This Sweet Chili is a hearty, sweet and savory crockpot chili loaded with beef, bacon, and five kinds of beans— it’s an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe that wins cook-offs and makes everyone come back for seconds.
Easy and Delicious Crockpot Sweet Chili
Don’t let the name throw you—sweet and chili don’t usually go together, but this recipe has been winning hearts (and chili cook-offs) for over two decades. It’s rich, hearty, deeply flavorful, and surprisingly balanced. Ground beef, smoky bacon, and a colorful variety of beans simmer together in a sweet-savory sauce made from brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, and spices.
It’s one of those rare “everyone loves it” meals. I’ve yet to meet someone who didn’t go back for seconds, and I’ve shared the recipe more times than I can count.
But here’s the real magic: it takes less than 10 minutes to throw together—especially if you keep cooked beef and pre-made bacon on hand. Add everything to the crockpot, turn it on, and walk away. By dinnertime, you’ve got a cozy, satisfying meal that tastes like you hovered over the stove all afternoon.
Perfect for busy nights, potlucks, game days, or when you need a slam-dunk dinner with zero fuss.
Tips & Tricks:
Use Pre-Cooked Bacon for Speed
High-quality pre-cooked bacon crumbles beautifully and cuts prep time significantly.
Taste Before Serving
The sweetness varies slightly depending on the beans. Adjust brown sugar and vinegar at the end to perfect the balance.
Make It a Meal
Serve with:
- Cornbread
- A green salad
- Baked potatoes
- Tortilla chips
- Garlic bread
Double It for Meal Prep
This chili reheats beautifully and thickens over time—amazing for lunches, leftovers, or freezer meals.
Thick or Thin? You Choose
- For a thicker chili: remove the lid the last 30 minutes.
- For a thinner consistency: add 1/2 cup broth.
Substitutions & Variations:
Protein Swaps
- Ground turkey or chicken
- Plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version (omit bacon)
- Add sausage for a richer flavor
Bean Swaps
Use any combination of:
- Pinto
- Navy
- Black beans
- Cannellini
- Borlotti
- Additional chili beans
Sweetness Level
- Reduce brown sugar for a more savory chili
- Add more catsup for tang
- Add honey or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile
To Add Heat
- 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)
- Sour cream (1/2 cup)
- A splash of heavy cream
Looking for More Delicious Chili Recipes?
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Sweet Chili
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground 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 Great Northern beans undrained
- 15 oz butter beans or cannellini beans undrained
- 15 oz chickpeas undrained
- 1/2 cup ketchup add more for extra tang
- 3/4 cup brown sugar adjust for sweetness
- 1 tbsp white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
- shredded cheddar or monterey jack cheese for topping
- sliced green onions for topping
Instructions
-
Brown ground beef with chopped onion; drain and transfer to crockpot.
-
Chop bacon and fry until browned (it will soften in the chili). Add to crockpot.
-
Add all beans and stir well.
-
In a small bowl, whisk together catsup, brown sugar, vinegar, and dry mustard.
-
Pour sauce mixture over chili and stir thoroughly.
-
Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6–8 hours.Oven method: Bake at 375°F for 90 minutes or until heated through.
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Serve with shredded cheese, green onions and additional bacon on top.
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