Sugar Or Other Sweetener In Chili?

dbCooper

Mrs.Cooper sent this article to me, planning to add some sugar next time we make a pot.  Wondering if others here add some sweetness to their chili?

https://www.thedailymeal.com/1156923/the-sweet-ingredient-you-should-be-adding-to-homemade-chili/

poster

Yup, always a little brown sugar. I do the same with pasta sauces.
Add it in earlier than later. I find if tossed in at the end, you can single out the brown sugar taste vs. if it cooks in there for a while.

Ozzie_Isaac

I added 1/4 teaspoon of brown sugar to chilli exactly one time.  My wife asked me what yankee chilli I had made.  3 lbs beef, equal amount of beans,corn and tomatoes along with cups of chilli powder.  Tossed the batch out.  She said she wanted dinner, not a dessert.

ColtsFan

I typically balance the acidity of tomato heavy sauces with a little sugar. Chili, marinara, etc. 

buzd504

Ozzie_Isaac said:

I added 1/4 teaspoon of brown sugar to chilli exactly one time.  My wife asked me what yankee chilli I had made.  3 lbs beef, equal amount of beans,corn and tomatoes along with cups of chilli powder.  Tossed the batch out.  She said she wanted dinner, not a dessert.

That's a 12 pound chili !

Ozzie_Isaac

buzd504 said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

I added 1/4 teaspoon of brown sugar to chilli exactly one time.  My wife asked me what yankee chilli I had made.  3 lbs beef, equal amount of beans,corn and tomatoes along with cups of chilli powder.  Tossed the batch out.  She said she wanted dinner, not a dessert.

That's a 12 pound chili !

Sorry, 3lbs of beans, tomatoes and corn total.

Legume

So she's against sugar because damn Yankees, but beans and corn ok?

lkapigian

For me, the only thing sweet that should go into chili is chocolate, preferably Mexican 

northGAcock

Might I recommend a tablespoon (or two) of honey. 

fishlessman

Ozzie_Isaac said:

I added 1/4 teaspoon of brown sugar to chilli exactly one time.  My wife asked me what yankee chilli I had made.  3 lbs beef, equal amount of beans,corn and tomatoes along with cups of chilli powder.  Tossed the batch out.  She said she wanted dinner, not a dessert.

You have not made my chili. It's too hot for you. Your ingredients are strange . My Yankee chili involse tossing onions over my shoulder for luck

Botch

Never liked sweet.  I don't put sugar in spaghetti/tomato sauces, and avoid Thai dishes that include sugar; I'm also the only guy here who doesn't like peach preserves on pork.  Just not for me.  
I love fruit, however; just not with my savory stuff.  

caliking

 A tsp or so of sugar balances out flavors of spices in Indian dishes I make, and balances the acidity of tomato sauces, as mentioned above.

I usually add the sugar when browning stuff in the beginning, or when making the sofrito, so it caramelizes a bit. 

Gulfcoastguy

I never add sugar to tomatoes or chili. I will add a little unsweetened chocolate to chili just before serving.

fishlessman

if you are going to add sugar to chili, you might as well go crazy and add beans and tomatoes as well......maybe ground turkey instead of beef, some sweet potatoes, green beans....... 

shtgunal3

Botch 
 I'm also the only guy here who doesn't like peach preserves on pork. 

Nope, you’re not the only one. I’m right there with you.