Sweet Chili
Sweet chili is a classic beef chili with a tablespoon of maple syrup and a tablespoon of cocoa powder browned into the meat. It comes together in one pot on the stovetop in about an hour, freezes well, and reheats all week.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a traditional beef chili recipe, but the sweet and savory flavors of this dish just take the classic comfort food to a whole new level. It's become my new favorite way to enjoy a bowl of chili. Especially with cornbread or soft pretzels on the side!
What Is Sweet Chili?
Sweet chili is exactly what it sounds like! We take the classic flavors of traditional tomatoey chili and add a touch of sweetness. The maple syrup in this recipe pairs perfectly with the savory beef and adds a subtle maple flavoring to the dish.
Some sweet chili recipes add as much as ½ cup of brown sugar to the pot! I have found that just a dash of maple adds the perfect hint of sweetness without it tasting like dessert.
Sweet Chili Recipe Ingredients
- Olive oil - Helps soften and cook the garlic and onion, creating a rich caramelized flavor.
- Garlic - For a bold taste.
- Vegetables - Onions and tomatoes build the base, the corn adds pops of sweetness, and the green pepper keeps a little bite even after simmering.
- Ground beef - I use 85 - 90% lean so there’s less grease and the maple and cocoa come through. However, any beef you like best would still taste great.
- Cocoa powder - Used to add more depth and richness.
- Maple syrup - One tablespoon is all it takes!
- Seasonings - Chili, oregano, and sea salt combine to add extra savoriness and just a hint of spice.
- Black beans - Included for texture and to stretch a pound of beef into a full pot.
- Tomato sauce - Added to the broth for a soup-like texture that’s still loaded with flavor.
- Vegetable broth - Low-sodium gives you control over the salt since the canned tomatoes and beans bring their own. Any broth you have on hand works.
- Toppings - Technically optional, topping your sweet chili off with Greek yogurt or sour cream and plenty of shredded cheese makes it a truly drool-worthy recipe.
Easy Sweet Chili Recipe Variations
- Add a diced jalapeno to the chili for some heat.
- Throw in a diced sweet potato for more bulk. Cook it with the meat so it has enough time to soften.
- Add another can of black beans, or kidney or navy beans, for a heartier pot.
How to make Sweet Chili
Simmered on the stove, this sweet chili recipe will have your entire house smelling divine. All you’ll need is a large pot, a wooden spoon or spatula, and bowls for serving!
Ansley's Tips
- Be sure to brown the spices and maple syrup into the meat. This is how best to distribute the flavoring throughout the entire dish. The maple syrup also cooks down into the meat to develop a subtly sweet flavoring.
- This sweet chili is best cooked partly covered with a lid so the spices have time to soak into the meat and vegetables and partly uncovered so any excess liquid has room to evaporate so the chili can thicken up.
- If you prefer your chili a little soupier, add another splash of broth to help loosen it up. Chili is supposed to be full of flavor so don’t be afraid to add more to the pot.
Make the Best Sweet Chili Recipe in the Crockpot!
This chili can also be slowly simmered in a crockpot. Place all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 5 - 7 hours or on high for 2 - 3 hours until the beef is brown all the way through. Serve with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of greek yogurt and enjoy.
What to serve with Sweet Chili
There are so many side dish options to accompany chili:
How to Store
Allow the chili to cool before transferring it to a large airtight container.
Fridge - Store leftovers in the fridge for up to a week. When ready to serve, heat it back up on the stove or in individual bowls in the microwave. If needed, add a splash of broth or water to help thin it out.
Freezing - Store the chili in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, let it thaw completely. Then, warm it up on the stove or in the microwave, and enjoy.
Reheating this Easy Sweet Chili Recipe
Stove top: Add the chili back to a pot along with a splash of broth (about ¼ - ½ cup depending on how much you’re heating up). Heat on medium low until warm and serve.
Microwave: Heat the chili in individual bowls with a paper towel over top in the microwave in 30 second intervals. Stir the chili in between and continue to cook until warm.
Best Sweet Chili Recipe FAQs
Yes, to do so, I recommend using 2 large sweet potatoes in place of the beef. They will add more flavor and bulk to the chili.
Yes, either will work.
On its own, sweet chili has a bit of a kick thanks to the chili powder, but I definitely wouldn’t call it spicy. Savory with a hint of sweetness, it’s super kid-friendly. Of course, if preferred, you could enhance the spice level with extra chili powder or even a dash of hot sauce!
Check out these recipes for more cozy options:
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Recipe
Sweet Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 garlic clove - chopped
- 1 white onion - chopped
- 1 lb ground beef - I prefer lean
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup - or agave syrup or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 green bell pepper - chopped
- 15.25 oz corn - drained
- 15 oz can black beans - drained
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- ⅔ cup vegetable broth - any type of broth will work
To top
- greek yogurt - or sour cream, optional
- Cheese - shredded, optional
Instructions
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil, chopped garlic, and chopped white onion over medium. Stir constantly until the onions turn translucent and become soft.
- Next add the ground beef, cocoa powder, maple syrup, chili powder, oregano, and sea salt. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to brown the meat until it’s just barely pink.
- Add the chopped green bell pepper, corn, black beans, and diced tomatoes. Gently mix into the beef mixture to distribute. Pour in the can of tomato sauce and the broth and mix into the chili. Cover the pot and allow it to simmer for 20 minutes and then remove the lid and let it simmer uncovered for another 20 - 30 minutes until the bell peppers are soft. Stir occasionally as the chili cooks. Reduce the heat to low to keep the pot warm until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve, use a ladle to portion the chili into bowls and top with a dollop of greek yogurt or sour cream and cheese, if desired, and enjoy!
Can you reheat in a crockpot?
Yes! I would add a splash of water or broth when reheating to help loosen it up.
Got my husband’s approval and wanting more and he’s not even a big fan of chili!!!
Ha! Happy to hear you both approve!