bean Chilaquiles Recipe

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Slow Cooker Green Chile Beef Chili

By Gluten Free & More
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Servings: 6
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Ingredients 

  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 2 pounds beef stew meat
  • 1 (15-ounce) can HATCH® Green Enchilada Sauce
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans chili beans in sauce, undrained
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Optional Garnishes: Diced avocado, chopped fresh cilantro, crumbled cotija cheese, lime wedges, crushed gluten-free tortilla chips

Instructions 

  • Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper. Brown on all sides.
  • Place the beef stew meat in a 6-quart slow cooker.
  • Add the HATCH® Green Enchilada Sauce, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, chili beans with their sauce, diced onion, and cumin. Stir to combine. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  • Cover and cook on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
  • Stir the chili well and taste. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
  • Ladle into bowls and garnish with avocado, cilantro, cotija cheese, lime wedges, or crushed gluten-free tortilla chips, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 269kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 35gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 548mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 477IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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