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Dark chocolate red wine chili sauce in a bowl with chocolate shavings and chili.
Rich and intense sauce with red wine and chili

Dark Chocolate Red Wine Chili Sauce

Author: Flavelo
Sauces and Gravies Recipes
Using chocolate in savory dishes is an ancient tradition, famously perfected in Mexican 'mole'. This is not a dessert topping! The bitterness of high-cocoa dark chocolate and the tannins of red wine add incredible depth to beef, while the chili provides a gentle, warming kick. It's a bold, 'grown-up' flavor profile that is truly unforgettable.
🕒 Prep Time 5 mins
🍳 Cook Time 15 mins
⌛ Total Time 20 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 130 kcal
🌍 Cuisine International

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Small Saucepan: For cooking.
  • Whisk: To blend the cocoa and chocolate smoothly.

Allergen Information

⚠️ Sulfites (in wine)
⚠️ Soy (lecithin in chocolate)
⚠️ Milk (trace amounts in chocolate)

Instructions

1 ✓

Sauté the crushed garlic in the olive oil just until fragrant (do not let it brown).

Tip: Building the flavor foundation starts here.
2 ✓

Pour in the wine and boil for 2 minutes to cook off the raw alcohol smell.

Tip: Once the alcohol evaporates, you are left with the wine's rich essence.
3 ✓

Whisk in the cocoa powder, honey, and half of the chili powder. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes until it begins to turn syrupy.

Tip: Cocoa powder deepens both the color and flavor, while the honey caramelizes slightly.
4 ✓

Remove from heat. Add the chopped chocolate and stir constantly until melted and glossy.

Tip: Never boil chocolate directly, as it can seize or separate. The residual heat of the sauce is enough to melt it.
5 ✓

Taste and season with salt, pepper, and the remaining chili if you want more heat.

Tip: Salt is crucial here to make the chocolate taste savory rather than like a dessert.

Recipe FAQ

What kind of chocolate should I use?
Use dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids. Milk chocolate is too sweet and lacks the necessary cocoa butter body.
Won't it be too spicy?
The fat in the chocolate and the sweetness of the honey temper the heat. Start with less chili and taste as you go!

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup Dry Red Wine
  • 2 oz Dark Chocolate (min. 70%, chopped)
  • 1 tsp Chili Powder (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tbsp Honey
  • 1 tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 1 clove Garlic, crushed
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper