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Best Ever Beef Chili with Dark Chocolate: 30-Min Easy Recipe

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A rich, deep-flavored beef chili made with simple pantry ingredients and a secret square of dark chocolate for added richness and texture. Ready in under 30 minutes of active prep, this weeknight savior is perfect for cold nights and meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15-oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 (15-oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15-oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 ounce semi-sweet or bittersweet dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa), chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep ingredients: Dice onion, mince garlic, rinse beans, and chop dark chocolate into small pieces.
  2. Sear the beef: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Drain excess fat if desired.
  3. Sauté aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add onion and a pinch of salt. Cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Bloom the spices: Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Stir constantly for 1 minute to release essential oils.
  5. Build the sauce: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and beef broth. Scrape the bottom of the pot to release browned bits.
  6. Add beans and simmer: Stir in kidney and black beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover partially and simmer for 15-20 minutes (or up to 45 minutes for deeper flavor).
  7. Melt the chocolate: Remove pot from heat. Stir in chopped dark chocolate until melted and incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  8. Serve: Ladle into bowls and serve hot with toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro.

Notes

For best results, brown the beef thoroughly and bloom the spices. The flavors improve overnight, making it ideal for meal prep. If using a slow cooker, brown beef and onions first, then cook on low for 6-8 hours. Add chocolate in the last 30 minutes. For a thicker consistency, simmer uncovered; for thinner, add more broth. A splash of vinegar or lime juice before serving can brighten the flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef chili, dark chocolate chili, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food, gluten-free chili, meal prep, slow cooker chili

Find it online: https://bakebeam.com/best-ever-beef-chili-with-dark-chocolate-30-min-easy-recipe/