Dubai. The city of gold, luxury, and… unbelievably decadent desserts! Inspired by the rich, chocolatey flavors found in some of Dubai’s most extravagant treats (yes, chocolate with savory dishes is a thing!), I’ve created a recipe that will absolutely blow your mind: Dubai Chocolate-Inspired Slow Cooker Beef. Don’t worry, it’s not as wild as it sounds! This isn’t about a dessert-like main course; it’s about using the depth and complexity of dark chocolate to create an incredibly tender, flavorful, and surprisingly sophisticated beef stew. The chocolate doesn’t make it sweet, it enhances the savory notes, adding a richness you won’t believe. Prepare to be transported to a culinary oasis!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbelievably Tender Beef: Slow cooking guarantees fall-apart tender beef every time.
- Unique Flavor Profile: The dark chocolate adds a depth of flavor you won’t find in a traditional beef stew.
- Easy to Make: Dump and go! This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
- Impressive Results: Your family and friends will be amazed by this unexpected and delicious dish.
- Warm & Comforting: Perfect for a cozy night in.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Beef Chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 large Onion, chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
- 1 (14.5 oz) can Diced Tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15 oz) can Tomato Sauce
- 1 cup Beef Broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Cumin
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper (optional, for a little heat)
- 2 oz Dark Chocolate (70% cacao or higher), chopped
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp cold water, for thickening)
Instructions
- Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season beef with salt and pepper. Sear beef in batches until browned on all sides. Transfer to slow cooker.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and red bell pepper and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Transfer vegetables to the slow cooker. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Add Chocolate: Stir in the chopped dark chocolate.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, or until beef is very tender.
- Thicken Sauce: In the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until sauce has thickened.
- Serve: Serve hot over rice, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread.
Expert Tips
- Chocolate Quality Matters: Use good quality dark chocolate for the best flavor. Avoid chocolate with added flavors.
- Don’t Skip the Searing: Searing the beef adds a depth of flavor that you won’t get otherwise.
- Adjust the Spice: Feel free to adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your liking.
- Low and Slow is Key: The longer the beef cooks, the more tender it will become.
- Deglaze the Pan: After searing the beef, deglaze the pan with a little beef broth to scrape up any browned bits. This adds even more flavor to the stew.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Print
Dubai Chocolate-Inspired Slow Cooker Beef
- Total Time: 8 hrs 20 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Dubai Chocolate-Inspired Slow Cooker Beef combines tender beef with warm Middle Eastern spices, dates, and a hint of dark chocolate for a rich, exotic stew that’s both savory and subtly sweet.
Ingredients
2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into large cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup beef broth
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
½ cup chopped dates (or Medjool dates)
1 ounce dark chocolate (70% or higher), chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cinnamon stick
Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish
Cooked basmati rice or flatbread, for serving
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear beef cubes in batches until browned on all sides, then transfer to the slow cooker.
2. Add diced onion and garlic to the skillet, sauté for 2-3 minutes, then transfer to the slow cooker.
3. Stir in cumin, cinnamon, smoked paprika, coriander, turmeric, salt, and black pepper.
4. Add beef broth, diced tomatoes, dates, dark chocolate, tomato paste, and cinnamon stick to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
5. Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.
6. Remove cinnamon stick, taste, and adjust seasonings if needed.
7. Serve warm over basmati rice or with flatbread. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley.
Notes
The dark chocolate adds richness without overpowering the dish — start with 1 ounce and adjust to taste.
For a deeper flavor, use Medjool dates.
This stew tastes even better the next day, as the flavors continue to develop.
Pairs well with basmati rice, couscous, or warm naan bread.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 8 hrs
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 465
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg