Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

spicy chocolate chili (my version of cincy chili)

(6 ratings)
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Kim Biegacki
Youngstown, OH

My husband, Anthony & I were getting our 2011 taxes done and one of the tax consultants was leaving with a crock pot of chili. I told him that is smelled delicious and then he offered us a bowl. Well, I was taken aback by the taste of this sweet and spicy chili and was trying to figure out what was in it. My first 2 guesses were honey & maple syrup and my third was chocolate and he said yes to the chocolate. He said that he loves making all different kinds of chili and told me the main ingredients. So, my husband and I had a chili cook-off & this is my rendition of a spicy chocolate chili.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

The sweet spicy flavor of this chili comes through in this one.  Chili lovers are sure to love this one! For all of the tomatoes and beans in the recipe, we used 15 oz. cans.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(6 ratings)
yield 8 - 10 people
prep time 30 Min
cook time 2 Hr 30 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For spicy chocolate chili (my version of cincy chili)

  • COOK FIRST
  • 1 lb
    lean ground beef
  • 1 lb
    tri-tip, coarsely ground
  • 1 lg
    onion, diced
  • 2 lg
    green bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 md
    green finger hot chile peppers, diced
  • TOMATOES, BEANS, AND PEPPERS
  • 6 c
    spicy hot v8
  • 2 can
    petite cut, diced tomatoes (14.5 oz. can)
  • 2 can
    light red kidney beans, drain (15.5 or 16 oz. cans)ed and rinsed
  • 2 can
    great northern beans, drained (15 or 15.5 oz. cans)d and rinsed
  • 4 sm
    cans, diced green chiles fire roasted
  • 1 c
    sliced jalapeño peppers, chopped
  • 16 oz
    roasted red peppers, diced (mezzetta's)
  • 2
    squares of bakers semi-sweet chocolate
  • 1
    lindt chocolate chili bar
  • SPICES & SAUCES
  • 1 Tbsp
    worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Tbsp
    chipotle sauce
  • 2 Tbsp
    red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp
    garlic powder
  • 1 1 1/2 Tbsp
    (penzey's) chili 9000
  • 2 tsp
    (penzey's) ancho chili pepper, ground
  • 1 tsp
    onion salt
  • 2 Tbsp
    (penzey's) chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp
    cumin
  • 1 Tbsp
    (penzey's) korintje cinnamon
  • 1 tsp
    black pepper
  • 2 tsp
    sea salt
  • 1 Tbsp
    brown sugar, dark (opt)
  • 1 c
    water or more if needed
  • GARNISHES
  • 4 md
    green onions, chopped
  • 1 c
    sour cream (if you need to tone down the heat)

How To Make spicy chocolate chili (my version of cincy chili)

  • 1
    Gather all your ingredients first and get them ready.
  • 2
    Cook up your peppers & onions in a pan with a little butter or oil. In another pan cook up your coarsely ground tri-tip and ground beef together. Drain off the meat.
  • 3
    Now, over medium heat begin adding tomatoes, beans and peppers. (Add cans of pimentos at the end of cooking time and the Lindt Spicy Chocolate bar.) Once that is all stirred together begin adding you spices and sauces. Once all ingredients are added lower heat to a simmer for 3 1/2 hours to 4 hours before serving. It can cook longer if you like. The longer it cooks the better it tastes and the smell is intoxicating!!! I don't know what I like more the smell of spices, scent of cinnamon or aroma of chocolate. Add the 2 squares of chocolate about 1/2 to 45 minutes before done.
  • 4
    Prepare your garnishes for the bowls of chili and enjoy your spicy/sweet chocolate chili.
  • 5
    My husband finally added his Chili recipe and here is the link for it. https://www.justapinch.com/recipe/anthony-biegacki/meat-lovers-chili/chicken?k=meat+lovers+chili&fc%5B0%5D=0&p=1&o=r
  • 6
    Posted here is link for the World Food Championships. https://www.justapinch.com/contest/world-food-championships-2013
  • 7
    April 30th, 2015 --- I took my Spicy Chocolate Chili and made a delicious version of Cincinnati Chili 7-Way which is Chili, Pasta, Cheese, Onion, Beans, Tomato & Pepper. Of course, my chili already has the beans, tomato and pepper in it. I LOVED the diced onions on top...really good.
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