Chili Con Carne
By Let's Cook It · December 23, 2025
A hearty, warming bowl of spiced ground beef with beans in a rich tomato sauce. The secret ingredient? A touch of dark chocolate for depth.

- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h
- Total
- 1 h 20 min
- Serves
- 6
- #mexican
- #beef
- #dinner
- #comfort food
- #spicy
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can whole peeled tomatoes
- 2 red bell peppers, diced
- 2 white onions, diced
- 1 chili pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can kidney beans, drained
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 oz dark chocolate
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- Neutral oil
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking for a different number of people? Open this recipe in the app to rescale every ingredient in one tap.
Instructions
- 1
Heat oil in a large pot and add ground beef, breaking into small pieces
- 2
Season with salt to draw out moisture and cook until deeply browned
⏲ 10 min timer — runs automatically in the app
- 3
Remove beef and set aside
- 4
In the same pot, sauté onions, peppers, and chili pepper until translucent
⏲ 8 min timer — runs automatically in the app
- 5
Add garlic, chili flakes, paprika, cumin, and oregano, stirring for 1 minute
⏲ 1 min timer — runs automatically in the app
- 6
Add tomato paste and let it brown slightly
⏲ 2 min timer — runs automatically in the app
- 7
Return the beef to the pot and stir to combine
- 8
Add whole peeled tomatoes and some water, breaking up the tomatoes
- 9
Simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally and adding liquid if needed
⏲ 45 min timer — runs automatically in the app
- 10
Stir in kidney beans and dark chocolate until chocolate melts
⏲ 5 min timer — runs automatically in the app
- 11
Serve over rice and garnish with fresh cilantro
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