Easy Homemade Sweet Chili Recipe

Sweet Chili is the perfect way to warm up when it’s cold outside, blending bold spices, beans, and a hint of semi-sweet chocolate in one pot. Top your bowl with fun garnishes like cheese, cilantro, or jalapeños for a bowl that feels cozy and satisfying.

Chili is a staple for football season so check out Super Bowl appetizers like Crab Sushi Bake, Baked Spinach and Shrimp Dip, and Sweet Chili Orange Chicken Wings.

Jump to Recipe

Jump to:

• What does adding chocolate to chili do?
• Sweet Chili Recipe Ingredients
• How to Make Sweet Chili
• How to Store Leftovers
• Sweet Chili Recipe Tips
• FAQs
• I hope you enjoy preparing this Sweet Chili!
• Sweet Chili Recipe

I’ve made a lot of chili recipes over the years, but this one stands out because it mixes sweet and savory in such a surprising way. Using both beef and pork gives it a rich, hearty base, and then comes the twist I never expected to love.

Chocolate in chili? I was skeptical at first, but that hint of semi-sweet chocolate adds depth and rounds out the flavor so well. Now it’s become one of my favorite versions to make for dinner, especially when I want something a little different.

What does adding chocolate to chili do?

Adding chocolate to chili deepens the flavor and balances the spices with a subtle sweetness. The richness of semi-sweet chocolate smooths out the acidity from the tomatoes and enhances the savory notes of the beef and pork. It doesn’t make the chili taste like dessert — instead, it adds complexity and warmth.

Sweet Chili Recipe Ingredients

Ground beef, spicy sausage, and three bean varieties make this sweet chili recipe super filling, and ingredients like chocolate, red wine, and tomato paste enrich the taste. This chili is sweet, smoky, and spicy.

1. Aromatics. sweet onion, green pepper, garlic cloves
2. Olive Oil. Use this for the sauté.
3. Meat. I use ground beef and spicy ground sausage.
4. Tomato Paste. this adds a bright acidic flavor.
5. Seasoning. I use a mouthwatering mix of oregano, onion powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
6. Red Wine. The alcohol cooks off but it deepens the flavor.
7. Beef Stock. Use this for the rich, savory flavor that offsets the sweetness.
8. Diced Tomatoes. Use a regular can and another two 10 oz cans of diced tomatoes with green chiles.
9. Beans. Use black beans, white kidney beans, and dark red candy beans.
10. Semi-Sweet Chocolate. This "secret ingredient" does add sweetness but also an earthy depth. The bitterness and richness of chocolate can balance out the acidity of tomatoes.

Chili Toppings

1. Cheddar Cheese
2. Cilantro
3. Plain Greek Yogurt Sour Cream
4. Jalapeños

How to Make Sweet Chili

Sauté the Base

I start by heating a large pot over medium-high heat and adding a little olive oil. Then I toss in the onion, green pepper, and garlic and let them sauté for a minute or two until fragrant. This gives the chili a flavorful base right from the start.

Brown the Meat

Next, I add the ground beef and spicy sausage, breaking them apart as they cook. Once the meat is browned, I season lightly with salt and pepper. If there’s excess fat, I drain it off before moving on.

Build the Flavor

Tomato paste goes in next, and I stir until everything is coated. Then I sprinkle in oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, and the rest of the seasonings, cooking for another minute to wake up the spices. A splash of red wine follows, and I let it simmer until it’s fully reduced.

Simmer the Sweet Chili

At this point, I stir in the diced tomatoes, tomatoes with green chiles, and all three kinds of beans. Once everything is combined, I pour in the beef stock and bring it to a simmer. I let the chili cook low and slow for 30 minutes to an hour so the flavors deepen.

Add the Finishing Touch

Just before serving, I stir in a spoonful or two of semi-sweet chocolate. It melts right in, adding richness and a subtle sweetness that makes the chili special. From there, I ladle it into bowls and load on my favorite toppings like cheddar cheese, cilantro, sour cream, or jalapeños.

Simmer Sweet Chili

Top with beef stock, stir, and let it simmer for 30 minutes to one hour. Gradually add chocolate, one tablespoon at a time, and then adjust sweetness to taste.

Garnish

Garnish the sweet chili with your favorite toppings and finally, enjoy!

How to Store Leftovers

Once the chili has completely cooled, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 2 months. Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight.

To reheat, simply microwave, warm it up on the stove or medium heat or in a crockpot on the warm setting.

Sweet Chili Recipe Tips

• Use both beef and pork. The combination adds richness and a hint of spice that makes the chili heartier than using just one type of meat.
• Sauté the vegetables first. Cooking the onion, pepper, and garlic before adding the meat builds flavor right from the start.
• Toast the spices. Stirring in the seasonings before adding liquids helps them bloom and makes the chili taste deeper and more aromatic.
• Let the wine reduce completely. This step concentrates the flavor without leaving a sharp, boozy taste in the chili.
• Simmer low and slow. Giving the chili at least 30 minutes to an hour allows the beans, meat, and spices to meld together beautifully.
• Add chocolate at the end. Stirring in semi-sweet chocolate just before serving keeps the flavor smooth and balanced without overpowering the chili.
• Customize the toppings. Cheese, cilantro, sour cream, or jalapeños all add extra texture and flavor, so everyone can make their bowl their own.

FAQs

What makes chili taste sweet?

Chili tastes sweet when naturally sweet ingredients like onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes caramelize as they cook. Some recipes also add brown sugar, corn, or even chocolate, which helps balance the acidity and gives the chili a richer, rounder flavor.

How much chocolate should you put in chili?

Start with 1 to 2 tablespoons of semi-sweet chocolate stirred in at the end of cooking. It’s enough to add depth and balance without overpowering the savory flavors.

What is the secret to really good chili?

The secret is layering flavors at every step—sautéing aromatics, browning the meat well, toasting spices, and letting everything simmer slowly. Finishing with a unique touch like chocolate or fun toppings makes it memorable.

I hope you enjoy preparing this Sweet Chili!

If you try this recipe, I'd love to see it! Share it with me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.