Slow Cooker Double Beef and Bean Chili

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp

vegetable oil

1 lb

beef chuck roast (cut into bite-size pieces (or pre-cut beef stew meat))

1 lb

lean ground beef

salt and fresh ground black pepper (to taste)

1 1/2 cups

chopped onion

1 tbsp

minced garlic

1 28 ounce can

crushed tomatoes (use fire-roasted if you can find them)

1 8 ounce can

tomato sauce

1 cup

low-sodium beef broth

2 tbsp

chili powder

2 tsp

ground cumin

2 tsp

oregano

1/2 tsp

crushed red pepper flakes (see recipe notes)

bay leaf

1 15 ounce can

kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 15 ounce can

pinto beans, rinsed and drained

Toppings: shredded cheese (chopped onion, cilantro, avocado, pickled jalapenos, sour cream, salsa or hot sauce)