Pineapple Chili

Name: Pineapple Chili with Ground Beef
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 10 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (80/20); 1/2 medium yellow onion; 1 green bell pepper; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1/4 cup beef broth; 1 tbsp tomato paste; 4 tbsp chili powder, divided; 1 tbsp onion powder; 1 tbsp paprika; 1 tbsp garlic powder; 1 tbsp Italian seasoning; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes; 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes; 1 (15.5 oz) can dark red kidney beans; 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks in juice; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1/4 tsp Chinese five-spice powder; 1 small bar dark chocolate; 1 tbsp peanut butter

This pineapple chili combines ground beef, beans, and tomatoes with pineapple juice and soy sauce to create a uniquely balanced chili with sweet, savory, and tangy layers.

🌍American 🏷️Chili 🏷️Pineapple chili 🏷️Beef chili 🏷️Ground beef 🏷️Sweet and savory

🏷️Comfort food

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TikTok

Total

4h 10m

Servings

8

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$37–$61

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef (80/20)
1/2 medium yellow onion
1 green bell pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup beef broth
1 tbsp tomato paste
4 tbsp chili powder, divided
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
1 (15.5 oz) can dark red kidney beans
1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks in juice
2 tbsp soy sauce
1/4 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
1 small bar dark chocolateoptional
1 tbsp peanut butteroptional

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Instructions

1
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat.
2
Add the diced onion and bell pepper and sauté until softened.
3
Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned.
4
Stir in a splash of beef broth and the tomato paste.
5
Add 2 tablespoons of chili powder, onion powder, paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
6
Pour in the fire-roasted tomatoes, petite diced tomatoes, and kidney beans (with their liquid).
7
Drain the can of pineapple, reserving the juice. Add about half of the pineapple chunks to the pot.
8
Bring the chili to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 2 hours.
9
After 2 hours, stir in the soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of the reserved pineapple juice.
10
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of chili powder and stir to combine.
11
Continue to simmer on low for another hour.
12
Stir in the Chinese five-spice powder. Be careful not to add too much.
13
Let the chili simmer for one final hour to allow all the flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed before serving.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Build flavor layers by blooming chili powder in oil before adding beef; toast the spice blend briefly to heighten aromatics.
Add pineapple juice in the final 15 minutes of simmering so its brightness doesn't cook off; taste and adjust sweetness with a splash more juice if needed.
Use 80/20 ground beef for enough fat to carry flavors; leaner beef can taste dry in slow-simmered chili.
Stir in tomato paste early and let it caramelize slightly in the oil before adding broth to deepen savory notes.

Substitutions

ground beef → ground pork or turkey (note: pork adds sweetness; turkey is leaner, so use 85/15 or add 1 tsp oil)
green bell pepper → red bell pepper (sweeter, less grassy)
soy sauce → Worcestershire sauce or tamari (1:1 ratio)
beef broth → chicken broth or vegetable broth (flavor will be lighter; add 1 tsp more tomato paste for depth)

Storage & make-ahead

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months; reheat gently on stovetop over low heat with a splash of broth to restore consistency.

Common Questions

Why add pineapple juice to chili?

Pineapple juice adds natural sweetness and acidity that deepens the savory spices and balances the heat, creating complexity without adding sugar.

Can I use canned pineapple instead of juice?

Canned pineapple in juice works; drain and blend or chop finely, then use the juice as part of your liquid. Canned chunks may break down too much during simmering.

How long should this chili simmer?

Simmer for at least 30–45 minutes to allow spices and pineapple to infuse into the beef and beans; longer simmering (up to 2 hours) develops deeper flavor.

Can I make this ahead?

Yes. Chili improves with time; make up to 2 days ahead, refrigerate covered, and reheat gently on low heat, adding a splash of broth if it thickens too much.