Print

Easy Slow Cooker Beef Chili with Dark Chocolate Kids Love

slow cooker beef chili with dark chocolate - featured image
Print Recipe

A rich, velvety slow cooker beef chili made with dark chocolate for depth and complexity. This family-friendly recipe is easy to prepare, budget-friendly, and perfect for busy weeknights or game days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 2 cups)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted preferred)
  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (Mexican oregano preferred)
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 ounces dark chocolate (70% cocoa), roughly chopped

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned all over (6-8 minutes). Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
  2. Add diced onion to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and cook for another minute until it darkens slightly.
  5. Pour in about ½ cup of beef broth and scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let simmer for 1 minute until slightly thickened, then turn off heat.
  6. Transfer beef mixture to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Add diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, drained kidney beans, drained black beans, diced bell pepper, and remaining beef broth. Stir to combine.
  7. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
  8. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in chopped dark chocolate. Let it melt completely, then stir again. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  9. Let chili sit for 10 minutes before serving. Serve hot with desired toppings.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the beef—it creates essential flavor. Add chocolate at the end to avoid graininess. Use low-sodium canned goods to control salt. If chili is too thin, remove lid for last 30 minutes or mash some beans. If too thick, add a splash of broth. Avoid lifting the lid too often. Use stainless steel or cast iron for browning to prevent metallic taste.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chili, beef chili, dark chocolate chili, easy chili recipe, family dinner, game day chili

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/easy-slow-cooker-beef-chili-with-dark-chocolate-kids-love/