Crock Pot Beef, Bean & Bacon Soup

Total Time: 4 hrs 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 5 slices bacon, cooked, drained and chopped
• 1 lb ground sirloin or 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 celery ribs, finely chopped
• 1 cup lager beer
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can beef broth
• 1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
• 1 (12 ounce) bottle chili sauce
• 1 (10 ounce) can rotel tomatoes & chilies
• 1 (15 1/2 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 1/2 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 1/2 ounce) can pinto beans, drained
• 1 (15 1/4 ounce) can niblet corn, drained
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/2-1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 2 -3 teaspoons cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• cayenne, pinch (optional)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• fresh baked corn tortilla strips or tortilla chips or corn chips, garnish
• shredded cheddar cheese, garnish
• sour cream, garnish
• green onion, chopped, garnish

Recipe

• 1 in large nonstick skillet, saute ground sirloin, onion, garlic and celery over medium to medium-high heat until beef is browned and crumbles (be sure not to have heat too high so you don't burn the garlic); drain fat.
• 2 add ground beef mixture to a 5-quart or large slow cooker.
• 3 add the bacon and the rest of the ingredients to the crock pot, except for the garnishes; mix well.
• 4 cover and cook on low setting for 6-8 hours or on high setting for 3-4 hours.
• 5 to serve, garnish with any of the following: fresh tortilla strips, tortilla chips, corn chips, shredded cheese, sour cream and green onions.
• 6 don't forget to remove the bay leaf.
• 7 enjoy!