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Wholesome Slow Cooker Beef Chili with Dark Chocolate

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This wholesome slow cooker beef chili with dark chocolate is a rich, savory, and deeply flavorful twist on classic chili. The dark chocolate adds complexity without sweetness, making it a comforting yet healthy meal that’s perfect for meal prep and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 pounds ground beef (85/15 preferred)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 2 cups)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 bell peppers, diced (1 red, 1 green)
  • 2 jalapeños, seeded and minced
  • 2 cans (14.5 oz each) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce (no sugar added)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups 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
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 ounces dark chocolate (70% cacao or higher)

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned all over (about 10 minutes). Drain excess fat, leaving a little for flavor.
  2. Sweat the aromatics: Add diced onion to the same skillet with the beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic, bell peppers, and jalapeños. Cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Transfer to slow cooker: Dump the beef and vegetable mixture into a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
  4. Add canned goods: Pour in fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, drained black beans, and drained kidney beans. Stir well.
  5. Season: Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, pepper, and bay leaves. Pour in beef broth and stir until combined.
  6. Add chocolate: Chop dark chocolate into small pieces and sprinkle over the top. Stir until melted.
  7. Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
  8. Adjust and serve: Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with desired toppings.

Notes

For best flavor, brown the meat properly and toast the spices in the hot pan for 30 seconds. Add beans about 2 hours before serving to prevent mushiness. This chili tastes even better the next day. If too thin, leave lid off for last 30 minutes. If too thick, add extra broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chili, beef chili, dark chocolate chili, healthy chili, meal prep chili, comfort food

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