Dr. Pepper Chili has just the right balance of sweet and spicy and is sure to be a hit on game day. Serve up a warm bowl with sour cream, onion, and fresh cilantro or use it as a topping for hot dogs or a dip for fritos. Any way you eat Dr. Pepper Chili, it’s a hearty and satisfying meal.
I feel a little odd talking about a cold weather food since we spent the day on the beach with about 80 degree weather. The kids didn’t have school today so we are spending a long weekend in Beaufort, SC. You can take a peak at my Instagram for a glimpse of what we have been doing. (Note: Originally posted October 24, 2014.)
What Flavor Does Dr Pepper Give Chili?
Dr. Pepper is hands down my favorite soft drink and it works well in a variety of recipes like Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce. Dr. Pepper really adds some great flavor to this chili and the sweetness of it helps balance the spice and smokiness of chipotle chilis. It really is such a great chili recipe.
Made with lean ground beef, Dr. Pepper Chili is a comforting, filling meal that is also healthy and nutritious. It pairs wonderfully with Honey Cornbread and a beer.
Toppings For Chili
The more toppings the better in my opinion. Some great toppings for this chili are diced avocado, sour cream, sliced black olives, chopped fresh cilantro, shredded cheddar cheese, diced red onion, and pickled jalapeno slices.
Variations and Substitutions
- Sub ground turkey for ground beef.
- Use Coca Cola in place of Dr Pepper.
- Leave out the beans.
- Use green bell pepper in place of red bell pepper.
Be sure to try this Dr Pepper Pulled Pork as well.
Watch the short video below to see how easy this chili is to make:
Dr. Pepper Chili
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 (12-ounce) can Dr. Pepper
- 1 (14-ounce) can fire-roasted tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- sour cream, red onion, cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add ground beef. Cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until about halfway cooked. Add onion and red bell pepper and continue to cook until vegetables are softened. If there is excess grease, you can remove it with a spoon before proceeding.
- Add chili powder, cumin, salt, oregano, and garlic powder and cook for 30 seconds while stirring.
- Add chicken broth, Dr. Pepper, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chipotle chilis, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to mix well. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes or until chili has thickened to your liking. Add kidney beans.
- Serve with sour cream, red onion, and cilantro.
Notes
Nutrition
Want to Save This Recipe?
Originally posted October 24, 2014.
Has anyone tried this recipe with ground turkey?
Can you use beef broth instead of chicken?
omg!!! so good , won the chili cookoff at work ! nom nom nom!!!!
if i dont win im reporting you
My college roommate and I decided to try to make this. Most unique and best chili I’ve ever had!
My college roomate and i decided to try to make this. Most unique and best chili I’ve ever had!
I wanted to make something special for my husband after being gone for two weeks on a work trip. He LOVES Dr. Pepper so I googled recipes using Dr. Pepper and found this one. I made it for him last night and we both loved it! Probably some of the best chili I have ever had and so easy to make too. I will double up the recipe next time just so we have more leftovers because there weren’t any last night when we were done. The only thing I did different was use black eyed peas upon the husband’s request. Do yourself a favor and make this!!!
So happy you and your husband enjoyed it Heather!
Could Diet Dr. Pepper be used instead of the regular Dr. Pepper?
Yes, I think you could use Diet Dr Pepper.
I never write reviews for recipes, but I just made this chili and it is so damn good I just need to for this one before I get up for a second serving. I’ve always wanted to make a Dr Pepper chili but never remember to when I get in the mood for some. I’m glad I did today tho! I was slightly hesitant when grocery shopping for it, considering every chili I’ve ever made required garlic, jalapeños, bay leaves, red chili flakes… so, I was nervous I would miss those flavors I’m so used to. But nope, not in the slightest bit. The smoky spiciness of the adobo chipotles (I used 6 instead of 4 because why not) with the complexities of a Dr Pepper was outstanding.
The only thing I had done differently was used cannellini beans instead of kidney, since they were already in my cupboard and I tend to like them a bit more anyway. Also, I used two cans instead of one, just since I like my chili to look full and hearty and found the one can to be too scant.
Overall, this will be my go to chili recipe from now on and I will be recommending it to every one I know. Thank you for sharing!
Wow Debra! I’m so glad you liked this recipe. There’s something about the Dr. Pepper that really gives the chili great flavor isn’t there?
Oh, I can just taste all the flavors in here — I love the sound of the spiciness with that Dr. Pepper! This look like one flavorful, hearty bowl of chili!
Never would have thought to use a can of dr. pepper in chili before! I am SO curious to know what this chili tastes like now..
Dr. Pepper would be perfect in chili!! LOVE that idea!! 🙂
This chili looks so hearty and comforting! I love the idea of adding Dr. Pepper too! Sweet and spicy is where it’s at and this sounds incredible!
Comfort in a bowl!!!
You know I’ve never thought to put Dr. Pepper in chili but now that I’m drooling all over the keyboard at yours, I think it could be brilliant lol. Just the right balance of savory and sweet. 😀 Pinning!
Loving the sound of this chili, Christin! I’ll bet the Dr. Pepper adds an amazing flavor! Sweet ‘n ‘spicy is one of my favorite flavor combos. 🙂
Looks like my kind of chili! Bet the whole family would enjoy it.
Pinned.
Have a great day!
Thank you Melanie! Hope you have had a wonderful weekend!
Looks delicious!
Thank you 🙂
This chili looks so delicious. I love the addition of Dr. Pepper! So inventive!
Sweet and spicy chilli! Looks so good! Yummy 🙂