Description
A quick, 30-minute beef chili recipe that delivers deep, smoky flavor without the hassle of slow cooking. Featuring ground beef, beans, and a secret ingredient of dark chocolate for richness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 fat ratio)
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2–3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced (plus 2–3 tablespoons sauce)
- 1 oz dark chocolate (semi-sweet or bittersweet, at least 60% cocoa)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 large can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, no-drain
- 1 cup beef broth (low-sodium)
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep ingredients: Chop onion, mince garlic, drain beans, and measure spices.
- Brown the beef: Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles. Cook until no longer pink and edges are browned. Remove beef and set aside, leaving some fat in the pot.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same pot, cook diced onion over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Bloom spices: Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cocoa powder to the pot. Stir and cook for 1 minute to release oils.
- Build the sauce: Return beef to the pot. Add tomato paste, minced chipotle peppers with adobo sauce, diced tomatoes, and beef broth. Stir well, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
- Simmer: Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Add the dark chocolate square. Stir occasionally until chocolate melts completely. Simmer for 10-15 minutes to thicken and meld flavors.
- Add beans: Stir in drained beans during the last 5 minutes of simmering just to heat through.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and add salt and black pepper as needed. If too thick, add a splash of water or broth. If too thin, simmer uncovered longer.
Notes
Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Toast cumin seeds if using whole seeds. The dark chocolate adds richness, not sweetness. For a vegetarian version, swap beef for mushrooms and extra beans. For a lighter version, use turkey and low-sodium broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 8
- Protein: 28
Keywords: beef chili, quick chili, dark chocolate chili, chipotle chili, weeknight dinner, comfort food, award-winning recipe