Signature Spicy, Smoky, Sweet Chili (Video)

Signature Spicy, Smoky, Sweet Chili is my signature chili recipe. Slightly spicy, smoky, and sweet, it’s crock pot and freezer-friendly, too!

Happy second day of fall, y’all! Sorry, couldn’t help myself.

Mother Nature hasn’t gotten the memo that it’s no longer summer and, according to the weatherman, will be cranking out mid 70s for the forseeable future. I’m not complaining, but after experiencing the frigid 50s a few weeks ago I’ve made the mental shift and no longer feel right about wearing anything with short sleeves. Thus, I have been LIV-ING in jeans and The Black Fleece. You know the one!

Anyway, my taste buds are also craving a cozy yet casual experience so, despite the summery temps, I broke out my go-to Signature Spicy, Smoky, Sweet Chili recipe last weekend and gave it an updated twist to share with you in this Way Back Wednesday post!

Growing up I never really liked chili. It was always too…I don’t know, tomato-y? My Dad, the chief chili cooker in my house, always made it with huge hunks of tomato which, gagsville. Totally not knocking my Dad’s cooking, he’s the best hash brown, gumbo, and french toast maker this side of the Mississippi (always wanted to say that,) but he likes chunks and, well, I don’t.

It wasn’t until my early 20s that I fell in love with chili. I was living in the frigid tundra otherwise known as Minneapolis in the wintertime when one of my best girlfriends who was living right down the street at the time made a big pot for us to warm up with one dark and freezing night. The chili immediately won me over and I wrote the recipe down as soon as I scraped up the last bits from my bowl.

What was so great about Lindsey’s recipe that could erase 20+ years of chili avoidance? Surprise, surprise, it’s a tad sweet, plus it’s got some heat. Normally I’m not a huge spicy foods-lover, but with the touch of sweet it totally works.

Over the years I’ve fine-tuned her recipe to fit our tastes to a T and it’s become my go-to signature chili. I have the recipe memorized and make it over and over again in the fall and wintertime. It’s awesome for making on a Sunday afternoon then eating for lunch all week long. I never get sick of it!

I actually posted the recipe back in 2011 with cornbread baked on top but didn’t include measurements for the spices, and recently added smoked paprika to give the chili a kick of smokiness, so I’m featuring it again with an updated ingredient list.

I also tested my Signature Spicy, Smoky, Sweet Chili recipe in the crock pot and here are my thoughts: this chili can be ready to eat in less than 45 minutes – we’re talking from raw ingredients to scooped into a bowl and topped with freshly grated cheese – in a soup pot or Dutch Oven on the stove. BUT, if you want to be able to throw a bunch of ingredients in a crock pot and walk away for 4-6 hours then it works perfectly that way too. Either way, you’re going to love it!

Start by browning 1lb ground beef with 1 large chopped shallot or 1 small onion, 2 cloves garlic, salt, and pepper in a large soup pot or Dutch Oven. If you’re going the crock pot route then brown the beef mixture in a skillet and then add it to a 5-6 quart crock pot.

Next add a 28oz can tomato sauce, 15oz can baked beans, and 15oz can black beans, drained and rinsed. For whatever reason I’ve always used Bush’s Vegetarian Baked Beans in my signature chili, but you can use whatever kind you like best. I just love how the baked beans add a touch of sweetness!

Now add all the spices that turn tomato sauce and beans into Signature Spicy, Smoky, Sweet Chili. You’ll need 3 Tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon each salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon (or more or less) cayenne pepper.

The smoked paprika gives this chili a totally unique flavor and plays well off the smoky/spicy chili and cayenne powders. Mmm!

Now for the piece de resistance: 1-2 heaping Tablespoons brown sugar. The chili tastes completely different without the brown sugar so if you like a subtle sweetness in your chili then you’ve just got to go for it! Trust me, it will not make your chili taste like candy. It’s all about balance between spicy, smoky, and sweet.

Place a lid on top then simmer for 30 minutes, stirring two or three times. Alternatively, stir everything together in the crock pot then cook on low for 4-6 hours. If you’re around you can give it a stir a few times, but it’ll be ok in there if you can’t stir it. I tried letting the chili slow cook for 8 hours but it reduced down a bit too much and some of the flavors got lost. Stick with 4-6 and you’ll be set.

This chili also freezes PERFECTLY. Let it cool completely then scoop into a freezer bag and freeze flat. To reheat, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat on the stove.

When it’s time to eat, scoop the chili into bowls (these little crocks are from Ben’s Chili Bowl in D.C.!) then top with melted cheese, chopped green onions, and tortilla chips for crunch!

I could not love this chili more – well I guess I do with the addition of that smoked paprika! Me + Signature Spicy, Smoky, Sweet Chili = always and forever.

Oh, don’t forget the cornbread! I made a gluten-free batch then topped it with Cinnamon-Honey Butter. That’s just 1/4 cup softened butter mixed with 2 Tablespoons honey and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Reeeeeediculous!

I hope you enjoy as much as I do!

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