Chocolate Chili

This Chocolate Chili is a bold and flavorful twist on the classic comfort food, combining smoky spices with the rich depth of dark chocolate for a unique and hearty dish. It starts with a savory base of sautéed onions, garlic, and ground beef, seasoned generously with chili powder, cumin, and coriander. A mix of diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and kidney or black beans adds body and texture, while beef stock ensures the chili simmers to a perfect consistency. This chili doesn’t just taste good, it offers amazing health benefits as well: antioxidant protection from the chocolate and metabolism support from the chili powder.

The star ingredient, dark chocolate, doesn’t make the dish sweet; instead, it deepens the flavor, balancing the heat of the spices with a subtle bitterness and a velvety texture. The result is a rich, complex chili that’s both comforting and exciting, perfect for serving with cornbread, tortilla chips, or a dollop of sour cream. This dish is a crowd-pleaser, marrying tradition with a creative, indulgent twist.

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Chocolate Chili

Yield: 4

Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 50 Min

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Ingredients

• 1 tbsp avocado or olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef (or ground meat of choice)
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 cup diced sweet pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups beef stock
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with their juices
• 1 can (14.5 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 - 2 tbsp cacao powder
• 1 - 2 oz unsweetened chocolate
• 3 cups cooked beans of choice (if using canned, drain and rinse)
• 2 cups diced butternut squash
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5 minutes or so until it is cooked through.
2. Add the onions, peppers, garlic, chili powder, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, and tomato paste and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the remaining ingredients. When adding the cacao powder and unsweetened chocolate, start with the smaller amounts. You can add more later if desired.
4. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 30 - 40 minutes. Reseason with salt, pepper, and more chocolate if desired.
5. Serve with your desired accompaniments. Good choices are avocado, sour cream, lime wedges, cheddar cheese, green onions, and rice or pasta.

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