Bring a Trailer Auction Chili
A smoky, slow-cooked chili with rich beef, kidney beans, and a hint of chocolate, perfect for chilly evenings. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 105 minutes pairs ground beef, diced onion, diced green bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 1 can kidney beans
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 oz dark chocolate
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown 1 lb ground beef, breaking it into small pieces, for 5-7 minutes until no pink remains. Remove beef with a slotted spoon, leaving drippings in the pot.
- Step 2: Add 1/2 cup diced onion and 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper to the pot. Cook for 4 minutes until softened. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, and 1 tbsp tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Return the beef to the pot.
- Step 4: Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1 can kidney beans (rinsed), 1 cup beef broth, 1 tbsp cocoa powder, and 1 oz chopped dark chocolate. Stir until the chocolate melts.
- Step 5: Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 60 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to thicken.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bring a Trailer Auction Chili take to make?
Total time is about 105 minutes (20 min prep + 85 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Bring a Trailer Auction Chili?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bring a Trailer Auction Chili?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bring a Trailer Auction Chili for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Bring a Trailer Auction Chili?
American slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
