'Over the Top' Chili (smoked ground meat over chili base)

ToddFrench · December 5, 2025, 4:52am

Wow, shocked you get only ‘marginal’ flavor - the whole family was wowed by the smoke flavor on ours…

Andrew_Kotowski · December 5, 2025, 5:08am

Not arguing that it tastes great; just saying I like the browned/caramelized meat flavor more. Also great to make using chopped brisket, which can impart a similar flavor profile.

ToddFrench · December 5, 2025, 5:09am

@K_John_Joseph has been known to use baby back rib meat in his chili, and that, smoked, is a life goal for me in a future recipe

Stan_Y · December 5, 2025, 11:34am

For anyone who wants some smoke in their chili but doesn’t have a smoker, I always add a can of chipotles to mine. That and a big jar of hatch chiles give it a nice kick as well.

Edit: Plus a big can of Bianco Dinapoli fire roasted chopped tomatoes. More smoke! And some texture from the larger chunks.

Joe_Dulworth · December 8, 2025, 4:03pm

I didn’t make this. Made my a local BBQ food truck. Smoked brisket chili. In these two versions we have a Frito Pie and a stuffed baked potato. You can obviously get it in a bowl solo. He also makes it into a smash burger.

CJ_Beazley · December 10, 2025, 9:08pm

Variation on the theme-I put my beans under my pork shoulder to catch them drippings;