Coffee-Infused Beef Chili with Chipotle and Cocoa
A rich and deeply flavored chili that uses brewed coffee and cocoa powder to enhance the smoky chipotle heat and tender beef. This american-inspired beef ready in about 55 minutes turns ground beef, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 2 minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 cup brewed strong coffee
- 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed kidney beans
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 cup water
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 4 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp salt, and 0.5 tsp black pepper, coating the beef and onion mixture evenly.
- Step 5: Pour in 1 cup brewed strong coffee, 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 0.5 cup water, and 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed kidney beans. Mix well.
- Step 6: Bring the chili to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover. Let cook gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavors meld.
- Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Coffee-Infused Beef Chili with Chipotle and Cocoa take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Coffee-Infused Beef Chili with Chipotle and Cocoa?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Coffee-Infused Beef Chili with Chipotle and Cocoa?
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 Coffee-Infused Beef Chili with Chipotle and Cocoa for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Coffee-Infused Beef Chili with Chipotle and Cocoa?
American beef 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.
