Mole-Inspired Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Cocoa and Chilies
A rich and complex Mexican-inspired beef stew slow cooked with dried chilies, cocoa powder, and warm spices for tender meat and a deep, smoky flavor. This mexican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 265 minutes pairs beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch cubes, dried ancho chilies, stemmed and seeded, large yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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 2-inch cubes
- 3 dried ancho chilies, stemmed and seeded
- 2 dried guajillo chilies, stemmed and seeded
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Toast 3 dried ancho chilies and 2 dried guajillo chilies in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, then soak in 1 cup hot water for 15 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs beef chuck roast cubes seasoned with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Brown the beef on all sides, about 5-6 minutes, then transfer to a slow cooker.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 large diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Transfer to slow cooker.
- Step 4: Puree the soaked chilies with 1 cup soaking liquid, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp ground cinnamon until smooth. Pour the chili sauce and 4 cups beef broth over the beef in the slow cooker.
- Step 5: Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until beef is tender and sauce is thickened. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mole-Inspired Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Cocoa and Chilies take to make?
Total time is about 265 minutes (25 min prep + 240 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 Mole-Inspired Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Cocoa and Chilies?
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 large yellow onion, diced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mole-Inspired Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Cocoa and Chilies?
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 Mole-Inspired Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Cocoa and Chilies for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Mole-Inspired Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Cocoa and Chilies?
Mexican 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.
