Who doesn't love a big ole bowl of Spicy Sweet Chili? Full of chili flavor with a hit of sweet brown sugar. This chili, made with lean ground beef and is finished off with shredded colby cheese, chopped avocado, and cilantro. Great served up with chips or cornbread for a delicious chili recipe on game-day!

Spicy sweet chili is a great way to warm up on a chilly day and is a great addition to your game day food line up.
This was inspired by my love for a sweet and spicy heat combination and this chili goes excellent with a side of this cornbread recipe!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love Sweet and Spicy Chili
Perfect Balance: The mix of spicy chili spices and a hint of brown sugar creates a perfect balance of heat and sweetness.
Quick & Easy: Made with ground beef, it's a simple recipe that's ready in no time.
Crowd-Pleaser: A hearty, flavorful dish that’s great for family dinners or game day gatherings.
Ingredients
This spicy sweet chili is made with pantry staples and lean ground beef. A delicious combination of chili spices and a touch of sweet brown sugar make this a meal that is irresistibly delicious.

- Lean ground beef
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Onion
- Garlic cloves
- Green bell pepper
- Brown sugar substitute
- Chili pepper flakes
- Chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Smoked paprika
- Petite diced canned tomatoes
- Tomato paste
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, cook beef, breaking up with a meat meat chopper, until well browned. Drain fat from skillet and discard.
- Add onion, garlic, green pepper, salt and pepper to the cooked beef and and cook for 3-5 minutes, until vegetables have softened.
- Using a wooden spoon, stir in chili powder, ground cumin, chili flakes, smoked paprika and brown sugar. Cook over heat for one minute, stirring constantly.
- Stir in the canned tomatoes, water, and tomato paste. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, uncovered.
- Serve topped with shredded colby cheese, chopped avocado, and chopped cilantro. (if using)
Hint: A meat chopper will break down the ground beef into perfect sized crumbles. I love this meat chopper from Faberware (affiliate link).
Substitutions
Whether you need to go lower fat or lower carb, there are substitutions you can make to this recipe that will suit your needs.Brown Sugar Substitute: Replace the brown sugar
- Ground Beef: Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. For a vegetarian option, try this meatless ground beef (affiliate link) made with textured vegetable protein in place of the meat.
- Brown Sugar: Replace the brown sugar with a substitute such as brown sugar truvia or golden monkfruit.
- Canned Tomatoes: if you have fresh tomatoes on hand, you can substitute 2 cups of finely diced tomatoes for the canned.
Variations
Make this sweet and spicy chili with a few different flavor twist that suit your tastebuds.
- Tex-Mex Chili: Add diced jalapeños, a handful of shredded cheddar cheese, and a dollop of sour cream to give the chili a bold Tex-Mex flair.
- Smoky Chipotle Chili: Add a teaspoon of chipotle powder or a chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce for a rich, smoky flavor.
Like beans in your chili? Try this spicy black bean chili version on my website!

Equipment
- Large pot
- Meat chopper
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Wooden spoon
Storage
Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days. For longer storage, store in the freezer up to 3 months.
Top tip
- For the best flavor, make the chili a day ahead to allow the spices to fully meld with the meat and tomatoes, creating a rich and hearty taste.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with spicy sweet chili:
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe

Spicy Sweet Chili Bowl
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- 2 large garlic cloves minced
- ½ medium green bell pepper chopped
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon chili pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 28 ounces petite diced canned tomatoes
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 2 cups water
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Chopped Cilantro
- Chopped Avocado
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, cook beef, breaking up with a meat meat chopper, until well browned. Drain fat from skillet and discard.
- Add onion, garlic, green pepper, salt and pepper to the cooked beef and and cook for 3-5 minutes, until vegetables have softened.
- Using a wooden spoon, stir in chili powder, ground cumin, chili flakes, smoked paprika and brown sugar. Cook over heat for one minute, stirring constantly.
- Stir in the canned tomatoes, water, and tomato paste. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, uncovered.
- Serve topped with shredded colby cheese, chopped avocado, and chopped cilantro. (if using)
Kat says
Yum! Hard to beat chili and cornbread on a cold night.
Grace says
It's been so cold here this chili would be great, warm me up inside and I am loving your cornbread. Isn't crazy holding off a good recipe because we can't seem to get that perfect pic. We all forget that when it comes down to it it's the taste that we all crave. Btw your pics are fab, you snapped a perfect pic, especially the melted cheese and the colour of the herb is so vibrant.
teresa says
i'm constantly being inspired by fellow bloggers, it's one of the best part about having a food blog!
this looks delicious, and the sound of that cornbread is divine!
SMITH BITES says
Lawd delivah me!! Swoon-WORTHY!!!
briarrose says
Brown sugar cornbread....oh yummy. I'm pretty sure that should be against the law. 😉 I do love a sweet cornbread.
Gera@SweetsFoodsBlog says
You've of best of the 2 worlds in the same package in the first dish swweet-spicy and the cornbread muffins wow - love all the menu 🙂
Have a great week!
Gera
Fallon says
Chocolate in the chili? That is amazing! What a wonderful looking meal.
Maria says
Love that cornbread recipe!
bellini valli says
This is no longer an "ugly duckling" food Shelby, it photographed beautifully. It also seems like it would taste good too!!!!
theUngourmet says
I know just what you...and Donna mean about the crummy food photos. Some dishes are so difficult! Wow! I've never tasted chili with chocolate. Very interesting! I'll have to give it a try. 😉 Have a wonderful week!
Flourchild says
I think this looks really good..I wonder what it would taste like with a Sees chocolate in it..ha ha!! I like the idea of chocolate and chili..it's sweet anyways, so Im sure chocolate would add a real good punch of flavor!
Thank you for sharing your Valentine tradition with me! Ilove that G. hides your gift!!
Lisa says
Wow, this looks like a really delicious dish. I think I'd enjoy that brown sugar cornbread.
Suzanne says
Wow, this looks sooooo YUM! Anything "chile", "chili" and says "cornbread" gets my vote. I'm definitely putting this one on the menu!
Jamie says
I know what you mean about delicious dishes that are hard to photograph. Bit your chili and cornbread look fantastic. I love the addition of chocolate to chili. Really gives it a deeper flavor. And I love corn bread. Can't wait to try both of these recipes. Thanks for sharing.
Pam says
The chili and the cornbread both have me craving some right now!
Carolyn says
For some reason, I can't photograph cookies very well. A good, uncontrived set-up for them eludes me! But I have to say, this souns delicious. I am a little in love with the chocolate/chili combo these days. And you did a great job photographing this, maybe Donna can borrow your pics 😉
Treehouse Chef says
Chocolate and Chili? Sounds very interesting. I will give this a try. I need more adventure in the kitchen. Thanks for sharing!
ann says
Yum. That sweet chili idea is so great. I am dying to try this.
vanillasugar says
ms shelby, hello. i must have this now.
lol
next time you make this, try baking the cornbread with the chili on top, almost like a bread bowl but a bread square pan. its to die for
Pegasuslegend says
Oh my, we just got done eating and this is making me want to make some more room to eat ! So yummy looking!