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Sugar Or Other Sweetener In Chili?

dbCooper
dbCooper Posts: 2,411
in Soups, Stews, Chilis
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?


LBGE, LBGE-PTR, 22" Weber, Coleman 413G
Great Plains, USA
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Comments

  • poster
    poster Posts: 1,218
    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.
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  • Ozzie_Isaac
    Ozzie_Isaac Posts: 20,495
    edited January 2023
    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.

    Maybe your purpose in life is only to serve as an example for others? - LPL


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  • ColtsFan
    ColtsFan Posts: 6,539
    I typically balance the acidity of tomato heavy sauces with a little sugar. Chili, marinara, etc. 
    ~ John - https://www.instagram.com/hoosier_egger
    XL BGE, LG BGE, Med BGE, BGE Chiminea, KJ Jr, PK Original, Ardore Pizza Oven
    Bloomington, IN - Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoosiers!

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  • buzd504
    buzd504 Posts: 3,855
    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 !
    NOLA
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  • Ozzie_Isaac
    Ozzie_Isaac Posts: 20,495
    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.

    Maybe your purpose in life is only to serve as an example for others? - LPL


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  • Legume
    Legume Posts: 15,173
    So she's against sugar because damn Yankees, but beans and corn ok?
    Love you bro!
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  • lkapigian
    lkapigian Posts: 11,115
    edited January 2023
    For me, the only thing sweet that should go into chili is chocolate, preferably Mexican 
    Visalia, Ca @lkapigian
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  • northGAcock
    northGAcock Posts: 15,171
    Might I recommend a tablespoon (or two) of honey. 
    Ellijay GA with a Medium & MiniMax

    Well, I married me a wife, she's been trouble all my life,
    Run me out in the cold rain and snow
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 33,389
    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
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • Botch
    Botch Posts: 16,199
    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.  
    ___________

    "When small men begin to cast big shadows, it means that the sun is about to set."

    - Lin Yutang


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  • caliking
    caliking Posts: 18,877
     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. 

    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
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  • Gulfcoastguy
    Gulfcoastguy Posts: 6,706
    I never add sugar to tomatoes or chili. I will add a little unsweetened chocolate to chili just before serving.
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 33,389
    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.......  =)
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • shtgunal3
    shtgunal3 Posts: 5,852
    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.

    ___________________________________

     

     LBGE,SBGE, and a Mini makes three......Sweet home Alabama........ Stay thirsty my friends .

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