• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
G-Free Foodie logo
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Baked Goods
    • Beverages
    • Dairy Free
    • Desserts
    • Kid Zone
    • Main Dishes
    • Paleo Friendly
    • Quick & Easy
    • Recipes & Techniques by Cooks We Love
    • Salads & Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Vegan
  • Articles
    • Dining Tips
    • G-Free Foodie Guides
    • G-Free Foodie Mommies
    • G-Free Foodie Product Reviews
    • Gluten Free Advice + Experts
    • KC's Blog
  • About
  • Shop
  • Help!
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Browse Recipes
  • Articles
  • About
  • Shop
  • Help!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home / Recipes

    Nigella's Homemade Chili Recipe with a Secret Ingredient

    Leave a Comment

    Nigella's Homemade Chili Recipe with a Secret Ingredient

    Nigella Lawson's Homemade Chili Recipe is Next-Level Delicious!

    Main DishesRecipes & Techniques by Cooks We LoveSoupsThis Is SO GOOD.Tips & Tricks

    Share

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Do you find yourself yawning at the thought of another bland bowl of chili? Fear not, my gluten-free friends! Nigella Lawson's homemade chili recipe is here to spice up your life, quite literally. As a lover of all things delicious, I'm excited to share this recipe that'll make your taste buds tingle.

    a bowl of homemade chili

    Be prepared to impress your taste buds and any dinner guests who are lucky enough to get a taste this delicious homemade chili recipe!

    a bowl of homemade chili

    Fresh is Best: Why Using Some Fresh Ingredients is Key to Making Delicious Chili

    Here's a shocker, folks: using fresh ingredients in your cooking makes your food taste better. Who would've thought? Oh right, pretty much everyone. Fresh ingredients provide more nutritional value and better taste. So skip the canned red chiles that have been sitting in your pantry since the '90s, and opt for fresh garlic, onion, and red chiles instead.

    two bowls of homemade chili surrounded by bowls of chili toppings

    The best way to make sure you add that punch of freshness is with the toppings. Add a bunch of fresh onions, avocado, jalapeños, cilantro, & more!

    You can also top the chili off with gluten-free Fritos to add a delectable crunch! Wait, Fritos are gluten-free? Yes, Fritos are gluten-free! However, not all varieties are guaranteed to be free of gluten, and there is a chance of cross-contamination, so it's vital to read the label.

    Chili for Dummies: Nigella's Recipe is Simple and Straightforward

    Nigella's homemade chili recipe isn't rocket science, which is good news for those of us who aren't culinary geniuses. Just sauté some garlic and onion, brown some chorizo sausages & boneless beef shank, and throw in the rest of the ingredients. Then, sit back and let it simmer for a few hours.

    two bowls of homemade chili surrounded by bowls of chili toppings

    The Surprising Ingredient in Nigella's Chili Recipe

    Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for: the secret ingredient. Drumroll please...it's bittersweet chocolate chips! Yep, you heard that right. Chocolate chips in chili. It might sound crazy, but trust me on this one. The chocolate chips add a depth of flavor and a velvety texture that'll make you wonder how you ever lived without it.

    How to Customize Nigella's Chili Recipe to Your Liking

    As I say before changing any recipe, TRY IT! There is not one thing I'd change about this homemade chili recipe because it is just that good, but if you do want to change it up a bit please do not change any of the spices or the chocolate chips. That's where the magic happens!

    The beauty of chili is that it's a customizable dish. Don't like boneless beef shank? Use ground turkey instead. Want a vegetarian option? Remove the meat & add more beans. Topping options are endless, but I suggest you steer clear of the neon orange cheese that comes in a can.

    two bowls of homemade chili surrounded by bowls of chili toppings

    If You Enjoyed This Homemade Chili Recipe, Check These Out:

    gluten free white chicken chili with bacon in bowls

    White Chicken Chili with Bacon | Stove, Slow Cooker or Instant Pot

    This creamy, delicious White Chicken Chili with Bacon is easy to pull together and can be made on the stove top, slow cooker or InstantPot.

    rich pumpkin chili recipe

    Rich Pumpkin Chili Recipe

    A hearty dinner perfect for a chilly fall or winter night, this pumpkin chili recipe from Tina of Just Putzing Around the Kitchen is packed with enough flavor to have you going back for thirds.

    Chickpea and White Bean Chili

    Chickpea and White Bean Chili

    Chickpea and white Bean Chili is one of my new favorites it's packed full of peppers and onions, layered with tons of spices like cumin and oregano, and filled to the brim with homemade veggie stock, chickpeas, and 2 types of white beans.

    Nigella Lawson's homemade chili recipe with a secret ingredient is a game-changer. It's simple to make, customizable, and packed with flavor. And let's not forget the health benefits of the bittersweet chocolate chips (because who doesn't love feeling virtuous while eating chili?)

