Lighter Chili With Cocoa Powder

I actually use cracked wheat instead of beef, chop a carrot, add some corn, a green pepper and a jalepeno. My chili is thick and currently the favorite amoung my family of meat eaters. Liquid smoke helps too, of course. :)

courtney on November 28, 2011

Another great secret ingredient for chili is canned pumpkin. I use about a half a cup for a pot of chili. Adds fiber, vitamin A, thickens the broth and adds just a hint of sweetness to balance out the heat if I've gotten carried away with the chipotle chile powder.

Joyce on November 28, 2011

I use ground turkey and turkey sausage. My family loves it! I am going to try the cocoa power with it now!

Goldie Nam on November 28, 2011

that is what the Cincinnati Chili's have as a secret ingredient - cocoa. You can do chili over spaghetti (wheat too) I think of Greek descent.

Cathy on November 28, 2011

This sounds delicious!! The jalapeno sounds tasty too:)

Tami on November 28, 2011

This is a bit scary for someone with a cocoa allergy though, we wouldn't think to ask whether cocoa has been added to chili. I'll have to start asking no matter what it is.

Daisy on November 28, 2011

Great served over a baked potato too!!

Pat on November 28, 2011

My friend Francine's mother made that recipe for me once. I have yet to taste a chili that matches that awesome.

Mitaukano on November 28, 2011

Been putting cocoa powder in my chili for years!

Royn on November 28, 2011

Delicious...hit the spot. I used to buy the envelopes with the seasoning but no more. :)

Christina on November 28, 2011

This sounds great and can not wait to give it a try. The only problem I have is determining WHAT a serving size is? Thanks

Lynn on November 28, 2011

Wow! Sounds great. I shall have to try it with my high school Knowledge Bowl team, we always make chili for our competition days. I think I will try the pumpkin idea too. Thanks for the great ideas everyone!

Joanne on November 28, 2011

YES! I make my chili this way, it's sort of an Ohio thing. It's also amazing to add a little cinnamon! It adds such a deep flavor and is perfect for a nice cold day!

Aubre Rice on November 28, 2011

I always add cinnamon but haven't tried cocoa powder. Sounds good.

Heather on November 28, 2011

Thanks Lisa...yes, was hoping there was another magical way to figure the portion size..LOL...but dividing a 'half' a few times...lots easier than dividing the whole thing...you are brilliant! :)

Lynn on November 29, 2011

Added a lot of eggplant to chili last summer as I planted too many eggplants. I was a big hit here. Been adding cocoa to chili for years and another secret is too make your own chili powder with the dried peppers from your garden and skillet roasted spices.

Mark on November 29, 2011

Cocoa - I would have never thought of adding it to chili but I'm definitely going to try it. If anyone has a recipe for homemade chili powder, please list it because I've been having allergic reactions to something in my chili & I suspect the problem may be the chili powder since the ingredients aren't listed on the containers.

Cynthia Hair on November 29, 2011

We tried your chili last night and it was fabulous! Thank you soo much!

Allie on November 29, 2011

I love to add a touch of cinnamon and salsa to my chili.

Heather on November 29, 2011

I highly recommend Better Than Store Bought by Helen Witty and Elizabeth Schneider Colchie (1979) which is where I get my chili powder recipe or the basis for it as well as many other great items. Here is a sample of what is in the book. http://tinyurl.com/7zuu25k If I get a chance, which isn't like;y, I'll post the recipe. Google chili powder but many do not roast the whole spices and chilies before grinding to bring out that great toasted flavor.

Mark on November 30, 2011

Thanks Mark! I will check out this book asap.

Cynthia Hair on November 30, 2011

I grew up in Northern Kentucky (right across the river from Cincinnati) Chili in that area almost always has chocolate in it :) Yummy :) If you ever go through the area try Skyline chili. Its not the traditional chili most are used to but very good.

Sharon on November 30, 2011

Here's a homemade chili powder recipe

AB's Chili Powder Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2004

3 ancho chiles, stemmed, seeded and sliced

3 cascabel chiles, stemmed, seeded and sliced

3 dried arbol chiles, stemmed, seeded and sliced

2 tablespoons whole cumin seeds

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Place all of the chiles and the cumin into a medium nonstick saute pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, moving the pan around constantly, until you begin to smell the cumin toasting, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Set aside and cool completely.

