Chili with Pineapple

This Chili with Pineapple and Bacon recipe is simple to make and tastes great, with only 7 ingredients. On the table in less than 30 minutes!

The amazing flavor in this Bacon Pineapple Chili is so good, and quick, easy, and healthy. Add pineapple for a Hawaiian twist on f comfort food favroite. You can even cook in in the slow cooker.

Chili with Pineapple

Chili is a savory dish that is typically made with beef, beans, and a variety of spices. It’s often made with chicken, too. This time we added pineapple, that adds a nice sweetness to the main dish. One thing I love about making homemade chili is enjoying the aroma–getting all the toppings together, and letting the anticipation build, while the family smells the delicious chili simmering on the stove. Anticipation is good, right?

Why we love this recipe

• The flavor of this chili soup is fresh and a soul-warming meal. Add sweet potatoes for even more sweetness and contrast.
• Dinner is on the table in 30 minutes.
• It pairs so well with cornbread, cheesy potato bread, or served on a Chili Charcuterie Board.

Ingredients to buy

• Onion
• Uncured apple smoked bacon: cooked and chopped
• White Chili Beans with mild chili sauce: we buy Bush’s Beans because they have a nice flavor to them
• Pineapple salsa or pineapple mango salsa: You can also add use regular salsa and add fresh pineapple
• Chili powder + cumin + salt
• Fresh cilantro

How to make chili even better

Chili is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of ingredients. Some add beer for a more malty flavor, but you can also add chocolate, coffee, and cinnmon. Read more tips below!

How do you make pineapple chili?

1. In a large skillet on medium heat, fry the bacon for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the chopped onion. Stir until bacon is cooked and onion is soft. Drain off the bacon fat (you can leave a couple tablespoons in the pan for more flavor).
2. Right to the pan (with bacon fat), add the 2 cans of chili beans (do not drain), salsa, cumin and chili powder. Mix together; salt to taste.
3. Heat on medium low for about 15 minutes.
4. Stir in chopped cilantro. Serve!

What toppings do you serve with chili?

We created this simple chili recipe years ago–with pineapple and bacon, cilantro and cumin and chili powder–when we were in a crunch for time. Guests were coming for dinner, and it turned into one of our favorite meals.

Set our your favorite toppings, such as chopped red onions and tomatoes, sour cream, hot sauce, and more fresh cilantro.

Tips and substitutions:

• Swap out the white chili beans for black beans or pinto beans.
• Feel free to add more protein: ground beef or chicken or turkey, or rotisserie chicken or chicken thighs
• Add in more flavor with onions, garlic, green peppers, corn, and tomatoes.
• For a kick, add in more chili powder and cumin – plus you can add jalaepnos, habaneros, or crushed red pepper flakes.
• If you prefer an umami flavor, add a few dashes of soy sauce or liquid aminos.
• For a bright acidity, add vinegar or brine from a jar of pickled jalapenos, or squeeze a couple oranges (fresh orange juice) at the end of the cooking process.
• Want a richer flavor? Add peanut butter, molasses, chocolate, or coffee.
• Have you ever added olives to chili? I grew up eating chli with sliced black olives.
• Add honey, beer, or even whiskey to step it up a notch.
• Grill the pineapple: You can use the pineapple salsa, or you can grill pineapple to add – it’s really good!

How to serve Bacon Chili with Pineapple

It’s also the meal that keeps on giving, as in it’s easy to keep adding beans to the recipe to stretch it, if more guests show up!

Have you ever had that happen? We have! :)

Set out the toppings with some good side breads, cornbread, or chips!

Leftovers are delicious the next day–if you have any!

ENJOY!

More chili recipes you may want to try:

Salsa Chili

Chicken Enchilada Pasta

White Bean Chicken Chili

Easy Homemade Chili

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Chili with Pineapple (and Bacon)

This Chili with Pineapple and Bacon recipe is simple to make and tastes great, with only 7 ingredients. On the table in less than 30 minutes!

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Yield: 4

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Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• ½ onion, chopped
• 12 oz. bacon, uncured apple smoked bacon, cut in small pieces
• 2 cans White Chili Beans with mild chili sauce, do not drain
• 2 cups pineapple salsa, or pineapple mango salsa or regular salsa (but add grilled or fresh pineapple separate)
• 1-2 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. cumin
• Salt, to taste
• ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

 

• In a large skillet on medium heat, fry the bacon for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the chopped onion. Stir until bacon is cooked and onion is soft. Drain off the bacon fat (or leave about 2 Tbsp in the pan for extra flavor).
• Add the 2 cans of chili beans (do not drain), salsa, cumin, and chili powder. Mix together; salt to taste.
• Heat on medium low for about 15 minutes.
• Stir in chopped cilantro. Serve!

Toppings:

• Add these toppings: Chopped red onions or green onions, sour cream, more salsa, chopped tomatoes, black olives, jalapenos, chips.

Notes

Reposted from January 2016.

Cuisine: Mexican

Course: Main Course

Author: Sandy / Reluctant Entertainer

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