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Slow Cooker Choco Chili

paleo chili in crock pot

This is stupid easy, makes a ton, and is flexible – so you can tweak this according to your tastes . . . want to crank up the heat? Add cayenne pepper. Want to lighten it up a bit? Use ground turkey, or a combo of ground beef & turkey. Have veg you want to use up? Chop it up and throw it in. Love beans? They’d be great in here too. Whatever you do, make this soon – it’s tasty & quick & feeds a crowd.

Slow Cooker Choco Chili
Author: 
Serves: 6-8
 
Ingredients
  • coconut oil spray
  • 1 14.5-oz. container of Trader Joe’s Mirepoix mix (onion, carrot & celery)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 4 teaspoons)
  • 2 lbs. ground beef (preferably grass fed)
  • 1 t. dried oregano leaves
  • 2 T. chili powder
  • 2 T. ground cumin
  • 1½ T. unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder
  • 1 t. ground allspice
  • 1 t. Kosher salt
  • 1 jar (6-7 oz.) tomato paste
  • 1 box (26 oz.) chopped tomatoes
  • 3 c. low-sodium chicken or beef broth
  • optional – 1 (10 oz.) bag of cleaned, chopped kale (I like the Trader Joe’s Tuscan kale)
Instructions
  1. Spray a large skillet with coconut oil spray and set it to heat over medium heat. Add the mirepoix mix and the ground beef. Gently break up the ground beef and cook the mixture until the beef is no longer pink and the vegetables are softened.
  2. Put the mixture into a colander and run warm water over it to remove the fat from the beef. Add this mixture to the slow cooker.
  3. Add all the other ingredients except for the kale into the slow cooker and stir. Set to cook on low for 5-6 hours. If you are using kale (or other hearty greens, anything will do, really), add those about 45 minutes before you’re going to serve the chili.
  4. Serve with toppings, if desired: diced avocado, grated cheese, sour cream/Greek yogurt, Tabasco sauce, etc. etc.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 225 Fat: 6 Carbohydrates: 16 Sodium: 300 Fiber: 3 Protein: 27

 

© 2014, Sarah. All rights reserved.

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  • Erica Zamsky Hunt

    This looks mighty tasty and I would never have thought to add all the extra stuff…may have to make this for my lunches this week!

    • http://www.semisweetonline.com/ Semi-Sweet Sarah

      I throw in all that “extra stuff” when I can, Erica – extra veg is never a bad thing in my book – this could take whatever you have on hand, really. Thanks for stopping by!

  • http://justjeanae.com/ Jeanae

    I feel so inspired that I am whipping out the crock pot tonight! Oh, dear…this looks like it will be the biggest hit this week! We will tweak it for allergies, but who can resist a piping hot bowl of chili? YUM

    • http://www.semisweetonline.com/ Semi-Sweet Sarah

      Did you try it, Jeanae? What you guys think? Thanks for reading!

  • Joelyn Morgan

    I am totally going to be trying this! Thanks!

    • http://www.semisweetonline.com/ Semi-Sweet Sarah

      Let me know how you like it, Joelyn!

  • Dee

    Great way to add greens. Sounds yummy!

    • http://www.semisweetonline.com/ Semi-Sweet Sarah

      I add greens wherever I can, Dee – if you buy pre-cut/cleaned greens, it takes 2 seconds and adds loads of fiber and nutrition. Thanks for stopping by!

  • Sarah Scott

    I’m not a huge fan of chilli, but hubby is, so maybe I will make a batch up for him for his dinners. I wont mention the cocoa and will see if he notices it ;)

    • http://www.semisweetonline.com/ Semi-Sweet Sarah

      It’s so great left over, Sarah – a wonderful thing to have in the fridge for him to eat off of for days . . . the cocoa is not at all pronounced – just adds a very nice depth of flavor to the chili. Let me know how he likes it if you end up making it!

  • Pamdemonium2

    that looks delish!!!

    • http://www.semisweetonline.com/ Semi-Sweet Sarah

      Thanks! Let me know if you give it a try.

  • Andrea @LifeWithBeans

    I will try this with turkey rather than beef. I will also cut up my own onion, carrot & celery. I didn’t even know you could buy that mix pre-cut, lol! Thanks for sharing.

    • http://www.semisweetonline.com/ Semi-Sweet Sarah

      I think it’ll be great with turkey, Andrea – and chop away! I came across the Mirepoix mix at TJ’s and couldn’t resist the convenience . . . but I might or might not have several pounds of carrots in my fridge, waiting to be used! Got any carrot recipes you want to share? ;)

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