The Bold Ingredient Upgrade For Chili With More Depth Of Flavor

Whether you're making a slow cooker chili, a seasonal bowl of pumpkin and turkey chili, or a classic beef version, this cozy dish is the perfect way to warm up on cold nights. And while there are tons of secret ingredients that can help elevate to it — like using liquid smoke to make an award-worthy bowl of chili — there are some bold seasonings that can give your recipe a unique richness and depth. One unexpected addition will catapult your recipe to the top of your local chili cook-off. We're talking about espresso powder.

Similar to how cocoa powder elevates chili, using a touch of espresso in your recipe can add a much-needed complexity to your dish. Its bitterness helps to boost the heat of chili pepper, while cutting some of the fattiness of the protein you use. It also works well with typical chili spices like cumin or cayenne, helping to balance out the flavors with its own bold, rich taste to make your dish shine. So while you may be nervous to give this strong ground coffee a try, we promise that once you add some to your next pot, you'll forever upgrade your chili game.

When adding espresso to chili, make sure that you're using espresso powder, not just your own espresso beans that have been ground up. The reasoning here is that espresso powder is an intense and concentrated version of instant coffee that's made specifically to dissolve into liquids quickly. It's commonly used by bakers to add richness to baked goods like cookies and cakes, and as a flavor enhancer in dry rubs for barbecue and other protein-forward recipes. Ground espresso made of roasted coffee beans is way coarser, which might not feel so nice on your tongue as you eat your chili (or any other dishes).

For your chili recipe, start off with about one tablespoon of espresso powder added to your pot, in the same step where you sprinkle in your other dry spices. Taste the chili and add more as needed. If you want to boost your dish even further, consider matching the coffee up with a touch of cocoa powder, or adding a pinch of cinnamon to help warm up the flavor profile even more.

Once your dish is ready, you can serve it alongside some classic chili favorites, like a freshly-baked piece of cornbread, or a sprinkling of cheddar cheese. You can even opt to experiment with some unique chili toppings, like crumbled bacon or roasted red peppers. The smoky essence of bacon could be a perfect match for the hint of coffee.