Mole Chili Con Carne with Kahlua
This deliciously rich chili is loaded with flavor. Mole Chili Con Carne is made with tender boneless chuck roast in a chipotle pepper and dark chocolate sauce, with the robust coffee flavor of Kahlúa liqueur that helps to pack a serious chili punch. Best chili I have ever made, hands down.
This post was sponsored by Kahlúa to help promote their Summer Shake Up campaign. I was compensated for the content here, but all opinions are my own.
I have a big family. I mean - not the Duggar family monstrous by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm the oldest of 5. When 5 kids grow up and have significant others you end up with 10 people in your house before you even invite your mom.
And the 5 of us, we get along really well, so we actually like to make up reasons to get together.
Because 12+ birthday parties a year plus holidays doesn't cover enough bases, I guess?
This year we have been finding the most fun excuses to get together. We've been planning parties around movies we loved as kids with Jurassic Park topping the list. There is an 80's party happening soon while we watch The Wedding Singer - full 80's attire is required for attendance.
It's THE MOST fun to have everyone over, and even more fun to re-watch things we must have viewed a zillion times when we were younger. I enjoy the menu-planning, but let's be real.
This is not Thanksgiving, so I look for what will be simple, delicious, and cost effective for a crowd.
This Mole Chili Con Carne with Kahlúa is IT.
A fun dish with loads of flavor. It looks fancy and festive, but is really simple to pull together. And the toppings! Oh the topping possibilities are endless.
Are you familiar with Mole Sauce? It's pretty easy to find prepared mole in the stores here. Basically it's chili seasoned dark chocolate sauce- traditionally flavored with ancho chiles. I opted for chipotle chiles in adobo sauce because I think they are pretty easy to find in nearly any store, and I used really good quality dark chocolate.
I think this is the best chili I ever made. I'm not even joking.
The Kahlúa I stirred in at the end adds just that much more flavor. The coffee notes in the rum play really well with the tender beef and the chocolate.
A meal fit for a crowd!
It will no doubt impress.
Mole Chili Con Carne with Kahlua
Mole Chili Con Carne is loaded with tender chuck roast simmered in a chipotle pepper and chocolate sauce with the rich coffee flavors of Kahlúa. This is hands down the best chili I have EVER made. Takes a little time, but it's totally worth it.
Ingredients
- 2 slices bacon
- 3 pounds boneless chuck roast, fat trimmed and cut into 1 ½" pieces
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ⅓ cup green bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 (15 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2-4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped (2 for mild, 4 for hot)
- 2 ounces good quality dark chocolate
- 3 ½ cups beef broth
- ½ cup Kahlúa coffee liqueur
Optional Garnishes:
- black beans
- rice
- queso fresco
- chopped green onions
- chopped cilantro
- tortilla strips
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a large deep skillt or dutch oven. Remove to a paper towel to drain and remove all but about 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease.
- Add the chuck roast and brown it on all sides. Use a slotted spoon to place the beef in a large bowl and set it aside. If you have liquid in your pan, drain it all except for about 2 tablespoons.
- Add the onions and cook over medium heat until they are caramel-colored and smell sweet. Then add the garlic and green pepper. Cook for about a minute, stirring occasionally.
- Add the tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, and cinnamon. Stir. Then stir in the chipotle peppers. Toss in the chocolate and stir until it melts.
- Pour in the beef broth and add the browned beef back to the pan. Bring everything to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally for about 30 minutes, or until the meat is very tender.
- Stir in the Kahlúa. Remove from the heat.
- Serve each bowl of chili with your favorite optional garnishes.
Recommended Products
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Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 7-¼-Quart Round French (Dutch) Oven, White
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 552Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 937mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 2gSugar: 12gProtein: 45g
I love serving sangria at my parties! Try something new with Kahlúa Sangria:
- 2 parts Kahlúa
- 2 parts red sangria
To serve: fill a wine glass with ice and pour the drink over it. Garnish with an orange.
Check out Kahlúa’s social media pages for fun entertaining and cocktailing inspiration and be sure to share all the ways you’re shaking up summer with the hashtag #KahluaSummer.
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Mahhhh gooodness, this looks so hearty and moist!!! I must make this soon, or something like it. I'm all getting hungry here...haha.
Hungry is the idea! With good foods to fill you up! This chili is my favorite -- sooooo good.
We love mole and this looks awesome! I can't wait to make it! Pinned and on the list of dinners to make as soon as possible!
Thanks Maegan! You won't be disappointed!!!
Oh my gosh! I just saw this on Pinterest and had to come over and drool some more!! I love everything about this recipe - all I can say is yum!! As a mom with five kiddos, I can only hope that my children have such adoration towards each other as adults - they don't always have it as kids!!! LOL 🙂
Thanks so much Jamie!!! I swear this chili is everything I've built it up to be and more. Fingers crossed for your kiddos -- my brothers and sisters are the BEST friends I have. You can't beat it (but we were totally mean to each other as kids. Ha!)
This looks awesome! I've never tried making mole since it seemed complicated. I totally believe you when you say Kahlua adds that extra something special to this sauce. Yum!
I bet growing up in a big family never had a dull moment either!
Thanks so much Laura! And no -- never a dull moment!
Love the idea of themed get-togethers! I saw your photos of the 80s one and it looked so fun!
This recipe looks like it would be a great meal to make for the family.
Haha thanks Michelle! The movie nights in full costume are kind of amazing.
I was just thinking recently about trying to make chicken mole except I don't actually know how to make mole sauce. This recipe is awesome. Thanks for doing the hard work, and now I can just make your chili instead 😉 Brilliant use of Kahlua, Heather!
Thanks Andi!!! The base for this chili is totally a traditional mole sauce recipe, except I used chipotle peppers instead of ancho chiles. I cannot stress enough how much you need this chili and all things mole.
What a smart idea you have for putting Kahlua into your chili. Love mole too so thanks so much!
Haha. I just put Kahlua in everything, Ginny. It usually works out. Thanks!!!
Mmmm chocolate in my dinner. Yes please!! Love the idea of the kahlua sangria too!
Oooh, this sounds amazing! I can't wait to try this-I'm certain it will go in my regular rotation! Pinned.
Wow! I would've never thought to use Kahula in chili. Yours looks fantastic!
Oooh, I can't tell you how amazing this sounds to me! I LOVE mole and I can just imagine how yummy this is with the Kahlua! Such a great idea! Pinning right now!
A little bit of a kick to chill con carne, that is absolutely delicious 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru