A pot of this Sweet and Spicy Dr. Pepper Chili is the perfect choice for winter days, chili cook-offs, or game day parties. The hearty and comforting chili recipe gets the sweet and spicy flavor from chipotle peppers and a can of Dr. Pepper.
Chili is one of the meals we eat the most during the winter months. Even the winter months in Florida get a little chilly. Occasionally, we even make a pot of this sweet and spicy chili or this Low Carb Keto Chili during the summer months.
Usually, I like to take what I call the cheater chili approach. You know the one right? Open 6 cans of beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato juice and throw it all in a crock pot along with some cooked ground beef. Haha! That's my way of doing dinner.
Thank goodness my husband loves creating and cooking dinners for us because my chili game could use some work.
This Sweet and Spicy Dr. Pepper Chili is one of his best creations. He found this Beer Chili online and modified the chili recipe with soda and a few other things to make this a family favorite.
The Dr. Pepper adds a sweet flavor to this chili to balance out the spice from the chipotle peppers. The peppers were actually my dinner idea contribution to the chili. Go me!
Spicy peppers pair so well with the sweet Dr. Pepper making this the best chili ever!!!
Ingredients in Dr. Pepper Chili recipe:
- Carrots, Red Peppers, Onions, and Garlic - gives the chili texture and sweetness
- Ground Beef - Feel free to substitute ground chicken, pork sausage, or steak in place of all of the meat or use a mixture of your favorites.
- Corn Flour - helps to absorb some of the grease from the cooked meat and thickens the chili
- Chili Powder, Oregano, Cumin, and Salt - adds flavor
- Brown Sugar - adds a little more sweetness to balance out the spicy peppers.
- Crushed Tomatoes - if you want a chunkier texture in the chili, use diced tomatoes instead
- Kidney Beans - you can also use pinto beans or black beans if you prefer
- Dr. Pepper - adds a sweet flavor
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce - Make sure to dice these peppers very well. They are extremely spicy, so you may want to only use half a can to keep it a little more mild.
Add a side salad and a pan of this Skillet Cornbread to make this easy stove top chili a complete meal.
How to make Sweet and Spicy Dr. Pepper Chili:
- Sauté the chopped veggies until slightly softened. Add the ground beef and cook until done.
- Pour off the excess grease, then stir in the corn flour and spices and cook for 1-2 more minutes.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and stir over low heat for 20-30 minute or until reduced slightly and hot all the way through.
- Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Toppings for Chili:
We like to eat our chili with cheese, sour cream, and corn chips. In our house it isn't chili unless those three toppings are served with it. Here are other ingredients we love on chili.
- Sour Cream
- Shredded Cheese
- Diced Onions/Green Onions
- Chopped Cilantro
- Avocado Slices
- Jalapeños
- Fritos
- Cheese-its
Recipe Questions:
Does chili get better if cooked longer?
The longer you cook chili, the better the flavors blend together. Simmer it over low heat until it is reduced down to the consistency you like. Be careful not to over cook it though, or the beans could get mushy.
What can you substitute for the chipotle peppers?
If you are looking for a milder chili, add more diced bell peppers instead of the chipotle peppers.
Can you use Diet Dr. Pepper in this recipe?
You can...but I do not recommend using diet because of the taste of the artificial sweeteners in it.
Can you make this chili in a crockpot?
Yes. Add the sautéd veggies and cooked meat to the slow cooker along with everything except the beans. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Remove the lid and add the drained beans 30 minutes before serving dinner.
Can this chili recipe be made ahead of time?
Yes it can. In fact, chili gets better after sitting in the fridge overnight, so this is a great meal to make ahead of time. Simply place the pot on low heat until it hot, stirring often.
Can chili be frozen?
It sure can. This recipe makes a pretty decent sized portion. You can freeze the extra chili in a freezer safe container or bag for 2-3 months. To thaw it, remove it from the freezer 24 hours ahead of time and place in the refrigerator. Reheat in a pot over low-medium heat.
More easy soup recipes:
- Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Rice and Chicken Soup
- Potato Chowder
- Creamy Tomato Soup
- Pizza Soup
Recipe
Dr. Pepper Chili recipe
A pot of this Sweet and Spicy Dr. Pepper Chili is the perfect choice for winter days, chili cook-offs, or game day parties. The hearty and comforting chili recipe gets the sweet and spicy flavor from chipotle peppers and a can of Dr. Pepper.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 red pepper, finely diced
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 4 Tablespoons corn flour (Masa)
- 2 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 Tablespoon cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 - 28 ounce cans crushed tomatoes
- 2 - 14 ounce cans kidney beans, drained
- 1 - 12 ounce can Dr. Pepper
- 1 - 7 ounce can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced finely (see note below)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in large sauce pan. Add the carrots, red pepper, onion, and saute for 5 minutes or until soft.
- Add the ground beef to the vegetables and cook for about 8-10 minutes or until completely brown. Make sure to break apart the meat as it cooks.
- Drain some of the excess grease off, if desired. Stir in the corn flour, chili powder, oregano, and cumin and cook 2-3 minutes longer.
- Stir in the salt, brown sugar, garlic, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, Dr. Pepper, and chipotle peppers.
- Heat over medium heat for 20-30 minutes until it is heated through and the flavors blend together.
- Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, and corn chips, if desired.
Notes
- Recipe adapted from A Spicy Perspective
- Chipotle peppers are very spicy. You may want to use half a can, so the chili isn't too spicy. You can also substitute bell peppers for the chipotle peppers.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 418Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 671mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 9gSugar: 12gProtein: 29g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*The post for Sweet and Spicy Dr. Pepper Chili was first published March 12, 2014. The post and photos were updated and republished February 22, 2021.
Heather Buchanan
Hello, I was wondering if the can of kidney beans should be drained. Thanks!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Hi, Heather. It is actually fine to do it either way. I have made it with the beans drained and without them drained. I hope you enjoy the chili!
shelly (cookies and cups)
We use beer in our chilli too, but now I am totally wondering WHY! Dr. Pepper is PERFECT!!! Can't wait to try this!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Let me know how you like it! 🙂
Annie
I have never thought to make chili with Dr. Pepper--that's GENIUS! Bookmarking this! Thanks for sharing.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Annie! 🙂
Nancy
We had chili today but not with Dr. Pepper in it. Although that sounds interesting, I'm not sure I could get my hubby to go along with that. I'll have to try it at your house one of these days. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
It's so good, you need to convince him! 🙂 and if not, come on over!
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron
Wishing I had this for dinner last night! Same thing happened here it was 65 degrees and then we got 5 inches of snow yesterday! This chili looks perfect and love dr. pepper addition! Pinned!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Chelsea! 🙂
Kelly - Life made Sweeter
Love the sound of this Dr. Pepper chili - it looks amazing! This winter has been brutal - we got one of the biggest snow storms of the season yesterday and the day before was t-shirt weather. A bowl of this comforting chili is just what our family needs too 🙂 Pinned.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Such crazy weather! Thanks Kelly! 🙂
Chloe @ foodlikecake
I've never heard of putting Dr. Pepper in chili but that looks amazing!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Chloe! 🙂
Tieghan
Oh this looks amazing!! Love chili!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Tiieghan! 🙂
Layla @ Brunch Time Baker
Talk about Hearty! This Chili looks amazing!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Layla! 🙂
Chels R.
Looks fantastic. We love chili-in fact we just had one of our favorites on Saturday. One I have yet to blog, haha!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Chels! 🙂
Graham @ Glazed & Confused
Dr. Pepper in chili?! I'll take your word on that. Looks delicious!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, thanks Graham!
Mary Frances
Our weather was the same! Crazy - messes with my head - I can't figure out what to wear! Thanks for helping me figure out what to eat though - I love Coke ham, so Dr. Pepper chili is right up my alley!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I know, I'm the same! Stinkin weather! 😉 Thanks Mary Frances!
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion
OMG! I love chili, it looks sooo delicious:)
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Ilona!
Karly
Totally agree that it's not chili if it doesn't include cheese, sour cream, and corn chips! Yum!
And my cheater pants version of chili involves a packet of chili seasoning (actually, we use it so much I have a Costco sized jar of it) a can of sauce, and pound of beef, cooked on the stove for 10 minutes. It's ridiculous what a cheater I can be.
This one though? This makes me want to live a little and experiment with a can of Dr. Pepper!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Oh, please do! I promise, this is some good chili! And we can totally be cheaters together! 😉
Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled
Putting Dr. Pepper in chili sounds like it makes for a delicious chili! Can't wait to try this chili recipe as it's cold and snowy here again! Pinned 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Jenn! 🙂
Melanie @ Carmel Moments
Dr. Pepper in chili? That has to be amazing! Love the thought. Pining!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Melanie! 😉
Beth @ bethcakes
I've never heard of or tried putting Dr. Pepper in chili but I bet it's amazing! That does sound like the perfect meal for a cold night. Hope your crazy winter starts to warm up soon!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Beth! 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
I think Dr. Pepper Chili may become my new favorite thing. It looks like perfection seriously.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks girl! 🙂
LuAnn Braley
I'm going to share with this recipe with my husband. I am sure a trip to the store will be in my future...today. :O)
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yay! I hope you loved this if you made it! 🙂
Erin | The Law Student's Wife
I love Dr. Pepper for pulled pork, so putting it in chili is genius! High five to your hubs
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Erin!