Sweetpea's Chili

Warm up your kitchen and your taste buds with Sweetpea's Chili, a hearty and flavor-packed recipe that's perfect for weeknight dinners or game day gatherings. This one-pot wonder begins with a savory base of browned ground beef (or turkey for a leaner twist) and sautéed veggies, followed by a comforting medley of canned tomatoes, two types of beans, and sweet corn for added texture. The rich blend of spices—chili powder, cumin, paprika, and a touch of cayenne—creates an irresistible depth of flavor, enhanced by a hint of brown sugar for balance. Ready in under an hour, this crowd-pleasing chili delivers bold, satisfying bites with minimal effort. Top it off with shredded cheddar, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for a customizable, restaurant-quality finish. Perfect for making ahead, reheating, or freezing, Sweetpea’s Chili is as versatile as it is delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 pound Ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium Green bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 28 ounces Canned diced tomatoes
• 15 ounces Canned tomato sauce
• 15 ounces Canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 ounces Canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup Frozen sweet corn
• 2 tablespoons Chili powder
• 1 tablespoon Ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons Ground paprika (smoked or sweet)
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground cayenne pepper (optional, for spice)
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Brown sugar
• 1 cup Water or beef broth
• 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
• 0.5 cup Shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
• 0.25 cup Sour cream (optional, for topping)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is browned and no longer pink. This should take about 5-6 minutes.

Step 3

Remove the ground beef with a slotted spoon and set it aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.

Step 4

Add the diced onion and green bell pepper to the pot. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 6

Return the cooked ground beef to the pot and stir to combine.

Step 7

Add the canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, black beans, and sweet corn to the pot. Stir well.

Step 8

Sprinkle in the chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, black pepper, and brown sugar. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices.

Step 9

Pour in the water or beef broth and stir again. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.

Step 10

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let the chili simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 11

Taste the chili and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or spices as needed.

Step 12

Once the chili has thickened to your liking, remove it from the heat.

Step 13

Ladle the chili into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro, shredded cheddar cheese, and a dollop of sour cream, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3454.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3346.5

Total Fat 180.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 65.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 9.5g
Cholesterol 468.7mg	0%
Sodium 8128.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 279.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 85.6g	0%
Total Sugars 74.5g
Protein 163.4g	0%

Vitamin D 43.8IU	0%
Calcium 1282.0mg	0%
Iron 42.6mg	0%
Potassium 8095.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.8%

Protein: 19.3%

Carbs: 33.0%