Slow-Simmered Beef Chili with Roasted Chipotle and Dark Chocolate

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, smoky chili that combines tender beef with the subtle heat of roasted chipotle peppers and a hint of dark chocolate for depth and complexity. This mexican-inspired beef ready in about 90 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 400 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 75 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 400 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up, until browned and no pink remains.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 4 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for 1 minute to toast the spices.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1 cup beef broth, and 1 can (15 oz) drained black beans. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
  5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally until the chili thickens and flavors meld.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 1 oz finely chopped dark chocolate until melted and incorporated, then adjust seasoning to taste before serving.

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-Simmered Beef Chili with Roasted Chipotle and Dark Chocolate take to make?

Total time is about 90 minutes (15 min prep + 75 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-Simmered Beef Chili with Roasted Chipotle and Dark Chocolate?

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-Simmered Beef Chili with Roasted Chipotle and Dark Chocolate?

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-Simmered Beef Chili with Roasted Chipotle and Dark Chocolate 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 Slow-Simmered Beef Chili with Roasted Chipotle and Dark Chocolate?

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