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Flavorful Smoky Chipotle Beef Chili with Dark Chocolate

smoky chipotle beef chili - featured image
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A rich, complex, and smoky beef chili that balances heat with depth using dark chocolate. This hearty meal is perfect for cold weather and features simple ingredients for maximum flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds 85/15 lean ground beef
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2–3 whole chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
  • 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from the can
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes (no-salt-added)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 ounce high-quality dark chocolate (70% cacao or higher), chopped
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 8-10 minutes until fully browned with a deep crust. Drain excess fat, leaving about a tablespoon.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic, chipotle peppers, and adobo sauce; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes to toast the spices.
  4. Pour in crushed tomatoes and beef broth. Scrape the bottom of the pot to release browned bits and stir to combine.
  5. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
  6. Stir in rinsed black beans and kidney beans. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes until the chili thickens.
  7. Remove from heat. Stir in chopped dark chocolate until melted. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot.

Notes

For best results, do not rush the browning of the beef. Let the chili rest or make it a day ahead for deeper flavors. Use high-quality dark chocolate (70% cacao) to avoid sweetness and ensure smooth melting. Can be made in a slow cooker by browning meat first, then cooking on low for 6-8 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: chipotle beef chili, dark chocolate chili, smoky chili, comfort food, gluten-free chili, slow cooker chili, hearty stew

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/flavorful-smoky-chipotle-beef-chili-7-step-perfect-meal/