Mole-Inspired Beef Chili with Dark Chocolate

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-18 · Updated 2026-06-18

Hearty beef chili infused with rich cocoa and warm spices, delivering deep layers of flavor with a hint of smokiness and subtle chocolate bitterness. This Mexican-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs ground beef, yellow onion, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, 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 large, diced yellow onion
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 1 can (14.5 oz) canned diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed kidney beans
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 oz, chopped dark chocolate
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup, chopped for garnish fresh cilantro
• optional, for serving sour cream

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 large diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef to the pot, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and no pink remains.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for 1 minute until spices are fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, 1 can (15 oz) drained kidney beans, and 1 cup beef broth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Stir in 1 oz chopped dark chocolate until melted and incorporated.
5. Step 5: Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chili thickens and flavors meld. Serve topped with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream if desired.