Spiced Blood Moon Chili with Cocoa and Chipotle

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

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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 55 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chili thickens and flavors meld.

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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.

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