Once cool, place the chiles and cumin into the carafe of a blender along with the garlic powder, oregano, and paprika. Process until a fine powder is formed. Allow the powder to settle for at least a minute before removing the lid of the carafe. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

sallyjrw on December 8, 2011

sallyjrw,

Thanks, this recipe sounds awesome! I wasn't sure what ingredients were used for it. It sounds very quick & easy. I will never buy store-bought chili powder again.

Cynthia Hair on December 8, 2011

Looks yummy, will have to try it.

Stacey @ Feeding My Tribe on December 10, 2011

Sounds yummy... and as far as the person who's allergic goes, it may be better if you DON'T know! They did a study in Japan where they told a group of people that they were putting something they were allergic to on their arms, and they used something innocuous and they all ended up with hives; they also put an allergen on another group of peoples' arms and told them it was something inert and they DIDN'T have a reaction.

Sue on December 19, 2011

I made this for the family in the middle of the holidays. We were having lots of big, decadent meals and wanted a break with something simple but filling. We served this with cilantro, avocado, low fat sour cream, cheese, and pico de gallo. It was a huge hit. I can't wait to make it again. Thanks for sharing.

Diane on January 7, 2012

I add everything from grated carrots, squash and always chopped frozen spinach. Sometimes I add ground gloves and a splash of vinegar. Every batch is different. The more veggies the better.

Jeanne on January 18, 2012

I actually bought a spice container that was discounted that was a chili cocoa powder base. No idea what to use it for. I just kind of looked at it like umm...this looks cool. I'll buy it and I might use it later on. This recipe might be the thing.

Rebekah on November 12, 2017

I am wondering your nutritupional opinion on meat substitutes, such as frozen "Boca crumbles" for recipes like chili. We have one vegetarian, but the others won't tolerate more than half of the meat substituted for beans. They will eat the meat substitutes though.

Jill on November 12, 2017

I'll try the cocoa powder! Have you tried all vegetables? Include Peppers! onions, garlic, carrots, corn, beans of course, puree & whole tomatoes, no oil, cumin, chili, coriander, oregano, s/plime juice. No meat required for true healthy & hearty bowl of chili for the whole family. For veg. daughter, sprinkle on nut cheese and dollop of soy sour cream/yogurt. I also add a non nutritive nacho chip [Late July restaurant-style].

BarbL on November 12, 2017

Leave out the tomatoes, meat and beans and the sauce that is created is very close to our Mexican family enchilada sauce recipe. And, in fact, Texas enchilada sauce is often red chili. For traditional Mexican sauce, leave out the meat, tomatoes, beans, and add chicken broth, onion, oregano and a little flour and top your enchiladas with the sauce. We don't use meat in the sauce for traditional Mexican enchilada sauce but it is fine for Tex-Mex. One of my secrets has always been cocoa powder. This gives the sauce a nice bottom note. If you make enchiladas, always use corn tortillas for traditional Mexican style. And, Texas chili never has beans and beans are fattening. My doc has corn, rice and beans off my list for losing weight.

IFortuna on November 12, 2017

I have long been a fan of adding cocoa powder to my chili - it was one of those instinctual decisions. Sometimes I also add a pinch of cinnamon. One thing that my family ... half vegetarian, half meat-eaters ... can agree on is soy crumbles. Adding these to chili [with or without beans], lasagna, enchiladas, and so on, and letting the flavors cook into the crumbles, gives a taste and texture just like ground beef. This way, everyone is happy, and I only have to make one dish for everyone.

Sharon Sherrill on November 12, 2017

@ Sharon Sherrill, Are soy crumbles like soy curls? I received my first bag of the curls yesterday fom Amazon and plan to try to mimic BBQ beef. The hardest part of eating without any animal products having been raised on, and living in a heavily touted meat/dairy culture, is finding good substitutions. There are a lot more to choose from in the recent years, and it's fun to experiment.

BarbL on November 13, 2017

Hi Barbi ... I have never heard of soy curls! Sounds awesome though... I will check into those. Crumbles are available in grocery stores in the frozen section with the veggie burgers and other meat replacement products. I know Morningstar Farms and Boca make them, and they come in a bag. Thy basically can replace ground beef... and they do, very well. Good luck with your exploration!

