Best Ever Sweet Chili Recipe

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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.

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.

Sweet Chili with just a little kick perfect for cold weather.

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.)

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!

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.

Sweet Chili with just a little kick perfect for cold weather.

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

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

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 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!

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16 Comments

  1. This recipe looks delicious!! But I have no idea what can sizes you are referring to. I’d especially like to know the tomato sauce can size.

    1. I added the sizes to the recipe card. I use what I consider to be the normal size cans- I nearly forgot you can buy smaller or bigger. All the cans used in the recipe look the same size when lined up on the grocery store shelves, though the ounce size varies a little on the cans I have in my pantry. I hope adding the measurements helps you! Enjoy the chili!

  2. Wonderful recipe that is very easy to follow. I made a few changes. I was using homemade tomato sauce which was sweet from using fresh-picked tomatoes so I cut the brown sugar in half. I added 4 cups of homemade pinto beans (made from dried beans) and used frozen corn. This is a fantastic recipe for kids. A+ for this one.

    1. I’m so glad this recipe worked well for you. Thanks for sharing your changes and experience. I also find this to be a very versatile recipe- you can easily use what you have on hand, or what your family prefers.

    1. This recipe makes right around 4 quarts of chili. The amount of servings it makes, really depends on your portion sizes and appetites.
      For my family I serve two cup portions for the adults and teens and one cup portions for the younger kids.
      This recipe makes a minimum of 8 servings- but can serve as many as 16 with one cup portions.

  3. This is great I add a bit more sugar and add diced tomatoes no pepper and double everything make 5 gallons and then freeze what we don’t eat so I have for 2 weeks for my lunches this chili is amazing

  4. Hi Amanda! I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend so far!
    What kind of tomato sauce do you recommend using for this chili recipe?
    Your thoughts are appreciated!

    1. Hi Lindsey! I use cans of plain, unseasoned tomato sauce in this recipe such as ‘Hunts Tomato Sauce’. I hope you love this chili as much as my family does!

  5. Hello! We just love this recipe, and I love making this meal for loved ones!
    Do you happen to know how many calories are in a serving, or the macros?

    Thank you so much!

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