This Candy Chili is a hearty, candy and savory crockpot chili loaded with beef, bacon, and 5 sorts of beans— it’s a simple, crowd-pleasing recipe that wins cook-offs and makes everybody come again for seconds.
Straightforward and Scrumptious Crockpot Candy Chili
Don’t let the identify throw you—candy and chili don’t often go collectively, however this recipe has been successful hearts (and chili cook-offs) for over 20 years. It’s wealthy, hearty, deeply flavorful, and surprisingly balanced. Floor beef, smoky bacon, and a colourful number of beans simmer collectively in a sweet-savory sauce created from brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, and spices.
It’s a kind of uncommon “everybody loves it” meals. I’ve but to fulfill somebody who didn’t return for seconds, and I’ve shared the recipe extra occasions than I can rely.
However right here’s the actual magic: it takes lower than 10 minutes to throw collectively—particularly in the event you maintain cooked beef and pre-made bacon readily available. Add every little thing to the crockpot, flip it on, and stroll away. By dinnertime, you’ve received a comfy, satisfying meal that tastes such as you hovered over the range all afternoon.
Good for busy nights, potlucks, sport days, or once you want a slam-dunk dinner with zero fuss.
Suggestions & Methods:
Use Pre-Cooked Bacon for Pace
Excessive-quality pre-cooked bacon crumbles superbly and cuts prep time considerably.
Style Earlier than Serving
The sweetness varies barely relying on the beans. Regulate brown sugar and vinegar on the finish to excellent the stability.
Make It a Meal
Serve with:
- Cornbread
- A inexperienced salad
- Baked potatoes
- Tortilla chips
- Garlic bread
Double It for Meal Prep
This chili reheats superbly and thickens over time—superb for lunches, leftovers, or freezer meals.
Thick or Skinny? You Select
- For a thicker chili: take away the lid the final half-hour.
- For a thinner consistency: add 1/2 cup broth.
Substitutions & Variations:
Protein Swaps
- Floor turkey or hen
- Plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian model (omit bacon)
- Add sausage for a richer taste
Bean Swaps
Use any mixture of:
- Pinto
- Navy
- Black beans
- Cannellini
- Borlotti
- Further chili beans
Sweetness Degree
- Scale back brown sugar for a extra savory chili
- Add extra catsup for tang
- Add honey or maple syrup for a special sweetness profile
To Add Warmth
- 1–2 diced jalapeños
- 1–2 tsp chili powder
- A pinch of cayenne
- Chipotle peppers in adobo
Make It Smokier
- Smoked paprika
- Liquid smoke (1/4 tsp)
- Hickory bacon
Make It Creamy
Stir in:
- Cream cheese (4 oz)
- Bitter cream (1/2 cup)
- A splash of heavy cream
Searching for Extra Scrumptious Chili Recipes?
Candy Chili
This award-winning Candy Chili walks the proper stability between candy and savory. It is a fast, crowd-friendly crockpot meal that children and adults love!
Servings: 8
- 1 lb floor beef or turkey
- 1/2 lb bacon
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 16 oz pork and beans or baked beans
- 15 oz chili beans undrained
- 15 oz kidney beans undrained
- 15 oz Nice Northern beans undrained
- 15 oz butter beans or cannellini beans undrained
- 15 oz chickpeas undrained
- 1/2 cup ketchup add extra for additional tang
- 3/4 cup brown sugar modify for sweetness
- 1 tbsp white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- salt and pepper to style
- shredded cheddar or monterey jack cheese for topping
- sliced inexperienced onions for topping
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Brown floor beef with chopped onion; drain and switch to crockpot.
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Chop bacon and fry till browned (it’ll soften within the chili). Add to crockpot.
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Add all beans and stir nicely.
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In a small bowl, whisk collectively catsup, brown sugar, vinegar, and dry mustard.
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Pour sauce combination over chili and stir totally.
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Cook dinner on excessive for 3 hours or low for six–8 hours.Oven methodology: Bake at 375°F for 90 minutes or till heated by way of.
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Serve with shredded cheese, inexperienced onions and extra bacon on prime.