    The recipe is featured in Nigella's cookbook: Nigella Christmas: Food Family Friends Festivities, which is one of our favorites!

    a bowl of homemade chili

    Nigella's Homemade Chili Recipe

    Nigella Lawson
    Be prepared to impress your taste buds and any dinner guests who are lucky enough to get a taste this delicious homemade chili recipe!
    4.86 from 21 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 3 hours hrs
    Course Main Course, Side Dish, Soup
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 453 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 10 (or 5 linked pairs) chorizo sausages (not the salami sort), approximately 1 ¼ pounds.
    • 3 ¼ pound boneless beef shank cut into ¾-inch cubes
    • 3 onions (about 1 pound), peeled
    • 3 cloves garlic peeled
    • 1 fresh long red chile seeded
    • ¼ cup vegetable oil
    • Seeds from 3 cardamom pods
    • 2 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
    • ¼ cup tomato paste
    • ¼ cup tomato ketchup
    • 4 cans red kidney beans (15 ounces each), drained
    • 3 cans diced tomatoes (14 ounces each)
    • ¼ cup bittersweet chocolate chips
    • 1 cup water (swished out in one of the diced tomato cans)

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 300° F.
    • Finely chop, or process the onion, garlic and chile.
    • Heat the oil in a large ovenproof pan (with a lid) or cast-iron or enameled Dutch oven and fry the onion, garlic and chile until soft, on low for about 10 minutes, then add the cardamom sees, cumin, coriander, cinnamon and red pepper flakes.
    • Stir the oniony spiced mixture together and then add the chorizo, sliced into ¼-in. coins, letting them ooze their paprika-orange oil.
    • Drop in the cubes of beef, turning them in the pan with the chorizo and onion mix, to brown the meat.
    • Stir in the tomato paste, ketchup, drained kidney beans and diced tomatoes. Add the water and bring the chili to a boil.
    • Once it's started bubbling, sprinkle the chocolate chips over the chili and give it a good stir. Put on the lid and transfer to the oven.
    • Cook at this low heat for 3 hours. Once cooked it is best left overnight to improve the flavor.

    Notes

    Buying Meat:
    If you're not buying your meat from a butcher, you can use regular stew meat from the supermarket, but you'll need to cube it smaller and it is unlikely to get quite as tender as shin. I often buy shank.
    Make Ahead Tip:
    Cook the chili in the oven for 2 ½ hours only. Cool, cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to use, tip the chili into a pan and bring slowly to the boil on the stove top, stirring occasionally. Cover tightly and return to the oven for 1 hour until piping hot.
    Freeze Ahead Tip:
    Cook the chili for 2 ½ hours only. Cool and freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat as above.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 453kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 36gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 112mgSodium: 158mgPotassium: 975mgFiber: 8gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 912IUVitamin C: 41mgCalcium: 123mgIron: 7mg
    Keyword chili recipe, gluten-free chili recipe

    From Nigella Christmas by Nigella Lawson.

    Photos:  Meg van der Kruik

    Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Chili:

    Why do you put chocolate in chili?

    What benefit can bittersweet chocolate offer a pot of chili? Richness, deeper taste, and umami are all added. The chilies and other spices come alive and taste more authentic thanks to the chocolate.

    Where did chocolate in chili originate?

    The Aztec civilisation enjoyed chocolate before it was brought to the Europeans, and the combination of dark chocolate and chilli dates back to that time. This practice of combining the local cocoa bean and chiles is still prevalent throughout Central and South America.

    What makes a chili?

    Chile powder, beans, tomato, and ground beef. There are many variations of chili, but the fact that it uses a lot of fresh chilies or chili powder sets it different from other stews.

    Nigella Lawson's Homemade Chili Recipe with a Secret Ingredient

    You May Also Like

    • biggest cooking mistakes
      The Most Common Cooking Mistakes!
    • tray bake of chicken thighs and sausage on sheet pan
      Nigella's Easy Italian Tray Bake: Oven Chicken Bake…
    • White Chicken Chili with Bacon recipe
      White Chicken Chili with Bacon | Stove, Slow Cooker…
    • rich pumpkin chili recipe
      Rich Pumpkin Chili Recipe
    « The Best Cheese Sauce Recipe To Try Now
    An Easy Recipe For Marshmallow Fondant To Try Now »

    Share

    Reader Interactions

    4.86 from 21 votes (21 ratings without comment)

    Let Us Know What You Think Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    K.C. the G-Free Foodie

    K.C. is a farm-grown foodie, born and raised in the fertile fields of California’s San Joaquin Valley. After being diagnosed with Celiac Disease following years of unexplained illness, she has infused her gluten-free life with flavor, fork in hand. Learn more about K.C.

    Featured Recipes

    Glass bottle filled with tomato vinaigrette in front of a salad on a wooden table.

    Tomato Vinaigrette: An Easy Salad Dressing To Try Now

    gluten free coconut layer cake recipe

    The BEST Gluten-Free Coconut Cake

    tomato water

    Tomato Water | The Fresh Tomato Recipe You Didn't Know You Needed

    easy single serving sangria

    Easy Single-Serving Sangria

    SHOP GLUTEN FREE FAVES

    Popular Categories

    • Appetizers + Snacks
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Dining Tips
    • Main Dishes
    • Quick + Easy
    • Salads + Dressings
    • Soups
    • Tips + Tricks

    Footer

    People

    • About Us
    • Meet K.C. Cornwell
    • G-Free Foodie Gluten Free Advocates + Experts

    Business

    • Partnerships
    • Contact
    • Gluten Free Consulting Services
    • Privacy Policy & Disclaimer
    • Links & Cool Stuff

    Follow Me

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • TikTok

    G-Free Foodie © 2025 · All Rights Reserved

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.