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Cozy Slow Cooker Beef Chili with Dark Chocolate

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This slow cooker beef chili gets an unexpected depth of flavor from dark chocolate, creating a rich, velvety texture that will surprise and delight. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 works best)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 2 cups)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cans (14.5 oz each) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup beef broth (low-sodium)
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 ounces dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher, chopped)
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, diced avocado, pickled jalapeños, crushed tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until nicely browned (6-8 minutes). Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
  2. Sauté aromatics: Add diced onion to the skillet with the beef. Cook 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Bloom spices: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper over the beef mixture. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Transfer to slow cooker: Dump beef mixture into a 6-quart slow cooker. Add fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, drained kidney beans, drained black beans, and beef broth. Stir to combine.
  5. Add chocolate: Chop dark chocolate into small pieces and add to slow cooker. Stir until chocolate begins to melt.
  6. Slow cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  7. Taste and adjust: About 30 minutes before serving, taste and adjust seasoning. Add more salt, cayenne, or extra chocolate if desired.
  8. Rest before serving: Let chili sit on warm for 10 minutes before serving. Serve hot with desired toppings.

Notes

For best flavor, brown the beef in batches if needed to avoid steaming. Blooming the spices in the pan is crucial for depth. Let the chili rest overnight in the fridge for even better flavor. If chili is too thin, remove lid and cook on high for 20-30 minutes. If too thick, add a splash of beef broth. Always rinse beans to avoid a gluey texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chili, beef chili, dark chocolate chili, comfort food, game day chili, freezer-friendly chili

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/cozy-slow-cooker-beef-chili-with-dark-chocolate/