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Cozy Slow Cooker Beef Chili with Dark Chocolate

Cozy Slow Cooker Beef Chili - featured image
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A rich, savory slow cooker beef chili enhanced with dark chocolate for depth and texture. This easy, set-it-and-forget-it recipe uses pantry staples to create a comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds 80/20 ground beef
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 ounce high-quality dark chocolate (70% cacao or higher), chopped

Instructions

  1. Dice the onion and green bell pepper, and mince the garlic. Set aside.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, for 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
  3. Transfer the browned beef to a 6-quart slow cooker.
  4. Add the diced onions, peppers, garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, black beans, and kidney beans to the slow cooker.
  5. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper over the ingredients.
  6. Stir everything together until spices are evenly distributed and tomato paste is mixed in.
  7. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  8. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the chopped dark chocolate until completely dissolved.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed. If too thick, add a splash of broth; if too thin, cook uncovered for 30 minutes.
  10. Serve hot, topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, or tortilla chips.

Notes

Browning the beef is optional but recommended for deeper flavor. The dark chocolate adds richness and depth, not sweetness, especially when using 70% cacao or higher. Let the chili rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld. This recipe is naturally gluten-free; ensure your broth and spices are certified gluten-free if necessary. Can be made vegetarian by swapping beef for lentils and using vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chili, beef chili, dark chocolate chili, comfort food, easy dinner, gluten-free chili, meal prep

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/cozy-slow-cooker-beef-chili-best-10-min-easy-recipe/