Smoked Chili

It's CHILI SEASON! Hallelujah. I really love a good chili- ALL CHILI'S. We've taken chili up a notch and SMOKED this bad boy. That's right, SMOKED CHILI with bacon and all the goods. Don't worry, if you don't have a smoker I'm giving you some tips and tricks on how to make it a smokey chili without a smoker.

WHAT INGREDIENTS FOR THE BEST SMOKED CHILI

• 2 LB's ground chuck
• chili beans and canned diced tomatoes
• jalapeno (or can substitute with green bell pepper)
• cooked bacon
• garlic, onions and celery
• sweet potato (optional!)

HOW TO MAKE SMOKED CHILI

Start by chopping all your ingredients to bite sized pieces or smaller.

HOW DO I MAKE MY CHILI NOT SPICY?

Did you know the larger the jalapeño the less spicy it will be? Also make sure you take out all the seeds and cut off the rinds inside. If you still would prefer not to have a jalapeño substitute it with green bell pepper. It will give you the flavor without the spice.

1. Heat up a large dutch oven (SEE BELOW FOR SMOKER INSTRUCTIONS) and add a little bit of bacon grease or olive oil. Sauce your onions, garlic and jalapeño in the olive oil until the onions are translucent.
2. Add in your cooked bacon (chopped or crumbled) and sweet potatoes. Saute for a few minutes.
3. Add in your cooked ground chuck
4. Dump in your canned tomatoes (with juice!)
5. Pour in your chili beans (don't drain either!)
6. Add in some water or beef broth

You'll want to cook your chili until all the vegetables are soft. Let the chili simmer for at least 20-30 minutes so all the flavors merry together.

HOW TO COOK CHILI ON A SMOKER

There are two ways you can smoke your chili. Method number 1 is much faster and easier, and you still get a nice smokey flavor to your chili. But, if you prefer, or only have a smoker available for cooking chili it can be done! So I'm including both instructions

SMOKED CHILI METHOD #1 (preferred method)

• Follow directions 1-6 on your stove top and then smoke on your smoker for 1 hour at 225. Stiring occasionally

SMOKED CHILI METHOD #2

1. Preheat your smoker and dutch oven to 350. Add the olive oil, onion, garlic, jalapeño. Close the lid and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions and peppers are soft, about 10-12 minutes.
2. Add the ground chuck and break it up. Cover again with lid and let cook for about 10 minutes until done.
3. Add in remaining ingredients. Stir until combined and cover. Let smoke for 20 minutes. For more smokey flavor reduce to "smoke" setting and let smoke for 1 hour.

CAN I MAKE SMOKEY CHILI WITHOUT A SMOKER?

YES! The bacon alone adds a nice smokey flavor, but for more added flavor you can grab some liquid smoke at the store! It comes in a little bottle like this.

WHAT DO I TOP THE CHILI WITH?

• Sour cream or greek yogurt
• shredded cheese
• cilantro
• chives or green onions
• more crispy bacon
• crackers or cornbread!

WHAT DO I SERVE CHILI WITH?

Of course I'm going to suggest a classic sweet cornbread. This is my favorite recipe I grew up with, SWEET CORNBREAD. We also have a delicious savory cheesy cornbread that is amazing CORNBREAD MUFFINS.

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Smoked Chili

We’ve taken chili up a notch and SMOKED this bad boy. That’s right, SMOKED CHILI with bacon and all the goods.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: dinner

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 363kcal

Author: Kadee & Desarae

Ingredients

chili

• ▢ 2 cans chili beans
• ▢ 2 lb ground chuck cooked
• ▢ 28 ounces diced tomatoes
• ▢ 10 pieces of crispy bacon crumbled
• ▢ 1 jalapeños minced
• ▢ 2 celery stalks chopped
• ▢ 4 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 1 onion diced
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon salt
• ▢ 3 cups water or beef broth
• ▢ 2 cup sweet potatoes optional
• ▢ 2 Tablespoon Liquid Smoke if no smoker only

Garnishes

• ▢ sour cream
• ▢ Shredded Cheese
• ▢ cilantro
• ▢ green onions or chives
• ▢ extra bacon

Instructions

• In a dutch oven brown bacon, set aside
• Removed bacon and sauté celerey jalapeños, garlic and onion in a small amount of bacon grease.
• When onions are translucent add in sweet potatoes and bacon saute for a few more minutes.
• Add cooked ground chuck, beans, tomatoes and broth. Bring to a boil and move to smoker.
• If using stove-top and no smoker add liquid smoker, bring to a simmer for 20-30 mins. If using a crockpot, cook on low for up to 5-6 hours.
• If smoking preheat to 225 and smoke for at least an 1 hour.

Notes

PRESURE COOKER: Follow instructions above except brown ingredients in open pot on any setting. When ready to cook, lock lid in place and set to soup setting. Quick release, garnish with toppings.

SMOKED CHILI METHOD #1 (preferred method) 

• Follow directions 1-6 on your stove top and then smoke on your smoker for 1 hour at 225. Stiring occasionally 

SMOKED CHILI METHOD #2

1. Preheat your smoker and dutch oven to 350. Add the olive oil, onion, garlic, jalapeño. Close the lid and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions and peppers are soft, about 10-12 minutes.
2. Add the ground chuck and break it up. Cover again with lid and let cook for about 10 minutes until done. 
3. Add in remaining ingredients. Stir until combined and cover. Let smoke for 20 minutes. For more smokey flavor reduce to "smoke" setting and let smoke for 1 hour. 

CAN I MAKE SMOKEY CHILI WITHOUT A SMOKER?

YES! The bacon alone adds a nice smokey flavor, but for more added flavor you can grab some liquid smoke at the store! It comes in a little bottle like this. 

Nutrition

Calories: 363kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 1291mg | Potassium: 669mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3203IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 3mg

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