Shipwreck Beans Recipe With Ground Beef for Easy Crockpot Meals

Crockpot Kidney Bean Ground Beef

Crockpot Kidney Bean Ground Beef is a slow cooker meal made with ground beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. The hands-off cooking time makes it worth making when you want a hearty dinner without standing over the stove. As it cooks, the garlic, onion, and chili powder fill the kitchen with a warm, savory smell. I make this kind of meal when I want something simple that can cook while I handle the rest of the day.

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Kidney Bean Ground Beef

• Hands-off cooking: Combine the ingredients in the slow cooker, stir, and let the meal cook on low for 6-8 hours.
• Hearty ingredients: Ground beef and kidney beans make this a filling main dish.
• Simple grocery list: The recipe uses common ingredients, including canned beans, diced tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and garlic.
• One-pot cleanup: Everything cooks together in the slow cooker, so there are fewer dishes to wash.
• Good texture: The vegetables become tender while the beans and tomatoes create a thick, spoonable meal.

How To Make Crockpot Kidney Bean Ground Beef

Add the ground beef, drained and rinsed kidney beans, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, chopped bell pepper, and minced garlic to the slow cooker. Sprinkle in the chili powder, salt, and pepper, then stir until everything is mixed. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the beef is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Serve the hot mixture as soon as it is ready.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a slow cooker, combine the ground beef, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and garlic.
2. Sprinkle with chili powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir everything together to mix well.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the beef is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
5. Serve hot and enjoy your hearty meal!

How To Serve Crockpot Kidney Bean Ground Beef

Serve Crockpot Kidney Bean Ground Beef in bowls with a spoon or fork, depending on how thick the mixture is. A simple side of bread can help round out the meal and gives you something to use for any extra tomato mixture.

You can also serve it with rice for a more filling plate. Add a crisp green salad or sliced vegetables for a fresh contrast. For a casual dinner, place the slow cooker on the table and let everyone serve themselves while the meal is hot.

How To Store Crockpot Kidney Bean Ground Beef

Let leftovers cool, then place them in a covered container in the refrigerator. Use refrigerated leftovers within 3 to 4 days. Store the mixture in smaller containers if you want quicker portions to reheat.

To reheat, warm a serving in the microwave or in a saucepan until hot throughout. Stir during reheating so the heat spreads evenly. If the mixture seems thick after chilling, stir it well before serving.

Crockpot Kidney Bean Ground Beef can also be frozen in freezer-safe containers. Leave a little room at the top for expansion, thaw it in the refrigerator, and reheat it until hot throughout.

Tips For Making Crockpot Kidney Bean Ground Beef

• Rinse the beans: Drain and rinse the kidney beans before adding them so extra canning liquid does not go into the slow cooker.
• Chop evenly: Cut the onion and bell pepper into similar-sized pieces so they cook at the same pace.
• Mix well: Stir after adding the seasonings to spread the chili powder, salt, and pepper through the full mixture.
• Keep the lid on: Avoid opening the slow cooker often during the 6-8 hour cooking time, since the recipe needs steady heat.
• Check the beef: The dish is ready when the beef is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
• Taste before serving: Add any final salt or pepper only after the cooking is complete and the mixture is hot.

Variations

• Ingredient swap: Use a different type of canned bean instead of kidney beans if that is what you have. Drain and rinse the beans before adding them.
• Add-in option: Add extra chopped onion or bell pepper if you want more vegetables in the finished dish.
• Different cooking method: For a stovetop version, cook the ingredients together in a large pot until the beef is cooked through and the vegetables are tender, checking the pot as it cooks.

FAQs

Can I Make Crockpot Kidney Bean Ground Beef Ahead Of Time?

Yes, you can prepare the ingredients in the slow cooker insert ahead of cooking and keep them covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook. For food safety, keep the uncooked ingredients cold and cook the dish according to the listed directions.

Can I Use A Different Bean Instead Of Kidney Beans?

You can use another canned bean as an option. Drain and rinse the replacement beans first, then add the same amount in place of the kidney beans.

Does Crockpot Kidney Bean Ground Beef Freeze Well?

Yes, this dish can be frozen in freezer-safe containers. Thaw it in the refrigerator, then reheat it in the microwave or in a saucepan until hot throughout.

Can I Double This Recipe?

Doubling the ingredients may require a larger slow cooker so the food has enough room to cook evenly. Stir the ingredients well and make sure the beef is cooked through and the vegetables are tender before serving.

How Do I Know When It Is Done?

The dish is done when the beef is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. The full cooking time is 6-8 hours on low, but use those texture checks as the final guide.

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