This pantry staple takes my chili from good to amazing.

(Can you tell that I love my job?)

It’s an essential upgrade that takes chili to the next level.

Photo of a pot of chili with yellow lined illustrations next to it

Simply Recipes / Photo Illustration by Wanda Abraham / Adobe Stock

Here’s everything you should probably know about adding chocolate to your chili.

What would a mole from Mexico be without cocoa?

That’s why this trick applies to all chili pepper and tomato-based chilis.

Beef chili in a blue Dutch oven.

Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

I typically use unsweetened cocoa powdernatural or Dutch-processsince I always have it stocked in my pantry.

Dark chocolate bars or chips can also be used.

After stirring it in and letting it simmer, taste and add more if you’d like.

Bowl of copycat Wendy’s chili at a table setting with a bowl of saltines on a brown and white kitchen towel, a bottle of tabasco, a drink, and a white table napkin

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Ruth Blackburn / Prop Styling by Hannah Greenwood

Adding it at this point allows it to marry with the other spices without getting burned.

Stir it well to ensure it’s fully melted and evenly distributed throughout.