It adds richness, deeper flavor, and umami. In vegetarian or vegan recipes where there is no meat, unsweetened chocolate can be an especially important way to add that depth. The chocolate makes the ground chiles and other spices perk up and taste more like themselves.
Helpful Notes on Ingredients:
Using only the most natural, flavorful, and flexible ingredients, this chili recipe with cocoa powder is a cinch to put together. Below are a few helpful notes on each ingredient:
- Chocolate: I use unsweetened baking chocolate in this recipe, but many types of chocolate would work. You can also use 93% dark chocolate or authentic Mexican dark chocolate (affiliate link) if you can get your hands on it.
- Cocoa powder: I recommend unsweetened cocoa powder for this recipe. Sweetened cocoa powder will make your chili too sweet and interfere with its complex, rich flavor.
- Ground meat: Though I use ground turkey in this dish, any meat will do, including ground beef, ground chicken, or even ground pork. You can even use stew meat. For a vegetarian option, you can even use cremini or baby Bella mushrooms to preserve the chili’s meaty taste.
- The liquid: I used homemade chicken stock but if you use ground beef or stew meat, you can use beef broth instead.
- Beans: For this dish, I use a combination of (15 ounce) canned black beans and red kidney beans. However, you can use whichever beans you like, from pinto beans to Great Northern beans and beyond. Just be sure to rinse and dry your beans before using them.
- Pepper: I use jalapeno peppers in this recipe, but you can also opt for a serrano pepper or bell pepper to adjust the dish’s spice and flavor profile. If you want a spicy chocolate chili, you can also choose to leave the peppers’ seeds in.
- Chili powder: If you are a fan of smoky flavors, use chipotle chili powder instead.
- Cilantro: Not a fan of cilantro? Not a problem! Cilantro is an optional addition to this recipe, so it can be omitted or substituted for chives or parsley.
- Maple Syrup & Sweet Potatoes: Most chocolate chili recipes use a small amount of brown sugar to offset the bitter taste of cocoa powder and chocolate. In my version, I wanted to make it heartier by using sweet potatoes and a drizzle of maple syrup at the end.
Why Put Chocolate To Chili?
If you’re wondering “Why chocolate in chili?” you’re not alone. Though adding chocolate to chili may seem like an odd choice, it’s actually a tasty way to add balance, depth, and complexity to your chocolate chili without making it sweet.
Adding a small amount of unsweetened cocoa powder and dark chocolate help offset the acidity of the tomatoes and peppers and enhances the chili’s overall flavor profile by giving it rich, earthy tones. This is also why some people think of chocolate as “the secret ingredient” in the best chili recipes.
Texas-Style Chocolate Stout Chili | Food Network
FAQ
When should I add chocolate to my chili?
What does cocoa do to chili?
Why does chilli and chocolate work?
Where did chocolate in chili come from?
Why do you add chocolate to chili?
The chocolate also helps balance out the heat from the chili spices and gives the chili a subtle sweetness that complements the savory and spicy flavors. It also thickens the chili and gives it a smoother texture. Overall, adding chocolate to chili is a delicious and unique way to elevate the flavor of the dish.
What is the best substitute for chili powder?
Chili powders are usually a combination of garlic, salt, ground chilies, and cumin. For those who cannot eat chili peppers or need a substitute for a recipe, a homemade spice blend is a good option. For example, garlic powder, salt, black pepper for the spicy kick, and cumin. Some people cannot consume peppers because of a nightshade allergy. Making spice blends at home can help minimize the possible cross contamination and give the individual more control over the flavor of their blend.
Can you put chocolate in chili?
But you won’t be melting American chocolate bars into your chili to get a good flavor. Basically, dark or semi-sweet chocolate can be used to balance out the flavors of the chili, especially if you are using tomatoes. The richness of the chocolate can help cancel out the acidity of the tomatoes or peppers that you might be using.
What does unsweetened chocolate do for chili?
The practice of mixing chocolate and chile dates back to the Aztecs. Head north to Cincinnati and we find that recipes for their iconic chili include a little cocoa powder or grated unsweetened baking chocolate, and some cinnamon, too. So what does unsweetened chocolate do for a pot of chili? It adds richness, deeper flavor, and umami.