Transform your chilli with one 'odd' ingredient to make it taste 'incredible'

Nothing beats the comfort of a delicious, juicy, piping hot meal, and one beloved Mexican favourite reigns supreme.

Chilli con carne is adored by food enthusiasts worldwide and remains fairly straightforward and hassle-free to prepare.

It can be made using numerous methods, including in a slow cooker, oven, stovetop - and with a contemporary approach - even in an air fryer.

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Its celebrated taste depends largely on the blend of spices employed to elevate the tomato foundation and naturally the minced beef.

However, many domestic chefs choose their own special additions to provide it with a signature and unique character, reports the Express.

Typically discovered in confectionery, particularly during Easter period, it appears cocoa certainly belongs in savoury cuisine.

Cocoa may appear an unusual selection initially, but pairing chocolate with chillies dates back centuries.

Including some in your chilli brings complexity and richness to the fiery meal, rendering it both more flavourful and fulfilling.

It's also an excellent recommendation for those following plant-based or vegetarian lifestyles, contributing the robust tastes that are absent when preparing dishes without meat.

However, don't simply trust our judgement.

A Reddit thread enquiring about the finest additions for chilli received numerous responses, yet many participants concurred that cocoa proved the 'game changer'.

"Just a little cocoa, try it" recommended one contributor, prompting another response: "This would be my number one suggestion, and perhaps some worcestershire, fish sauce or marmite."

One user specifically suggested: "Unsweetend cocoa powder, not hot cocoa mix. But I also use 85 to 90% high quality dark chocolate, same result and the colour and aroma change is incredible."

The ideal time to introduce the unsweetened cocoa powder is when you're adding your dry spices like chilli powder and cumin.

Allow it to simmer for a bit, then have a little taste - but brace yourself for a mind-blowing experience.

Like all skilled chefs, don't hesitate to experiment further, and if you think an extra teaspoon or two could enhance it, feel free to add it.