Dad’s award winning secret ingredient chili is a hearty chili full of big flavors and a couple unexpected secret ingredients. This one pot chili takes only 15 minutes of active prep time before simmering away on the stove top to create a satisfying bowl of coziness.
My dad was onto something with his award winning secret ingredient chili. When he made this chili when I was a kid, I could never get enough.
Now that I make it for my kids, they can’t get enough. It’s like no other chili recipe you’ve ever tried before thanks to not one but two secret ingredients.
First up on the secret ingredient list: chocolate. That’s right, Chocolate.
You’d never expect it even though chocolate and heat go pretty well together in things like Mexican hot chocolate.
This chili is not nearly that chocolatey.
In fact, without me telling you, you’d never even know that there was chocolate in this recipe.
It blends it to the background and gives the chili an earthiness that makes it feel so hearty.
Now it’s not a lot of chocolate. Just an ounce of semisweet chocolate.
I do recommend you use semisweet chocolate instead of dark chocolate because that sweetness helps balance out the next secret ingredient.
Secret ingredient number two? Coffee grounds.
Yes, not brewed coffee but actual coffee grounds.
Stay with me here. I
know it sounds a little shocking or scary. But trust me. It’s delicious.
The coffee grounds really add richness and depth of flavor.
I promise you if you add the half tablespoon of sugar your chili will not be bitter or coffee-flavored at all. But don’t skip that sugar.
Without it, you could have a bit of a bitter aftertaste cut through the chili.
If you trust me, and follow this recipe, the secret ingredients just work so well with all the other usual chili suspects.
Aside from coffee and chocolate, we’ve got ground beef, diced tomatoes, two kinds of beans, chili seasonings, onion, garlic powder, and a can of lager.
Some chili recipes just call for any old kind of beer, but I prefer the clean, crisp taste of a lager in this chili.
It balances out the mild heat from the spices and the richness from the chocolate and coffee.
And this chili is a milder chili, since I use Bush’s mild chili starter.
However, if you want to add some heat you could certainly add some jalapeno in or go with the Magic Medium chili starter. But the end result may be too spicy for some tastes then.
Making the chili is fairly easy. The active prep time is only 15 minutes and during that prep you are just browning the beef.
Once the beef is cooked and drained, just add the rest of the ingredients to the pot. Then the chili just does it’s thing on the stove and you just need to stir occasionally.
Just trust me, my Dad knew what he was doing when he made this big pot of award winning secret ingredient chili. You’ll know it too as soon as you smell it cooking.
I know the ingredient combination is surprising but it all works to make the most delicious bowl of chili you have ever tasted.
Other Chili Ideas You’ll Want To Try:
- Ground Beef & Bacon Baked Bean Chili
- White Cheddar & Apple Chicken Chili
- Sweet Heat Chili
- Chili Cheese Dog Chili
If you’ve tried DAD’S AWARD WINNING SECRET INGREDIENT CHILI, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!
Dad's Award Winning Secret Ingredient Chili
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 2 28 oz cans diced tomatoes
- 1 15.5 oz can dark red kidney beans
- 1 can MILD Bush's chili starter
- 1 tsp dried chopped onion
- 1 can black beans
- 1 pkg chili seasoning mix
- 1 oz semi sweet chocolate
- 1 tbsp coffee grounds
- 1/2-1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 1 12 oz can (or bottle) larger style beer
- 1 can sweet corn kernels, drained
Instructions
- In a large pot, brown the ground beef, stirring to break it up as it cooks. When cooked through, strain the ground beef to drain excess grease, and return the meat to the pot.
- Add all of the remaining ingredients to the pot, stirring to evenly combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then reduce the heat until the chili's simmering.
- Cook the chili, stirring occasionally, for 3 hours. Add water or beef broth, if necessary if the chili is too thick for your liking. Ladle the chili into bowls, and serve topped with your favorite toppings.
I had to come see what the secret ingredient was and I have to tell you that the coffee grounds surprised me. I am definitely curious to try this now!
You are using real coffee grounds, not instant correct?
Yes, ma’am.
Good Chili, yes. Award winning, not for me. The coffee grounds are too over powering even after the sugar. Lacks seasoning, and zest. Its good though for throwing items into a pot. Thanks
Could I do this in the crockpot?
Yep, just let it cook low and slow. I would still cook the ground beef first and strain the grease before adding everything to the crock.
Hello can you tell me about the onion? Is it supposed to be fresh chopped or dried? You mention both. Also no tomato sauce? Interested in trying this. Thank you
I see the confusion. As noted in the recipe card, I used dried onion in this chili. However, you can use freshly diced onion as long as you saute it with the beef so it gets nice & tender. And I’ve never made a chili that involves tomato sauce- that’s new to me. The tomatoes and the other ingredients combine & break down when cooked low & slow to create their own rich flavorful broth, no extra ingredients necessary! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do 🙂
Thank you!!! I will make it next week and give my thoughts. Thanks again
This chili..wow…was THE BEST I’ve ever made! Loved it! Thank you for sharing your Dad’s special recipe…
Your father was a wise man. I’ve been using chocolate and coffee in my chili for 20+ years.
As you mention, the key is to not use too much of either. Just enough to bring out the savory notes without disclosing the actual ingredients. Like French cooking. Too much chocolate and you’ve got mole. Too much coffee and you’ve gotten mocha.
My hint, add the chocolate, coffee and sugar during the 3 hour simmer so you have more control. Taste test often….and get a second opinion during the cook time.
FWIW, my Chile Rojo is always the best dish at our Mexican themed gatherings.
Oh yeah, a dash of cinnamon and a smaller dash of clove. Enjoy!
How many will this feed?
Should feed about 8, depending on bowl size.
I cannot find the chili starter. I see the spot for it on the shelf, but everyone is out. Is there something I can substitute for this?
You can sub chili seasoned beans, and you may need to adjust the other seasonings to taste. Chili is pretty adaptable!
Can I use taco seasoning for chili seasoning? I can’t find chili seasoning and I’m a little confused.
We find it in the little seasoning packet section, usually somewhere around the spice and gravy aisle. If you can’t find it, you can find a recipe online for whipping up a homemade version.
This is the first time i made Chilly, and something tasted like i missed something, like salt? Idk😭😭 Need your help asap!!!
You can add salt or seasoned salt to it. Just make sure to taste it as you go so you don’t oversalt it.