Sweet Chili

“A really great meal, and another of my favorites…if you use fresh beans. On the llama trip to Wind Lakes in 2009, I found some beans in the back of the cupboard. They were probably 10 years old…maybe an exaggeration…maybe not. I cooked those crazy beans in this Sweet Chili recipe all afternoon and early evening and they were still hard, probably 5 hours of cooking. Dad and I didn’t break any teeth…and it tasted good…but I learned my lesson. 🙂 Again this recipe is for a 12″ dutch, cut in half for just 2-3 people and a 10″ dutch. Another Uncle Byron website recipe.” – Papa J

Sweet Chili

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 6 cups dry red or pinto beans
  • 2 large yellow onions; diced
  • 8 cloves garlic; minced
  • 1 lb bacon; cubed
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • hot water to cover beans
  • 2 32 oz cans stewed tomatoes
  • 1-2 cups honey
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp cloves
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1-2 tsp tabasco (optional)

  1. Brown beef in a well oiled dutch using 18-20 briquettes bottom.

  2. Add beans, onion, garlic, uncooked bacon, salt, pepper and enough hot water to cover beans

  3. Cover and simmer for 1-2 hours or until beans are tender, adding water as necessary.

  4. Stir in tomatoes, honey and remaining seasonings.

  5. Cover and continue to simmer for 1 hour.