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Chilli in Slow Cooker?

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Hi everyone
Just a quick question - I have looked through about 20 pages of the 'slow cooker quick questions' thread but can't find an answer.
I have just bought a slow cooker and would like to try chilli in it on Monday while I am at work. - 2 questions:-
1. Do I need to brown the mince first?
2. Will the kidney beans (tinned) be ok in there - seem to think I've read somewhere that they need to be boiled to kill bacteria?

Hoping my first attempt using the SC will be successful as DH is apprehensive to say the least!
Thank you
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2015 Mortgage overpayments = £
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Comments

  • hi I dont personally bother browning the mince just bung everything in and give it a good stir the kidney beans are fine it you use tinned its only dried ones that need to be soaked then boiled first
  • Superbiatch
    Superbiatch Posts: 585 Forumite
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  • vgstar44
    vgstar44 Posts: 129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Hi there!!

    I make chilli in my slow cooker alot and its always turns out yummy.

    You dont need to brown the mince....just make sure you break it up well and spread it rather than having it in large chucks as it will pretty much end up staying like that.

    Also the kidney beans are fine to cook in there too.
    no problem with bacteria or anything like that ......if it can cook chicken with no problems then kidney beans are no match for it.

    Hope it tastes nice....you have put me in the mood now :-)
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  • Aarons_mummy
    Aarons_mummy Posts: 961 Forumite
    I don't brown the meat either.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 17,413 Forumite
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    Neither do I I just chuck everything in and turn it on just before bedtime and in the morning its all cooked beautifully and ready to portion up for my freezer.I also have a handful of lentils to bulk it out a bit .In fact almost anything gets chucked in my chilli as its a very forgiving meal that will take all sorts of odds and $ods to use them up. If I haven't meat I will make a veggie chilli instead which is great with rice and a very inexpensive meal to make .
  • zippychick
    zippychick Posts: 9,339 Forumite
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    Im a bit odd where i would brown the meat but it's one of those long standing things people disagree on!

    There is a thread on browning meat which should help you see what others do.

    Oddly enough I am a bit paranoid about cooking kidney beans too so will be interested to read the other replies

    Bless you for looking up threads :D I will merge this with slow cooker quick qs later.

    Bung it all in, leave it and return to a heavenly meal. It can't be easier!

    we also have a kidney beans in slow cooker thread if that helps.

    Zip :)
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  • gizmo111
    gizmo111 Posts: 2,663 Forumite
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    Browning the mince is a matter of choice but I like ot brown it to get the fat out else the meal ends up swimming in it.
    Kidney beans are absolutely fine in the SC
    Mama read so much about the dangers of drinking alcohol and eating chocolate that she immediately gave up reading.
  • I have always been led to believe that if you're cooking dried kidney beans then they need to be soaked overnight and then boiled rapidly for ten minutes before simmering to cook through - there's something in them that is harmful if not cooked properly. I'm happy to be corrected though.
    Tinned kidney beans are fine just chucked in the slow cooker too.
    I don't brown meat generally for the sc.

    One tip for kidney beans, or any dried bean-type thing, is to soak and cook a huge pan-full and then freeze the beans in recipe-sized portions.
  • anniemf2508
    anniemf2508 Posts: 1,848 Forumite
    i always brown my mince first.
    Tinned kidney beans are fine to just bung in but dried ones need to be soaked overnight then boiled. As someone else said, if you're gonna do that do a big batch then freeze them.
  • happy35
    happy35 Posts: 1,616 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    i always brown the mince and drain the fat off, i find you still get quite bit of fat even if you buy low fat mince

    I dont brown other meat though before putting in the slow cooker as i always make sure there is no fat on it
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