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The Best Sweet Chili you ever had!

If you like a meaty chili then this will be the best sweet chili you ever had!

For years I have tried to find the best and perfect chili recipe with no luck. Everyone needs a great homemade chili recipe. Then a friend of mine made me her famous award winning chili and stars alligned. My family LOVED it and I had to ask her for the recipe.

…no tomato sauce and lots of tomato paste.

Mind blown! Now that I knew the secret it was time to create my own incredible sweet chili recipe using this new food knowledge and viola this recipe was born.

If you enjoy a meaty hearty chili you will fall in love with this recipe!

This recipe is SOOOO GOOD, Everyone asks for the recipe good! You cant wait for leftovers good!

I also added a little cinnamon into it which gives a great addition of depth in flavor to the dish! You can omit but I highly recommend giving it a try with the cinnamon. It adds a little extra something something you never knew was missing.

Why you will love this Sweet Chili Recipe

30 Minutes to Dinner
Super Easy
Extremely Tasty
Healthy (Soy Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Preservative Free, Sugar Free)
Family Friendly

Sweet Chili Recipe Sauce | Sweet Chili Ground Beef | Sweet Cowboy Chili Recipe | Sweet Tomatoes Chili Recipe | Sweet Beanless Chili Recipe | Sweet Chili Bacon Recipe

Is sweet chili healthy?

Yes, enjoy a clean eating version of chili! This homemade chili is preservative free and compiled of whole ingredients. It is also sweet using natural ingredients with no added sugar.

Ingredients you will need for this easy sweet chili recipe.

olive oil
sweet onion
garlic cloves
ground beef
bacon
diced tomatoes
tomato paste
frozen corn
black beans
cinnamon
black pepper
salt
chili powder
ground cumin
dried oregano
ground coriander

What is the best secret ingredient for chili?

The best secret ingredient for chili is cinnamon. Not enough to overpower the dish but enough to add a depth of flavor and sweet nodes into the dish. You may think this is such an odd ingredient for chili but trust me, you will never go back!
After discovering how a little cinnamon can go a long way I add a small amount into sauces, burgers, and all kinds of main dishes.

How to make this sweet chili?

Follow the directions below using a large dutch oven or stovetop pot for this chili. It can also be frozen after cooking individually or in gallon freezer bags for easy dinners or lunches anytime.

How to reheat cooked chili?

If you chili is frozen you can let it slowly heat up on the stove but I recommend thawing frozen chili in the fridge and then heating it up on the stove for about 15-20 minutes in a dutch oven or large pot.

What kind of bacon should I use?

Bacon is a super controversial ingredient. Some people swear it should never be eaten while others use it as a main component of diet.
The main thing to look at when shopping for bacon is that it is nitrate free, organic with no added sugars. You can also use your favorite bacon if you have one!

What to serve with sweet chili?

Serve with some good old fashioned cornbread, a side salad or some fruit.

How to store chili?

After cooking store in fridge in an airtight container for 3-5 days. You can also freeze for up to 3 months individually or in large quantity.

Do I need a slow cooker for this recipe?

You can use a slow cooker or crock pot for this recipe. It is designed to be fast and easy so you do not have to take the time to cook all night.

Can I use an instant pot instead?

Of course! If you are tight on time or a last minute cook then throw everything in the instant post and adjust cook time. For slow cooker to instant pot conversion times click here to get a simple instant pot cheat sheet. You will never have to guess or research an instant pot cook time again!

How do you make this Recipe? 👇

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

The Best Chili You Ever Had!

Prep Time25

Cook Time30

Total Time55

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: The Best Chili

Servings: 12

Calories: 581kcal

Author: Hannah Stewart

Ingredients

3 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
4 lb ground beef
2 lb bacon, cooked
4 x 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
2 x 6 oz can tomato paste
16 oz bag frozen corn
4 cup black beans
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp black pepper
5 tsp salt
1 1/2 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp ground corriander

Instructions

Directions:

Heat olive oil in Dutch oven or large stovetop pot over med-high heat. Add onion and sauté 3-5 min, or until onion begins to soften.
Add minced garlic and sauté for one minute.
Add in ground beef and brown. Once brown drain beef, then add back into Dutch oven.
Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer for 30-45 minutes. (THIS CHILI IS SERIOUSLY SO GOOD!)
Stir and serve! If freezing recipe then go to freezer directions.

Freezer Directions:

Label Freezer bag with recipe name, cooking directions below and expiration date (today's date plus three months)
Be sure to let chili cool before freezing in gallon ziplock bags…IF you have leftovers.
Seal bag, removing as much air as possible and freeze for up to three months

Cooking Directions from Frozen:

Dump bag into slow cooker and cook on low 3-4 hours or high 1-2 hours.

Cooking Directions from Thawed:

Stovetop: Bring to a simmer and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until chili reaches desired temp. Slow Cooker: Pour chili into slow cooker and cook on low 30 min – 1 hour.

Slow Cooker Directions:

Heat olive oil in Dutch oven or large stovetop pot over med-high heat. Add onion and sauté 3-5 min, or until onion begins to soften.
Add minced garlic and sauté for one minute.
Add in ground beef and brown. Once brown drain beef, then add into slow cooker.
Add in all remaining ingredients and cook on low for 2-4 hours.
Stir and serve! If freezing recipe then go to freezer directions.

Sweet chili recipe with baked beans | award winning sweet and spicy chili recipe | bean chili recipe | vegetarian baked bean chili | savory chili recipe | bushs baked bean chili | baked bean recipe

Are we friends yet? 👇

I forgot to thaw my freezer meal, now what?

No problem! Just throw the freezer meal in your slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours and you’re all set. If it doesn’t fit thaw it for a few minutes in warm water.

How do you sweeten chili?

The most common answer to this question is with sugar or brown sugar. But the natural ingredients in this recipe bring so much sweetness to the dish that the added sugar would overpower the chili.
This sweet is very similar to a sweet cowboy chili recipe.

Is sweet chili high in sugar?

Not this sweet chili! There is no added sugar in the dish, not even a natural sweetener. Although if desired raw honey would be a great addition. Enjoy this sweet chili with ground beef and bacon!

Can I use this recipe in my instant pot?

Absolutely. You may have to play around with cook times. If you’re interested in an instant pot cheat sheet for cook times click here!

Do you have to add sugar to chili?

Absolutely not. It is not a necessity and you will find you do not miss the sugar at all. The sweetness of tomatoes make this chili recipe perfect!

Should I add brown sugar to chili?

My thought process is always less sugar is better. I definitely love sweet and savory but the natural ingredients in this chili provide enough sweetness that brown sugar is not necessary,

How do you get butterness out of chili?

Just a bit of cinnamon is a great way to combat any of that potential bitterness in your chili. You can also add a bit of raw honey to taste if desired.

What add ons do I put in chili to make it taste better?

Cheese is my number one go to when it comes to topping off my bowl of chili. You can also add fresh chopped green onions, more bacon, sour cream, chives, fresh tomatoes or even salsa!

Do I have to add beans to this chili?

No you can easily enjoy a sweet beanless chili recipe by omitting the beans.

FREE Printable Meal Planner to help you get started today. 👇

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