Sweet and Spicy Chili
This is THE BEST Sweet and Spicy Chili EVER! This chili is loaded with delicious meat and the perfect blend of spices to deliver an award winning chili recipe!
Serve this delicious chili with a slice of my best Bisquick Cornbread.
I’ve packed it with hot Italian sausage (so good), and 2 pounds of ground beef. I’d say three pounds of meat is a lot, wouldn’t you? To offset the meat I’ve added a variety of beans for good measure. This chili is very filling. Trust me, you don’t need a large serving to fill you up.
Now remember… this chili will feed a crowd! Like, this makes a lot of chili! But that’s a good thing!!
This is the best chili I’ve ever had. Ever. In my whole entire life.
There’s one thing you should know about this Sweet and Spicy Chili recipe, it’s addicting. You’ll find yourself craving it all winter long. It’s comfort food at its finest.
The best part about this chili recipe is that you CAN TELL as soon as you take a bite it’s sweet AND it’s spicy. It’s amazing.
The sweetness factor isn’t overwhelming and the spiciness won’t make you breath fire. It’s a pleasant heat wave that comes a few seconds after you put a spoonful of the soup in your mouth.
Now, every chili has garnishes. This one is no different.
The best garnishes for Sweet and Spicy Chili
- Sour cream
- Cheese (I like Colby Jack cheese)
- Lime wedges
- Chives (didn’t have them on hand… those buggers can be expensive!)
- Saltine Crackers
I like to use the saltine cracker as a spoon. It’s true. You don’t even need a spoon to eat this soup. The saltine cracker becomes the vehicle that delivers this deliciousness to your mouth.
How to make Sweet and Spicy Chili
First, dice up the bell peppers and onions. Sauté them until the onions become translucent, cook them for about 8 minutes. Add the garlic, cook for one minute more. Once you’ve done that, transfer this mixture to the slow cooker.
Then brown the meats. Once browned and cooked through, add the meat to the slow cooker.
Add all of the remaining ingredients and spices to the slow cooker. Stir everything to until its combined.
That’s it. No lie.
It’s SO easy to make! Seriously, the easiest chili recipe known to man… and the most delicious!
Can you freeze Sweet and Spicy Chili?
- Yes. Freeze in an airtight container. The day before you want to eat it, thaw it in the refrigerator and then place in a large pot to warm it up, OR place it in your slow cooker to warm it up. Either way will work just fine.
- Heck, or you can microwave it. Whatever works best for you.
Additional slow cooker and soup recipes:
- Potato Pepper Jack Soup
- White chicken chili
- Grape Jelly Meatballs
- Lasagna Soup
- Sausage and Tortellini Soup
- Taco Soup
- Broccoli Potato Soup
- Slow Cooker Lasagna
If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to come back and leave a rating and review! Other readers (and myself) appreciate the feedback.
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Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Chili
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 orange bell pepper - diced
- 1 red bell pepper - diced
- 1 large sweet onion - diced
- 2 tablespoons garlic - minced
- 1 lb hot Italian sausage - casings removed
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 2 6-oz cans tomato paste
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 2 16 oz cans dark red kidney beans - drained and rinsed
- 1 22 oz can Bush’s Grillin’ Beans Bourbon and Brown Sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar - packed
- 1 cup water
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes - (For less heat, only add 1/4 tsp)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/8-1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper - (for less heat, only add 1/8 tsp)
Garnishes
- sour cream
- grated cheese
- saltine crackers - (I love to use the saltine cracker to scoop up the chili)
- lime wedges
Equipment
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat add the olive oil. Once shimmering add the onion and bell peppers. Cook until onion is translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Remove from heat and transfer this mixture to the slow cooker.
- Place the large skillet over medium heat again, this time add the hot Italian sausage and the ground beef. Using a wooden spoon, break the meat up into small pieces. Cook until no longer pink. Drain the fat.
- Place the cooked meat in the slow cooker.
- Add all of the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker except for the garnishes. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Stirring at least once within those 4 hours (making sure to scrape the bottom so no food sticks).
- Serve warm! This recipe makes a lot! And it’s filling 🙂
Video
recipe adapted from A Family Feast.
59 Comments on “Sweet and Spicy Chili”
Hands down thee best chili I’ve ever made. It is now the only chili recipe I use. I’m actually making it today to take for a party at camp with friends. Some like it spicy some don’t, so I add a little heat and then once it’s done cooking I take out half then add more heat and let it cook a little longer. They couldn’t be happier lol. Thank you for this recipe
Absolutely way too sweet for my taste and definitely not spicy. To me it just tasted like brown sugar and bbq sauce. Personally not a fan, I couldn’t even finish my bowl. My husband liked it. If you like your chili sweet I guess this is the one for you.
Easy to make and super good! Made this for my family the other day and then completely ignored the other leftovers in the fridge because all I wanted was this chili! Will probably make it again soon!
I’m looking at the ingredients and there seems to be a lot of stuff going into this chili. There is alot happening…. Which is good! However, it calls for 1 teaspoon of chili powder? ….. 1 teaspoon? and then 1 1/2 tablespoons of paprika?. Is this supposed to be the other way around because it doesn’t sound like a teaspoon of chili powder would go very far with this mixture and sounds like a lot of paprika. Thank you
That’s correct, 1 teaspoon chili powder. You’re welcome to add more!
