How To Make A Hearty & Veggie-Packed Chili Using Cocoa Powder

Oh, how I love my crock pot–especially around this time of year. It’s hailed as a favorite kitchen gadget of many, and for good reason.

It’s the ultimate hands-off dinner-maker. Throw your ingredients in and come back in a few hours, and you’ve got a meal–a delicious, hearty and healthy meal at that, if what you’re making happens to be this chili.

As far as what veggies you use, I feel like this recipe is pretty forgiving. Feel like subbing in potatoes for the zucchini? Should work fine. Want to use more carrots and less peppers? Not a problem. As long as the proportions are about the same, you shouldn’t have an issue customizing to your heart’s content.

But even if you’re almost sold on the recipe to follow, you still might be wondering to yourself: what’s with the cocoa powder? And it’s a fair question. The cocoa powder is a nice addition because it adds to the earthiness of the dish, not to mention it complements our other spices–such as chili powder and cayenne–quite nicely. Just make sure you pick up the unsweetened variety if you plan to make this recipe.

Veggie-Packed Cocoa Chili

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 25 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish, Soup

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 5 servings

Equipment

• Crock pot

Ingredients

  

• 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced about 1 heaping cup
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 small or medium zucchini, peeled and chopped
• 1 any color bell pepper, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 15 oz can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 15 oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups plain tomato sauce
• 2 cups vegetable stock I used Better Than Boullion
• 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa or carob powder
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp cayenne powder
• vegan cheese and sour cream for serving

Instructions

 

• Once you have all your veggies and beans prepped (peeling, slicing, rinsing, etc), the process is fairly simple. Basically, throw everything into your crock pot and stir well. Cook in your crock pot on high for 4-5 hours, or until all the veggies are soft to your liking.
• Top with vegan cheese shreds and vegan sour cream to serve. Enjoy!

Keyword chili, cocoa powder, crock pot, hearty, protein, zucchini

What’s your favorite thing to make in your crock pot? I love this vegan chili, but I also looooooove to make vegan chick’n and dumplings–SO. GOOD.

Also, if you like chili, perhaps you’ll enjoy this 3 Ingredient Vegan Chili Mac. It doesn’t involve a crock pot, but it’s just as easy to make (if not easier).

Until next time, peace 🙂