Mole-Inspired Slow Cooker Beef Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-18 · Updated 2026-05-18

A rich and complex beef stew simmered low and slow with dark chocolate, chipotle, and warm spices for a comforting and deeply flavored meal. This Mexican-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 440 minutes, pairs olive oil, large onion, diced, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, 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

• 2 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 (about 1 1/2 cups) large onion, diced
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, canned
• 1 oz unsweetened dark chocolate (70% cacao), chopped
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup for garnish fresh cilantro, chopped
• for serving lime wedges

Slow cookers worth buying for this → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck roast cubes and brown on all sides for 5-7 minutes until crusty and deep brown. Transfer beef to slow cooker.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 diced large onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add 4 cloves minced garlic, 2 minced chipotle peppers in adobo, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1 tsp dried oregano. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Pour the onion and spice mixture into the slow cooker with the beef. Add 3 cups beef broth, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, 1 oz chopped unsweetened dark chocolate, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beef is fork-tender and sauce is thickened.
5. Step 5: Serve the stew garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and lime wedges to squeeze over each bowl for a bright finish.