Best Ever Sweet Chili Recipe - Big Family Blessings (2024)

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When it’s cold outside Sweet Chili is the perfect dinner choice. This sweet chili recipe is the perfect combination of sweet with a little kick- it’s the ultimate cold weather comfort food.

As soon as the weather dips to cooler temps, this is the first dinner my kids start asking for!

This easy recipe is one your whole family will love.

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It is one of my quickest and easiest winter evening meals, and it’s easy to keep all the ingredients on hand all winter long.

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I’ll make a big batch when I’ve forgotten to plan dinner ahead, or even when I end up with last minute dinner company.

Everyone always loves it and asks for the recipe before they head home!
This recipe is the perfect way to introduce children to chili with its slightly sweet flavor.

The departure from traditional chili with the addition of adding a little brown sugar in the chili while cooking gives this chili a flavor of its own.

(Find the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

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My favorite way to serve this sweet chili is with a heaping basket of corn bread muffins. My kids love to crumble the muffins right into their bowls of chili.

Fritos or your favorite corn chip is another great thing to serve alongside to dip in this chili, especially for kids!

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You can also serve this chili with fun toppings available, such as extra shredded cheese, diced spring onions or chives, or sour cream.

Like the majority of my favorite recipes, this one is quick and easy. Plus it freezes well, so cook a huge pot and enjoy it all winter long!

Game day, snow day, or just a night when you need an easy recipe- this is the recipe for you!

If you like easy recipes that your whole family will love be sure to check out all the easy recipes here on Big Family Blessings.

Can I freeze Sweet Chili?

Yes, you can freeze this sweet chili for up to three months. I often make a big batch of sweet chili early in the fall to enjoy all season long.

Freeze the chili in plastic quart containers or flat in gallon zip top bags.

When you are read to eat the frozen sweet chili, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat in a pot on the stove or in individual serving size bowls in the microwave.

How do I sweeten Chili?

This chili is made sweet with the addition of brown sugar. If you’d like your chili a little sweeter, simply add more brown sugar until it tastes perfect to you.

How do I make Chili Sweet and Spicy?

While the recipe calls for just enough chili powder for a little kick, but feel free to add more chili powder or a little cayenne pepper to suit your taste.

When I serve this chili to a crowd, I offer the red pepper shaker to those who like a real kick in their chili.

How to Make Sweet Chili

This easy sweet chili is a one pot meal- which is my favorite on busy fall and winter evenings!

You’ll simply brown and drain the meat, cut up your pepper and onion, and dump in the rest of the ingredients, heat and eat! So easy!

Sweet Chili Ingredients:

Sweet chili is so simple to make, with easy to find ingredients:

  • ground beef
  • onion
  • garlic powder
  • green peppers
  • tomato sauce
  • kidney beans
  • canned corn
  • brown sugar
  • chili powder
  • salt
  • pepper
  • oregano
  • cumin

Yield: 4 quarts

Best Ever Sweet Chili

Best Ever Sweet Chili Recipe - Big Family Blessings (12)

This sweet chili recipe is the perfect combination of sweet with a little kick- it’s the ultimate cold weather comfort food

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time30 minutes

Total Time40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 3 cans tomato sauce (14.5 oz each)
  • 1 can kidney beans, rinsed (16 oz)
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 can corn, drained (15.25 oz)
  • 1 cup red and/or green peppers diced

Instructions

  1. Brown ground beef, onion, and garlic in skillet.
  2. Drain.
  3. Add chili powder, salt, pepper, oregano, and cumin.
  4. Stir in tomato sauce.
  5. Add 1/3 cup brown sugar.
  6. Fold in kidney beans, corn, and diced peppers.
  7. Simmer 15 minutes.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Looking for more easy recipes?

This Stuffed Pepper Soup is another fall and winter favorite. Stuffed Pepper Soup is quick and easy to cook, with all the great taste of stuffed peppers in a hearty, comforting soup.

Not only is it super simple to cook, but this Chicken Tortilla Soup tastes as good as any I’ve ever had at a restaurant!

Best Ever Sweet Chili Recipe - Big Family Blessings (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to amazing chili? ›

Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.

How do you make sweet chili more savory? ›

But don't fret. If you need to balance that sweetness with a little bit of tang, lemon juice's contrasting flavor can do just that, transforming your chili from sweet to spicy and savory.

How can I make my chili more exciting? ›

Fresh toppings are an easy way to add new flavor and texture to the premade meal.
  1. Adding beer to your chili can make it more complex. ...
  2. Mix in cocoa for a deeper flavor. ...
  3. Fresh, chopped ingredients are excellent chili toppings. ...
  4. You can also top your meal with cooked bacon. ...
  5. Roast and mix in some chiles.
Oct 16, 2022

Why do you put brown sugar in chili? ›

The brown sugar gave it a sweet/tangy flavor that reminded me of BBQ-sauce! Th chili was so good - it was hard to stop eating it! I did had some extra veggies (1 cl. garlic, 1 celery stalk, 1 carrot, 1 bell pepper, 1 hot pepper) and used a can of diced tomatoes rather than tomato juice.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What makes chili taste sweet? ›

The real key to great chili however is brown sugar! In fact, brown sugar is what gives the chili a subtle sweetness you never even knew you were missing. With both subtly sweet tones and punches of heat, this Sweet and Spicy Chili, lives up to it's name, it truly is sweet and sassy!

Why do you put molasses in chili? ›

You'll see that the tangy sweetness of molasses in chili pairs beautifully with tomatoes. It softens their tart acidity and adds flavour with just the right substance.

What happens when you add sugar to chili? ›

Why is sugar used in this chili recipe? Sugar is used to cut the acidity of the tomatoes used in my homemade chili recipe. Using a small amount of sugar balances the flavors which in turn creates a smoother and richer taste overall.

What is my chili missing? ›

Sometimes after a long simmer, your chili will taste wonderful be maybe missing one little thing you can't figure out. Try a tad bit of vinegar or a squeeze of lime! The acidity in vinegar & limes bring a good roundness to the pot and binds all the flavors together.

Is chili better the longer it cooks? ›

A low and slow cook time—at least an hour total—is key for drawing out the most flavor in a pot of chili. Yes, a quick chili is most welcome on weeknights, but it won't have quite the same results. A slow cooker works wonders, but if you're short on time, try a pressure cooker.

Why add vinegar to chilli? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

Why do you put honey in chili? ›

Honey adds a tasty balance to your bowl, but maybe the sweetest part of making chili is how adaptable it can be. Simple tweaks can yield some mind-blowing results that will inspire creativity.

Why do people put sour cream in chili? ›

The slightly tart flavor will add brightness and complexity to your tried-and-true chili recipe, while the thick texture creates heartiness and a creamy mouthfeel.

Why do people put baking soda in chili? ›

According to the magazine's food experimenters, the baking soda treatment will definitely keep the meat tender and juicy when cooked.

Why would you put vinegar in chili? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

What does adding sugar to chili do? ›

Why is sugar used in this chili recipe? Sugar is used to cut the acidity of the tomatoes used in my homemade chili recipe. Using a small amount of sugar balances the flavors which in turn creates a smoother and richer taste overall.

What are the blooming spices for chili? ›

This is called “blooming”. Once the meat/onions have cooked and the tomato paste has caramelized, add your chili powder and other dry seasonings (e.g. cumin, coffee, garlic, oregano, etc.) to the pan. Give them a couple minutes in the tomato paste (or just the warm pan) to “wake up”.

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