Sharon Sherrill on November 18, 2017

Hi Sharon! Well Friday I tried the soy curls and have to say I was pleasantly surprised, the texture was very close to chicken. I used the recipe below which I will tweak to lessen the ''sweet'' and I added a pinch of poultry seasoning in the marinade. I served it w fresh-ground sesame seeds [and steamed broccoli]. I'm putting Crumbles on my grocery list this week, thank you for the tip! Sounds like it would do great in a bolognese make-over which is so similar to chili :) We're all trying to be meatless around here. Even most of my friends are trying it.

https://helynskitchen.com/2016/01/vegan-sweet-n-sour-orange…

BarbL on November 19, 2017

Hi again Barbi - That orange sweet sour recipe looks delicious. Thanks for sharing! I am ordering the soy curls to check them out, looks like they can be another way to have good-tasting meatless protein in our lives. Happy holidays, by the way!

Sharon on November 26, 2017

Hi Sharon, Happy Holidays to you and Snack Girl and her many followers! It's a great bunch of followers of all the ways to get healthier. This is my 3rd or 4th time trying to go plant-based and with so many resources out there, I'm finding it easier and fun. Every little change has huge health benefits. :)

BarbL on November 27, 2017

My mother-in-law taught me to put a Hershey chocolate bar in my chili and it's wonderful! I can't wait to try your recipe because I know I will definitely enjoy it.

P.S. I'm so glad I found your blog!

Heather B. on November 29, 2017

In Mexican cuisine, one of the most brilliant sauces is Red Mole .... made with dark chocolate in it (plus a kazillion other spices). Will definitely try the cocoa in my chili to see if I can get a little of that Mole flavoring. Thanks in advance for the recipe.

Judy Sensenich on December 3, 2017

How much cocoa do you put in the chilli?I'm making turkey chilli tomorrow and want to try it with the cocoa

Donna veeder on February 19, 2018

For decades I've put a couple of tablespoons of Asian fish sauce in my soups, stews, and chilies. It adds a depth of flavor that is unmatched. It has become the secret ingredient of many top chefs.

jack burton on March 27, 2018

Now that 99% turkey and chicken are zero Smart Points on Weight Watchers, I'm going to use 1 pound of 95% lean ground beef and 1 pound of the 99% ground chicken. I am going to also add a cut up red and green pepper and 1 onion. Points will still be 2 per serving, however after bulking it up, that 1 cup will be more like 1-1/2 to 2!!!

Kristine on June 19, 2018

Cant wait to try this. If i use ground chicken or turkey does it make it 0 smart points?

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Pauline Eberlein on February 28, 2019

Does it make a difference which cocoa you use? Regular or Dutch processed?

Brenda on February 28, 2019

I always put cocoa in my chili and also cinnamon to add to the flavor.

David Covert on March 12, 2019

If you did use 3 cans of beans, how much meat would you use? 2#? Just a curious TX girl!

Robyn on March 12, 2019

I made this exactly as you posted and it was yummy! Will definitely make again, but need to adjust the WW SmartPoints: 80/20 ground beef is 30 SP per pound, which would make 8 servings 4 SP each. But totally worth it!!!

L L Cagle on March 15, 2019

I put a little to much cocoa in how do I balance it out. Thanks

Gail on November 26, 2019

If adding cinnamon-how much would be used?

sue on December 13, 2019

I just eyeball the cinnamon as well as the cocoa powder, depends too how big of a batch you are making, it kinda hard to put too much.

David Covert on December 14, 2019

Wonder if you could use carob powder instead. Taste is similar and it’s healthier.

Margaret Folders on January 21, 2021

I will definitely try this recipe. I usually make my chili with ground turkey, which is a big hit at large gatherings. At home I changed it up & made it vegetarian by omitting the ground turkey and adding 1/4 cup of quinoa. This makes a nice thick chili.

Linda Neff on February 7, 2021

Every chili I've made my husband would say "yeah it's good". But I made this one from the first time you posted it, and he said "this one's great!" I can't tell you how many times I've made it, but now I make double batches and freeze them in quart baggies for him. This came in handy when I was in the hospital, and times when I don't want to cook.

Thank you great recipe!

Sherry Dietrich ★★★★★ on February 7, 2021