It was a chilly fall evening, and I had just finished my weekly meal prep for the upcoming week - but something was missing. Then, with a flick of inspiration, I decided to make my own sweet and spicy chili with beer, perfect for the oppressive winter months yet to come. Armed with some pantry staples, an adventurous palate, and pure cooking enthusiasm, I embarked on a journey to acquire all the necessary ingredients, which aided me in creating what would become one of my most beloved vegan dishes ever! I made this Sweet, Spicy Chili in honor of the change of seasons. There is no other way to celebrate in style than with this Sweet, Spicy Chili with Beer. And not just any beer, Stout Beer.
Rich and bold, Sweet and Spicy Chili you’ll want to serve over and over again!
Chili is such a perfect dish for any weeknight evening. It doesn’t require much time to fix, and it’s a filling, healthy, and delicious meal to prepare. We think this Sweet, Spicy Chili is borderline comfort food.
About Chili Seasoning and good health
Spices of chili-like chili powder, cumin, and paprika enhance the acidity of the tomatoes, and they also offer a lot of health benefits. You benefit from filling fiber and protein when combining these spices in chili with beans. We build on that healthy foundation by using honey instead of processed sugar. Adding sugar to Chili is a great way to neutralize an acidic, overly spicy dish further. It shouldn't surprise you that we decided to take that to another level by using our honey instead. Honey adds a unique flavor, richness, and depth to this recipe, and so does beer.
This Chili is easy to make, delicious, and satisfying
How to Make Sweet and Spicy Chili with Beer
Put all the ingredients of this Sweet, Spicy Honey Chili in a slow cooker in the morning and return home to dinner. That said, this dish doesn’t take that long to prepare if you can't plan ahead. First thing when you get home from work, put all the ingredients in a pot and let it simmer for forty or so minutes, and you’ll have a delicious dish to share with your special people. More specifically:
- Place the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until onions are tender- about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for about a minute.
- Pour the beer into the pot, followed by the bouillon and tomato paste. Stir to combine.
- Add the black beans (liquid and all) and a whole can of tomatoes (including liquid). Stir to combine.
- Next, add the chili powder, cumin, and paprika. Stir to combine.
- Finally, add the veggie crumbles and give that a stir. Then pour in the honey and stir again.
- Bring the pot to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. Continue simmering until the liquid cooks down and you achieve the desired consistency, around 10 minutes.
- When ready, remove from heat and cool for a few minutes before pouring into serving bowls and topping with jalapeño slices.
The great thing is this Sweet and Spicy Chili gets even better with time. That means any leftovers will make wonderful additions to your lunch tomorrow! The bold flavor of this Sweet and Spicy Honey Chili is worth coming back to.
Unique Chili Recipes are all the rage.
We are makers. Elizabeth Gilbert says this in her book Big Magic. We have been making and creating art, tools, food, and more since our earliest days. So, connect with the maker inside of you by changing this and creating your unique chili recipes with these ingredients and more. Make it your own. It’s always good to get some ideas, so here are some ideas for changing this recipe:
- Make some easy pickled onions to serve on top.
- Add some chopped green or red bell peppers to the chili before cooking.
- Try serving this dish with our kale salad; it's a perfect match!
- Serve with this delicious Southern Cornbread.
- Get spicier by adding some hot sauce before serving.
- Top your finished bowl with a scoop of sour tofu cream and fresh avocado.