In a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook it until it’s nicely browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat before moving on to the next step.
In your slow cooker, combine the browned beef, salt, pepper, chili powder, undrained chili beans, undrained diced tomatoes, dried minced onions, and minced garlic. Stir everything together until well mixed.
Cover your slow cooker and set it on low heat. Allow it to cook for 6-8 hours. If you're short on time, you can set it on high for 3-4 hours, but low and slow is the way to go for maximum flavor.
About 30 minutes before serving, give the chili a good stir. This allows the flavors to meld even more. Once it’s ready, serve it hot with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro.