Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Smoky Chipotle and Cocoa

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty slow-cooked beef chili enriched with smoky chipotle peppers and a subtle hint of cocoa for depth and warmth. This mexican-inspired beef ready in about 375 minutes turns ground beef, medium, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves 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 320 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 360 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 lb ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, for 6-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
  3. Step 3: Transfer the beef mixture to a slow cooker. Stir in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1 can (15 oz) drained kidney beans, 2 minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 cup beef broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until flavors are melded and chili is thickened.
  5. Step 5: Stir the chili before serving and adjust seasoning to taste.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Smoky Chipotle and Cocoa take to make?

Total time is about 375 minutes (15 min prep + 360 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Smoky 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Smoky 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Smoky Chipotle and Cocoa 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 Slow-Cooked Beef Chili with Smoky Chipotle and Cocoa?

Mexican 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.

Related recipes