Secret Ingredient Chili with Chocolate – Rich, Bold & Unexpected

Okay, hear me out—chocolate in chili isn’t as wild as it sounds. In fact, once you try it, you may never go back. Think of this like a Southern twist on mole: rich, layered, just a little mysterious. And no, you won’t actually taste chocolate. Instead, it blends in, adding this warm depth and silky smooth finish that makes you go, what is that??

This recipe is inspired by a memory and a photo of a chocolate bar slowly melting into a bubbling pot of chili. It’s bold, it’s cozy, and it’s just plain good. Trust me, your people will ask for seconds.

🌿 Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
• 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1–2 squares (or about 1 oz) dark chocolate OR 1/4 bar of plain milk chocolate
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional but great)
• 1 cup water or broth as needed

🍳 Instructions

1. Sauté the Veggies

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook until soft, about 5 minutes.

2. Brown the Meat

Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as you go. Drain any excess fat.

3. Add Beans and Tomatoes

Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beans, and all the spices. Mix well to combine.

4. The Secret Ingredient

Drop in your chocolate square (or a section of a chocolate bar, as shown in the photo). Stir it into the chili and let it slowly melt. You won’t taste chocolate—but you’ll notice a deeper, smoother flavor.

5. Simmer Low and Slow

Add water or broth to loosen things up a bit, then reduce heat and let your chili simmer for 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

☕️ Serving Suggestions

• Top with shredded cheddar, sour cream, and green onions
• Serve over cornbread or rice
• Make it into chili dogs or Frito pie!

💡 Tips & Swaps

• Use cocoa powder if you don’t have a chocolate bar (1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa)
• Adjust spice to taste with more chili powder or a dash of cayenne
• Go meatless with extra beans or lentils for a vegetarian version
• Add beer or coffee instead of water for even more flavor depth

So tell me, have you ever added chocolate to your chili? Or do you have your own secret twist? Let’s swap ideas in the comments!

Secret Ingredient Chili with Chocolate

This comforting chili recipe gets a bold, rich twist from a secret ingredient—chocolate! A savory-sweet, mole-inspired dish that warms you from the inside out.

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Ingredients

  

• - 2 tbsp olive oil
• - 1 onion diced
• - 1 green pepper chopped
• - 3 garlic cloves minced
• - 1 lb ground beef
• - 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
• - 1 15 oz can kidney beans
• - 1 15 oz can black beans
• - 1 6 oz can tomato paste
• - 2 tbsp chili powder
• - 1 tsp cumin
• - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• - Salt & pepper to taste
• - 1 oz chocolate bar or 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• - 1/2 tsp cinnamon optional
• - 1 cup broth or water

Instructions

 

• Heat oil in pot; add onion, garlic, pepper. Cook until soft.
• Add beef; brown and drain.
• Stir in tomatoes, beans, tomato paste, spices.
• Add chocolate and let melt into chili.
• Simmer 30–45 mins, stirring occasionally.
• Serve hot with toppings of choice.

Notes

- Dark chocolate works best, but milk chocolate adds a creamy finish too.
- Tastes even better the next day!