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steak and black bean chili
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.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
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