Chili with Cocoa and Salsa

Elevate your chili game with this bold and flavorful recipe for Chili with Cocoa and Salsa! This hearty, protein-packed dish combines classic chili ingredients like ground beef or turkey, black beans, and kidney beans with an unexpected twist—rich, unsweetened cocoa powder and a hint of cinnamon for a deep, smoky flavor profile. Fresh salsa is stirred in at the end, adding a vibrant, tangy kick and a bright contrast to the warm spices of chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Perfect for cozy nights or crowd-pleasing dinners, this one-pot wonder is ready in just one hour and is ideal for meal prepping or serving with your favorite toppings. Delicious, aromatic, and easy to make, this chili recipe is a must-try fusion of comforting classics and creative ingredients.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes
• 15 ounces canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 ounces canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.25 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 cup fresh salsa
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef or turkey to the pot and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until it is browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, and broth.

Step 6

Add the tomato paste, cocoa powder, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

Bring the chili to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

Stir in the fresh salsa and cook for an additional 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 10

Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2513.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2556.7

Total Fat 137.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 45.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.3g
Cholesterol 371.1mg	0%
Sodium 6713.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 200.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 69.9g	0%
Total Sugars 31.4g
Protein 138.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 649.9mg	0%
Iron 36.8mg	0%
Potassium 5738.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.8%

Protein: 21.3%

Carbs: 30.8%