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Three bowls of sweet and spicy chili with saltine crackers scattered around the bowls.
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Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Chili

This sweet and spicy chili has the perfect balance of sweet and spicy! Plus, for added convenience it's made in the slow cooker AND it feeds a crowd! 
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 50 minutes
Servings 14 servings
Calories 442kcal
Author Whitney Wright

Equipment

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

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

Nutrition

Calories: 442kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 460mg | Potassium: 373mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 980IU | Vitamin C: 23.8mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2.1mg