One-Pot Sweet and Spicy Chili Recipe
This one-pot Sweet and Spicy Chili Recipe is unlike any other chili you’ll ever taste! Made with warm spices, a touch of honey, and lean protein, it’s bursting with flavor. Prepare it in one pot in under an hour for a hearty cold-weather comfort food dinner!
This recipe was originally my mom’s. And honestly, it took quite a bit of effort to get it from her. You see, she cooks with her heart, meaning she had no ingredients, measurements, or exact steps – just a little of this and a little of that.
So, one day we sat down, and I basically made her write everything down. Ha! Eventually, I had her classic spicy chili. It’s one of my favorite meals. However, I have to admit that I tend to get a little bored and experiment with different flavor combinations in all my chilis.
Thus, this secretly sweet and spicy chili recipe was born! One day, I added cinnamon and nutmeg to the chili powder and cumin. Don’t ask me why. It just felt right, and it tasted even better! Then, the warm flavors needed a bit of balance. So, I added a dash of honey.
The result? A unique chili that’s sweet, savory, spicy, and unbelievably tasty! Trust me. Try it for yourself, and it will be an instant favorite.
Recipe Ingredients
Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions to make this sweet and spicy chili recipe. Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
- Protein – Two pounds of ground meat need to be used, but the kinds of ground meat can be adjusted. We prefer one pound of ground beef and one pound of ground turkey, venison, or bison. However, two pounds of ground beef works well, too. Just note that using two pounds of leaner meat such as ground turkey or game meat will result in a less flavorful chili unless you add two tablespoons of fat such as bacon renderings or butter when browning the meat!
- Onion – Use a white or yellow onion, whichever you have on hand!
- Tomato – We’re using tomato juice (or tomato sauce) and canned tomatoes to form the bulk of the chili, creating a savory taste and adding a chunky texture.
- Beans – Chili beans and kidney beans add lots of plant-based protein and fiber. Feel free to omit them if you aren’t a fan.
- Honey – Maple syrup or brown sugar will also work.
- Seasonings – Ground chili powder, ground cumin, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, ground cinnamon, and allspice create the warm, savory, spicy taste that sets this sweet and spicy chili apart.
How to Make This Easy Sweet and Spicy Chili Recipe
- Brown and sauté. Add the ground meat and diced onion to a large soup pot. Cook, breaking the meat as it cooks until no pink remains and the onions are translucent.
- Combine. Pour in the remaining ingredients including the beans, diced tomatoes, tomato juice, honey, and seasonings. Stir to combine.
- Cook. Cover the pot, and bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat, and simmer over medium-low heat to meld the flavors and thicken the chili.
- Serve. Portion your chili into bowls, and serve warm with your favorite toppings! We love to add shredded cheese, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), tortilla chips, green onion, or sliced avocado.
Common Questions
This chili is intentionally very mild in spice level with a subtle sweetness to make it friendly for children. Feel free to add more chili powder, cayenne pepper, and/or hot sauce to amp up the spice level for more mature palates.
We love to pair this recipe with a side of jalapeño cheddar cornbread or healthy pumpkin cornbread! However, it’s also great with lighter options like a Greek salad.
This recipe will keep fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Yes! You can freeze leftovers for up to 4 months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat in the microwave or in a pot over medium heat.
More Soups and Chilis
Did you enjoy this Sweet and Spicy Chili Recipe? We’d love it if you left a rating and review to let us know and don’t forget to tag us in your recreations on Instagram!
One-Pot Sweet and Spicy Chili Recipe
Equipment
- 1 knife
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground turkey, venison or bison (see notes)
- 1 onion, diced
- 6 cups (46-48 ounces) tomato juice
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can chili beans with liquid
- 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans with liquid
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1 Tablespoon ground chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
Instructions
- In a large soup pot, add the ground meat and diced onion. Saute 8-10 minutes or until the ground meat is browned and cooked through.1 lb ground beef, 1 lb ground turkey, venison or bison (see notes), 1 onion, diced
- Pour in the tomato juice, diced tomatoes, beans, honey and seasonings. Stir until combined.6 cups (46-48 ounces) tomato juice, 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, 1 (15 ounce) can chili beans with liquid, 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans with liquid, 2 Tablespoons honey, 1 Tablespoon ground chili powder, 1 Tablespoon ground cumin, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes. Adjust seasonings, if desired, before serving.
- When serving, top with shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips and green onion.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
It’s the honey and spices for me…divine!
Thank you for sharingthis yumminess at The Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. Watch for your feature on Monday xo