beef chili Archives

There are as many variations of Over The Top smoked chili as there are variations of ‘regular’ chili. Often referred to as OTT chili, the basic idea is that you smoke a ground beef mixture over a pot of chili mixings, such as tomatoes, beans (oh no! I used beans!), etc. As the beef cooks some of the fat drips into the chili pot, adding flavor. And of course the smoked beef picks up on some smoke flavor, too.

This is how I make it. I won’t ever make it any other way. I don’t need to. This is amazingly good chili.

One of my biggest concerns with the idea of Over the Top smoked chili was that the beef drips into the chili as it smokes. I knew I wanted some of that fat (fat is flavor!) in the chili but I didn’t want a lot of it floating on top of my chili. Some recipes call for using low-fat (90/10 or even 95/5) beef. Well, that’s expensive. So my solution? Use cheaper ground beef and par-smoke it first. Let much of the fat drip down into a pan, not into the chili. Then add the chili and let the remaining fat drip into it. Problem solved.

I went very light on the smoke when I made this. I used just a small chunk or two of fruit wood. Ground beef loves to soak up smoke and I didn’t want that flavor to bury the taste of what is a fantastic chili base.

Weber Pecan Wood Chunks, for Grilling and Smoking, 4 lb.

Weber Apple Wood Chunks, for Grilling and Smoking, 4 lb.

Weber Cherry Wood Chunks, for Grilling and Smoking, 4 lb.

I used my 5-quart camp Dutch oven, but any other Dutch oven or large pot will do.

Also try my prime rib chili.

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5 from 1 vote

Over The Top Smoked Chili

This is amazingly good chili.

Course Main

Cuisine American

Keyword chili, smoked

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 4 15

Servings

Calories 381kcal

Author Inspired by a recipe from Erica’s Recipes

Equipment

Smoker
Dutch oven 5-quart

Ingredients

For the beef mixture (The Top)

2 ½ pounds ground beef You do not have to use lean, 80/20 and even 75/25 is fine
2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Montreal steak seasoning
2 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

For the tomato mixture (The Bottom)

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 large sweet onions diced
3 large green bell peppers diced
4 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon chili powder plus a little more if you prefer
2 teaspoon cumin
28 ounces crushed tomatoes
28 ounces petite diced tomatoes
15.5 ounces light red kidney beans rinsed and drained

Instructions

For the beef mixture (The Top)

Fire up your smoker for cooking 250-300 F. Use a lighter wood such as fruit wood for smoke.
Note: You can get the beef mixture prepared and onto the smoker while preparing the tomato mixture. Since the beef smokes a bit first, you don't have to have the tomato base ready at the beginning.
Place all ingredients into a large bowl. Using your hands, combine the ingredients and form into a loaf.
Transfer the loaf to the top rack of your smoker.
Optional: Place a disposable pan underneath to catch any drippings. I do this only to make cleanup easier. If the drippings will directly onto hot coals or a hot surface, you may want to catch them in a pan so they don't burn.
Smoke the loaf for 1 hour – 1 1/2 hours to cook out some of the fat. It's up to you how much fat you want to remove, just remember that you want some of that fatty flavor in the final chili so don't completely cook the loaf.
Remove the disposable pan (if using) and replace it with the pot of the tomato mixture.
Continue smoking another 3 minutes – 1 hour or until the beef loaf has reached 155 F.
Remove the loaf and chop into small bite-sized crumbles. Transfer to the tomato mixture and stir.
Smoke another 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the chili is your desired consistency.
Serve!

For the tomato mixture (The Bottom)

Heat the oiil in a large (6-quart) Dutch oven over medium high heat.
Add the onion and bell pepper and saute 5 minutes or until the onion is just starting to soften.
Add the garlic, stir and saute another 1 minute.
Remove from heat and stir in the remaining ingredient. Set aside until ready to transfer to the smoker.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Whoa baby buckle up, because you’re in for some mighty good Texas-style chili! Heavily seasoned, this chili made a cold (and I do mean cold!) winter day a distant memory. The broth is crazy good. No one will judge you if you’d just pick up your bowl and drink it straight.

This Texas-style chili screams for cornbread. Make a double-batch of your favorite cornbread recipe and get ready for some delicious dunking. I recommend Fat Johnny’s cheesy cornbread.

Although I’m sure you’d get arrested for it in Texas, you could add kidney beans to this Texas-style chili. I’m just saying that you could. I don’t think you could call it Texas-style any more. They’re pretty particular about that whole beans-in-chili thing in Texas.

For a really nice twist, use 2 pounds of ground beef and 2 pounds of Italian sausage instead of a full 4 pounds of beef. Again, I’m quite sure you’d get arrested for making this change in the state of Texas. I recommend doing it in the privacy of your own home. Perhaps with the curtains drawn and the lights off.

I make this chili in my Dutch oven. Something about a Dutch oven makes any chili just better.

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Also try my smoked brisket Texas chili and my three meat, two bean chili.

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5 from 1 vote

Texas-style Chili

Whoa baby buckle up, because you’re in for some mighty good Texas-style chili! Heavily seasoned, this chili made a cold (and I do mean cold!) winter day a distant memory.

Course Main

Cuisine American

Keyword chili

Cook Time 4

Total Time 4 10

Servings

Calories 547kcal

Ingredients

4 lbs ground beef
4 ounces fire-roasted diced jalapenos drained
2 14.5 ounce beef broth
2 14.5 ounce chicken broth
15 ounces tomato sauce

Spice Dump # 1

6 tablespoons chili powder
4 teaspoons onion powder
4 cubes beef bouillon
4 cubes chicken bouillon
1 teaspoon cayenne
½ teaspoon garlic powder

Spice Dump # 2

½ cup chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin or less, to taste
3 teaspoons garlic powder
½ teaspoons cayenne
¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
¼ teaspoon brown sugar

Instructions

Brown the beef in a large Dutch oven. Drain.
Add the jalapenos, beef broth, chicken broth and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and stir in everything from Spice Dump #1. Let simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Stir in everything from Spice Dump #2 and continue simmering for another 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Serve hot with your favorite chili garnishes.

Nutrition

Nutritional values are approximate.

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Tag: beef chili

Over The Top Smoked Chili