What is the serving size for the nutritional facts at the bottom?
There are an estimated amount of 14 servings, so the nutritional information is listed for just 1 serving. Let me know if you have any other questions!
What kind of cheese do you think compliments the flavors best as a garnish?
You could use any cheese, a Mexican blend, Monterey Jack, cheddar cheese, Colby Jack cheese.
Did you get this from A Family Feast? https://www.afamilyfeast.com/glenns-sweet-spicy-slow-cooker-chili nts
Hi! Yes, it’s adapted from Glenns sweet and spicy chili. The adapted from link should be in the recipe card, however, I just looked and it isn’t. I will add it in. (I have a VA who updates posts and they removed it without my knowledge. I apologize).
I made the chili today. It was super sweet. I think the next time I will add only 1/2 cup of sugar.
Made this for a chili cook off with 22 entries yesterday. I tweaked on the spicy to make it hotter. Won 1st place for hottest chili!!!
Wohooooo!!!!! Congratulations Holli!!
This chili is so yummy! Making it now for the second time! I am cutting back on the brown sugar this time, we liked it the first time, but a little too sweet for our taste! But no worries, just cutting back a little bit this time. Also, I’m using ground venison this time instead of ground beef. Just because we had it and needed to use it! Excited to see how it tastes! Thanks so much for this recipe!
Thanks for your sweet comment Kirsten! So glad you enjoy this recipe.
Can I replace hambuger and pork for plant base Like beyond buger?
Personally, I’ve never tried it, but I’m sure that would be fine. Let me know how it goes!
Winning Chili Recipe
I entered a chili cook off at church. Being the competitive person I am, I wanted to win. I typed in winning chili recipe and BAM!!! The title for this is no joke. It tasted just as described.
Rusty, this made my day! So happy you loved the chili!
Can this recipe be made using sweet italian turkey sausage and ground turkey breast? It sounds delicious, but would like to cut down on the calories somewhat.
I think the recipe would taste great with both of those meats. Obviously, the taste will be a tad different, but I think it will still be delicious! Let me know if you make it and how it turns out.
I’ll be sure to let you know how it turns out. Since I’ve always been a fan of the sweeter version of chili as opposed to the spicy hot chili, I’m sure I’m going to love it.
I love this recipe and so does my children and neighbors! However, doing it exactly the way the direction say is WAY too sweet! Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE sweet with savory. It is the best! BUT this one was just too sugary, sooooo to cut the sweet I used one more can of beans, more water, and a ton of salt.
The next time I cooked this recipe I completely left out the extra sugar and added a can of red beans. That did the trick! It was perfect! Thank you so much for opening my eyes to a way better chili recipe than what I had before. My kids and neighbors beg me to make it for them all the time!
Thanks for noting your adaptations Chrissy, they sound delicious! Glad you enjoy the recipe so much!
I have this cooking in the crockpot now. Just gave it a stir and taste and OMG it’s delicious. I literally said OMG which in return lead too everyone in my family too come over and do a taste test of their own and it’s anonymous OMG HOLY YUM!!!
Yay!! So happy to hear this!
Just wondering if this dish can cook on low for 8 hours instead of 4? I’d like to put it in the slow cooker before I heading to work. Thank you!
Yep! Should be just fine. My slow cooker tends to cook things faster (or so it feels). But essentially the slow cooker is just getting everything nice and hot. The meat is cooked before going into the SC so there’s no worries there.
Thank you, Whitney! Can’t wait to make this. My sister made it and said it’s a keeper.
This is the only chili recipe I have used more than once… I absolutely love it!
I did not use the hot Italian sausage, just mild. I did add a yellow bell pepper, and I didn’t have any red pepper flakes handy.
I’m actuality getting ready to make it a third time!!
So glad to hear this Robin! We love this recipe too. So flavorful and so satisfying!
Made the Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Chili today my family & I loved it! I have made several different chili recipes but this one stands out and is by far one of the best chili recipes you will ever make! We like less heat and it was delicious 😋
Thank you!
Thanks for your sweet comment Gail, so glad you liked it!
It’s our go-to chili recipe 🙂
I made this for dinner tonight and it was a hit! It was super easy to make and so delicious. My husband and I loved the sweetness of this chili. I’ll definitely be making this again and again!
So happy to hear this Jessica!! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and review ❤️
You’re absolutely right, this is the best chili ever! I love that it’s made in the slow cooker. We made this recipe to serve family after our sons baby blessing one Sunday. After we all ate, everyone was asking us for the recipe! This is a bomb chili recipe! Thanks
Your description mentions lentils but I don’t see them in the recipe. Did you forget to add them?
This chili sounds terrific. Definitely going to try it soon!
You’re right! I said lentils, but didn’t end up using them in this recipe. Sorry! I removed that in the blog post 🙂 Thanks for bringing that to my attention.
This chili is so yummy! After you get the chance to make it, report back! I’d love to hear what you think.