FREE PRINTABLE RECIPE
Get the Printable Recipe PDF (Free)
Enter your email and we’ll send you the ingredients + step-by-step instructions as a clean PDF you can save to your phone.
- ✅ Printable PDF (ingredients + steps)
- ✅ Save it to your phone (no long scrolling)
- ✅ Includes cook time + servings
- ✅ Easy to follow
FAQ
Where’s the full recipe?
It’s delivered as a printable PDF so you can save it and cook without scrolling.
I didn’t get the email.
Check Spam/Promotions and search your inbox for your site name. Then click Confirm to receive the PDF.
award winning chili recipe crock pot
- Total Time: 265 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: General
Description
This award-winning crock pot chili features rich, deep flavors simmered all day for an effortless weeknight meal. It combines hearty beef, aromatics, a complex spice blend, and a unique smoky chipotle dark chocolate swirl for ultimate comfort and flavor.
Ingredients
- 900 g (2 lbs) lean ground beef, 90/10
- 30 ml (2 tablespoons) vegetable oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 60 ml (4 tablespoons) chili powder
- 30 ml (2 tablespoons) ground cumin
- 15 ml (1 tablespoon) smoked paprika
- 5 ml (1 teaspoon) dried oregano
- 2.5 ml (0.5 teaspoon) cayenne pepper
- 800 g (28 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 800 g (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, undrained
- 700 ml (2.9 cups) vegetable or beef broth
- 400 g (14.5 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 400 g (14.5 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 15 ml (1 tablespoon) light brown sugar
- 10 ml (2 teaspoons) salt
- 2.5 ml (0.5 teaspoon) black pepper
- 50 g (1.75 oz) dark chocolate
- 2–3 chipotles in adobo
- 15 ml (1 tablespoon) adobo sauce
- 15 ml (1 tablespoon) light brown sugar (for swirl)
- 60 ml (4 tablespoons) hot chili liquid
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- A pinch of cocoa powder, for garnish
Instructions
- Brown The Beef: In a large skillet, heat 30 ml (2 tbsp) oil over medium-high heat. Add 900 g (2 lbs) lean ground beef, breaking it apart until fully browned (about 8-10 minutes). Drain excess fat and transfer the browned beef to a 6-quart (5.7-liter) crock pot.
- Sauté Aromatics And Spices: Return the skillet to medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and cook until softened (about 5-7 minutes). Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne, sautéing for just 1 minute until fragrant.
- Combine In Crock Pot: Transfer the fragrant onion-spice mixture to the crock pot with the beef. Add the diced and crushed tomatoes, broth, rinsed beans, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir all ingredients well to fully combine, ensuring everything is submerged.
- Set And Cook: Cover the crock pot. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chili is rich and flavors are well-blended. Stir occasionally, noting the thickening consistency.
- Prepare Smoky Swirl And Serve: About 30 minutes before serving, combine dark chocolate, chipotles, adobo sauce, and 15 ml (1 tbsp) brown sugar in a small bowl. Ladle in 60 ml (4 tbsp) hot chili liquid from the crock pot and let sit for 2 minutes. Stir vigorously until smooth and glossy. (If chocolate doesn’t melt smoothly, warm the bowl over simmering water.)
- Swirl And Garnish: Pour the dark chocolate swirl over the hot chili in the crock pot. Gently swirl it through a few times, creating visible ribbons without fully incorporating. Serve immediately into deep bowls, garnished with fresh cilantro and a light dusting of cocoa powder.
Notes
For best results, use organic beans and tomatoes. If chili is too dry, add more beef broth. If too bland, boost flavor with extra chili powder or hot sauce. If too soupy, remove the lid for the last hour of cooking or stir in a cornstarch slurry. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx 350 g)
- Calories: 350 calories
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg