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 chili recipe gets its sweet-and-spicy flavor from chipotle peppers and a can of Dr. Pepper.
The post for sweet and spicy Dr. Pepper chili was first published in March 2014. The post and photos were updated and republished in February 2021.
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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 chili during the summer months.
I usually take the cheater chili approach. I open cans of beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato juice, and mix them in a crockpot with some cooked ground beef. Thankfully, my husband loves cooking, as my chili skills need improvement.
This Dr. Pepper chili is one of his best creations. He found a beer chili recipe online and modified it with soda and a few other ingredients to make it a family favorite.
The soda pop adds a sweet flavor to this chili, balancing 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 Needed
These are some quick notes on what you'll need to make a pot of chili. Scroll to the recipe card below the post for the full, printable recipe with amounts.
- Carrots, Red Peppers, Onions, and Garlic: Add texture and sweetness to the chili.
- Ground Beef: Feel free to substitute ground chicken, pork sausage, or steak for all 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: Add 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 use only half a can to keep it a little milder.
BruCrew Tip: Add a side salad and a pan of this skillet cornbread to make this easy stove-top chili a complete meal.
How To Make Dr. Pepper Chili
This is a brief overview of the chili prep. Continue to the bottom of the post for the printable recipe card.
- Sauté the chopped veggies until slightly softened. Add the ground beef and cook until done.
- Pour off the excess grease, then stir in the cornflour and spices, and cook for 1-2 more minutes.
- Add the remaining ingredients and stir over low heat for 20-30 minutes, or until slightly reduced and hot all the way through.
- Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Crock Pot Chili
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.
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 in soup.
- Sour Cream
- Shredded Cheese
- Diced Onions/Green Onions
- Chopped Cilantro
- Avocado Slices
- Fritos
BruCrew Tips
- If you are looking for a milder chili, add more diced bell peppers instead of the chipotle peppers.
- I don't recommend using Diet Dr. Pepper, as the artificial sweeteners add a different taste to the chili.
- The longer you cook chili, the better the flavors blend. Simmer it over low heat until it reaches the consistency you like. Be careful not to overcook it, as the beans get mushy.
Storing and Freezing
Chili gets better after sitting in the fridge overnight, so this is a great meal to make ahead of time.
- In the Refrigerator: Allow the hot chili to cool on the counter for an hour, then cover and refrigerate. To reheat, place the pot on low heat until it is hot, stirring often.
- In the Freezer: 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 in advance and place it in the refrigerator. Reheat in a pot over low to medium heat.
More Easy Soup Recipes
- Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Rice and Chicken Soup
- Potato Chowder
- Creamy Tomato Soup
- Pizza Soup
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Recipe
Dr. Pepper Chili
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 a large saucepan. Add the carrots, red pepper, and 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.
- 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: 346Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 470mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 5gSugar: 8gProtein: 25g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Heather Buchanan says
Hello, I was wondering if the can of kidney beans should be drained. Thanks!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
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) says
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 says
Let me know how you like it! 🙂
Annie says
I have never thought to make chili with Dr. Pepper--that's GENIUS! Bookmarking this! Thanks for sharing.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Annie! 🙂
Nancy says
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 says
It's so good, you need to convince him! 🙂 and if not, come on over!
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
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 says
Thanks Chelsea! 🙂
Kelly - Life made Sweeter says
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 says
Such crazy weather! Thanks Kelly! 🙂
Chloe @ foodlikecake says
I've never heard of putting Dr. Pepper in chili but that looks amazing!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Chloe! 🙂
Tieghan says
Oh this looks amazing!! Love chili!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Tiieghan! 🙂
Layla @ Brunch Time Baker says
Talk about Hearty! This Chili looks amazing!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Layla! 🙂
Chels R. says
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 says
Thanks Chels! 🙂
Graham @ Glazed & Confused says
Dr. Pepper in chili?! I'll take your word on that. Looks delicious!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Haha, thanks Graham!
Mary Frances says
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 says
I know, I'm the same! Stinkin weather! 😉 Thanks Mary Frances!
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion says
OMG! I love chili, it looks sooo delicious:)
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Ilona!
Karly says
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 says
Oh, please do! I promise, this is some good chili! And we can totally be cheaters together! 😉
Jenn @ Deliciously Sprinkled says
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 says
Thanks Jenn! 🙂
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
Dr. Pepper in chili? That has to be amazing! Love the thought. Pining!
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Melanie! 😉
Beth @ bethcakes says
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 says
Thanks Beth! 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
I think Dr. Pepper Chili may become my new favorite thing. It looks like perfection seriously.
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks girl! 🙂
LuAnn Braley says
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 says
Yay! I hope you loved this if you made it! 🙂
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
I love Dr. Pepper for pulled pork, so putting it in chili is genius! High five to your hubs
Jocelyn Brubaker says
Thanks Erin!