This hearty chocolate chili combines ground beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, peppers, warm spices, and a little dark chocolate. The chocolate doesn’t make the chili taste sweet—it adds depth and gives the sauce a richer, more rounded flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 lb (900 g) ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cans (15 oz/425 g each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cans (14.5 oz/410 g each) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) tomato sauce
- 1½ cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2–3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½–1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1–2 oz (30–60 g) dark chocolate, preferably 70% cocoa
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional: ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions, fresh cilantro
Step 1: Brown the Beef
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