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Delicious One-Pot Black Bean Chili in a rustic bowl, garnished with fresh cilantro and creamy avocado slices.

One-Pot Black Bean Chili: Your New Go-To Recipe

Savor this rich, fuss-free One-Pot Black Bean Chili. Featuring ground beef, hearty black beans, and a unique dark chocolate and coffee twist, it's a budget-friendly, deeply satisfying meal for weeknights and meal prep.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 lb. ground beef
  • 3 15oz. cans black beans drained
  • 1 10oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles For milder chili, use plain diced tomatoes.
  • 1 6oz. can tomato paste
  • 1 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 cups water or beef broth for extra richness
  • 1-2 squares dark chocolate (70% or higher cocoa) or 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup brewed coffee or 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder

Equipment

  • Large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven

Method
 

Prep the Aromatics
  1. First, dice the yellow onion and mince the garlic cloves. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or a Dutch oven, add the olive oil. Once shimmering, add the diced yellow onion and minced garlic. Sauté them over medium heat, stirring occasionally, just until the onions are softened and fragrant, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
Brown the Meat
  1. Next, add the ground beef to the pot with the softened aromatics. Break up the beef with a spoon and continue to sauté over medium heat until the ground beef is completely cooked through and browned, typically 5-7 minutes. Ensure there's no pink remaining.
Build the Flavor Base
  1. Now, stir in the drained black beans, the diced tomatoes (along with their juices), the rich tomato paste, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, and the water (or beef broth). Give everything a good stir to ensure all the ingredients are well combined and coated in the spices.
Simmer to Perfection with the Secret Twist
  1. Stir in the unique twist ingredients: 1-2 squares of dark chocolate (70% or higher cocoa) or 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder, and a splash (1/4 cup) of brewed coffee or 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder. Place a lid on the pot and allow the chili to come to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow all those incredible flavors to meld and thicken slightly.
Taste and Serve
  1. Finally, remove the lid and give your chili a taste. Adjust the salt as needed – the exact amount will depend on the salt content of your canned goods. Serve your perfectly seasoned One-Pot Black Bean Chili hot with your favorite toppings and enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 12gSugar: 8g

Notes

Chili tastes best made ahead, as flavors deepen overnight. Remember to taste and adjust salt at the end. For a thicker consistency, mash some black beans or use a cornstarch slurry. Store in fridge for 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

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