Steak and Black Bean Chili – The Bold, Hearty Chili That Beats Every Recipe You’ve Ever Tried

This isn’t your average chili. This is steak and black bean chili tender, seared steak cubes + creamy black beans swimming in a smoky, coffee-infused, dark-chocolate-kissed chili so rich and complex people will beg for the recipe. Perfect balance of Texas steak chili and Southwestern black bean goodness.

Why This Chili Is Pure Addiction

• Steak chunks → insanely beefy flavor
• Black beans → creamy texture + extra protein
• Coffee + dark chocolate → deep, restaurant-level complexity
• One pot, 2½ hours (or crockpot option)
• Naturally gluten-free & meal-prep gold
• Gets better every day (day 3 is dangerous)

Ingredients (Serves 8–10 huge bowls)

The Steak

• 3–3½ lbs chuck roast, sirloin tips, or tri-tip – cut into ¾-inch cubes
• 2 tbsp oil

The Base

• 1 huge onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (15 oz) cans black beans, drained & rinsed
• 2 (15 oz) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
• 3 cups beef broth
• ½ cup strong brewed coffee (secret ingredient #1)
• 1 oz dark chocolate or 1 tbsp cocoa powder (secret #2)

Spice Blend

• 3 tbsp ancho chili powder (or regular)
• 2 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp chipotle powder or cayenne
• 2 tsp Mexican oregano
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• Salt & black pepper

Finishers

• Juice of 1 lime
• Fresh cilantro

Toppings Bar

• Avocado, sour cream, cheddar, red onion, tortilla chips

Step-by-Step Instructions – Stovetop (2½ hrs)

1. Sear steak cubes in batches → remove.
2. Sauté onion + bell pepper → 8 min → add garlic → 60 sec.
3. Add tomato paste + all spices → cook 2 min.
4. Return steak → add tomatoes, black beans, broth, coffee, chocolate → bring to boil → reduce to low simmer.
5. Simmer uncovered 2–2½ hours → stir occasionally → steak becomes fork-tender.
6. Stir in lime juice + cilantro → taste → adjust salt/heat.
7. Serve loaded.

Crockpot Version
After step 3 → dump everything in crockpot → LOW 8 hrs or HIGH 5 hrs.

Pro Tips for Legendary Chili

• Sear hard → deep flavor
• Coffee + dark chocolate = the “pro” taste
• Don’t skip the lime at the end → brightens everything
• Make 24 hrs ahead → flavor explodes
• Freeze up to 4 months

Nutrition (per bowl)

Isla Marie

Steak and Black Bean Chili

Tender seared steak cubes and creamy black beans in a smoky, coffee-and-dark-chocolate-infused chili that’s deeper and more complex than any chili you’ve ever tasted.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Servings: 10 huge bowls

Course: Chili, Freezer Meal, Main Course, Potluck, Winter Dinner

Cuisine: Southwestern, Tex-Mex Inspired

Calories: 460

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Steak

• 3 –3½ lbs chuck roast or tri-tip cut into ¾-inch cubes
• 2 tbsp oil

Veggies & Beans

• 1 huge onion diced
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 5 cloves garlic minced
• 2 15 oz cans black beans, drained & rinsed

Liquids & Flavor Bombs

• 2 15 oz cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 6 oz can tomato paste
• 3 cups beef broth
• ½ cup strong brewed coffee
• 1 oz dark chocolate OR 1 tbsp cocoa powder

Spice Blend

• 3 tbsp ancho or regular chili powder
• 2 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp chipotle powder or cayenne
• 2 tsp Mexican oregano
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp salt + more to finish
• Black pepper

Finish

• Juice of 1 lime
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Toppings

• Avocado sour cream, cheddar, red onion, tortilla chips

Equipment

• Heavy Dutch oven or large pot
• Wooden spoon
• Crockpot (optional)

Method

 

1. Stovetop
2. Sear steak cubes hard in batches → remove.
3. Sauté onion + bell pepper 8 min → add garlic 60 sec.
4. Add tomato paste + all spices → cook 2 min.
5. Return steak → add tomatoes, beans, broth, coffee, chocolate → boil → low simmer uncovered 2–2½ hrs until steak is buttery.
6. Stir in lime juice + cilantro → taste & adjust salt/heat.
7. Serve loaded.
8. Crockpot Version
9. After step 3 → dump everything into crockpot → LOW 8 hrs or HIGH 5 hrs → finish with lime & cilantro.

Notes

Coffee + dark chocolate = the “what is that?!” depth

Lime at the end brightens everything

Make 24 hrs ahead → flavor goes nuclear

Freezes perfectly up to 4 months

Naturally gluten-free