Chilly weather means it’s Chili weather!

That nip in the air gets me thinking about hearty meals that warm from within. Nothing really fits the bill like chili, but tacos are my one true love….what to do? Combine these flavors in a set and forget crockpot masterpiece.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 standard packets of taco seasoning (I prefer low sodium)
• 2 14 oz cans petite diced tomatoes, not drained
• 1 7 or 8 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 6oz can tomato paste
• 2 cups beef stock
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
• 1 sweet onion, diced
• 1 large green bell pepper, diced
• 1 small jalapeño, minced (remove seeds and ribs)
• 1 14 oz can corn, drained and rinsed
• 1 14 oz can black Chili beans, not drained
• 1 14oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 14oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 14oz can refried beans (I prefer fat free)
• 2 10oz cans tomato and green chilies, not drained
• 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cayenne powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons Chipotle Tobasco sauce

I know what you’re thinking….damn that’s alot of ingredients! Worth it though let me tell you, and most just require you to open a can. Please don’t let it detract you from making it!

Instructions

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground meat. Stir and break up the meat as it cooks for 7-8 minutes, or until completely cooked through. Then add 1 packet of taco seasoning and the can of refried beans. Combine well.
2. Add your meat and beans mix to your FULLY LINED crockpot (lining it saves you the cleanup later!)
3. Add the remaining ingredients. Stir everything together until combined. Cook on low for 8 hours.
4. Serve chili warm topped with chopped green onion, shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado slices, jalapeños, or whatever your taco chili loving heart desires!
5. Cover and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove.

This is yummy, probably one of my favorite recipes to date. The taco flavor in chili, is just so genius (if I do say so myself!), and the sweetness of the sweet potato melds perfectly with the spiciness of all the spices and chipotle. Once you add your favorite toppings, you’d almost believe you have a bowl of tacos! I hope you enjoy this as much as we did, and if you do, the only sad part will be the lack of leftovers.