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Spicy Chili with Dark Chocolate Recipe

By: Andrea Alden

To celebrate National Chocolate Day on October 28th, I created three savory dishes that prove Chocolate isn’t just for dessert. You can check out my Chocolate Rubbed Back Ribs and Chocolate Rubbed Steaks here. After experimenting with a few different applications of chocolate in savory food, it was decided that I had to use the real thing in a dish. Also, it’s nearly November, something warming, like a stew, was definitely needed as well. This Spicy Chili with Dark Chocolate is the strangest chili that I have ever made, though it is certainly the most delicious. If you need a warm bowl of yum on a cool day, you need to try this chili.

Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
90 min
Yield
8
Difficulty
Easy

Spicy Chili with Dark Chocolate Recipe

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Ingredients

Method

Photos

Ingredients

1 lb.

ground beef
(ground sausage, turkey, or a combination)

2 tbsp.

butter

1 tbsp. 

oil

medium onion, diced

2

jalapeño peppers, diced

sweet bell pepper, diced
(use your favorite color)

carrots, sliced

6 to 8 

mushrooms, sliced

cloves of garlic, minced

6 cups

diced/crushed tomatoes in herbs and spices

1 can

tomato paste

½ cup (125 g.)

70 to 80% extra dark chocolate, chopped

1 can (540 ml)

of beans (optional)

Chili Seasoning Spice

4 tsp.

chili powder

1 tsp. 

crushed red pepper – plus more to taste

1 tbsp.

onion powder

1 tbsp. 

garlic powder

2 tsp. 

ground cumin

2 tsp. 

dried parsley

1 tbsp.

salt

1 tsp. 

dried basil

Method
  1. In a dutch oven, or grill safe pot with lid, on the side burner of your grill, melt the butter and oil. Add the onion and sweat it until the onion is tender. Add the beef and jalapeño, continuing to cook until the beef is cooked through.
  2. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, the peppers, carrots, mushrooms, and garlic. You can add beans if you would like Mexican-Style Chili instead of Spanish-Style Chili without beans. Add the Chili Seasoning Spices and mix well. Bring the contents of your dutch oven (or pot that fits in your grill) to a simmer.
  3. Preheat your grill to 350°F.
  4. Stir in the chopped chocolate and move the chili off your side burner onto the grill and put the lid on the dutch oven or pot. Close the lid of the grill. Cook the chili using indirect heat for at least 1 hour, or until the carrots are fork tender.
  5. Serve hot with fresh bread, tortilla chips, sour cream, cheese, or whatever else you love with or on your chili.

Spicy Chili with Dark Chocolate is just spicy enough without being overpowering. The chocolate adds a silky, creaminess that is not only unexpected, but delicious too. Whether you are a bean lover or bean skeptic this chili ticks all of the boxes in the flavor and filling department. I have to ask though, what’s the strangest thing you have put in your chili?

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Cook the onion and beef

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Add tomatoes

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And tons of veggies

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Chop some dark chocolate

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Add it to the pot

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Stir it in

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Serve with tortilla chips

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And cheese

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Warms you up on a cold day

AndreaAlden
Andrea Alden

I used to be the Sultana of Sizzle, but you can call me Andrea. I have always been passionate about food. Even though I was majoring in Art and Graphic Design, I would frequently be found cooking for my friends and family.

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Cook the onion and beef

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Add tomatoes

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And tons of veggies

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Chop some dark chocolate

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Add it to the pot

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Stir it in

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Serve with tortilla chips

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And cheese

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Warms you up on a cold day

Accessories

Feel like a professional griller