Spiced Blood Moon Chili with Cocoa and Chipotle
A smoky, rich chili featuring ground beef slow-simmered with chipotle peppers and dark cocoa powder, delivering a deep flavor inspired by the blood moon’s copper-red glow. This mexican-inspired beef ready in about 70 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 350 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 peppers, chopped chipotle peppers in adobo
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 15 oz can, drained and rinsed kidney beans
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef to the pot, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 7-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes until spices are fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 14 oz can of diced tomatoes, 15 oz drained and rinsed kidney beans, and 1 cup beef broth. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chili thickens and flavors meld.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Blood Moon Chili with Cocoa and Chipotle take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (15 min prep + 55 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 Spiced Blood Moon Chili with Cocoa and Chipotle?
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 Spiced Blood Moon Chili with Cocoa and Chipotle?
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 Spiced Blood Moon Chili with Cocoa and Chipotle 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 Spiced Blood Moon Chili with Cocoa and Chipotle?
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.
