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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Easy Smoked Chili Recipe

    Published: Mar 5, 2022 · Modified: Jun 21, 2022 by Jeri Walker · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Smoked chili in a casserole dish with sliced jalapeno pepper on top.

    Do you know what's better than a bowl of chili? Smoked Chili! This easy Smoked Chili Recipe is hearty and chock full of flavor with just enough smoky twist to make it unforgettable! It'll warm you up on those cold winter days and satisfy your hunger any time of year - especially game days. Top off your bowl full of deliciousness by adding anything from avocado slices to shredded cheese.

    PIN the recipe to try it later!

    Smoked chili served in small casserole dishes, topped with sliced jalapeno peppers. this …

    Whether you're cooking in your backyard or on a camping trip, smoking your chili will give it an incredible depth of flavor! I took my classic chili recipe and put a spin on it to make this the best chili ever!

    Smoking food is a great way to add flavor and complexity to any dish. Almost everything tastes better on the smoker, like Smoked Macaroni and Cheese. The smoky flavor will tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting more.

    This smoked chili is even better than classic chili because the smoke adds great flavor that you can't get with regular chili. The smokiness pairs well with the spicy, earthy flavors in the chili, and it's sure to please even your pickiest eaters.

    I feel this is the best chili I have ever made. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your liking. You can use different types of meat, vegetables, or beans. You can also add other spices to give the chili a more complex flavor. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients to find the perfect smoked chili recipe for you.

    This smoked chili recipe is the perfect meal for cold days. It's sure to warm you up and fill you up, too! So, if you're looking for a delicious and easy chili recipe, be sure to try this smoked version!

    👩🏻‍🍳 More smoker recipes

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    Jump to:
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 More smoker recipes
    • ❓ Why smoke chili?
    • ❤️ Why you will love this recipe
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 💨 How to make smoked chili
    • 🧾 Substitutions
    • 🍲 How to serve smoked chili
    • 🥗 What side dishes to serve with chili
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🍽Equipment
    • 🌡️ Storage
    • 💭 Top tips for making this smoked chili recipe
    • ❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
    • 🧾 More recipes to try
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 📑 Food safety

    ❓ Why smoke chili?

    Now that I have smoked chili on the smoker, I think it is the perfect method to make it.

    If you are looking for an extra kick in your dish, then smoking is the way to go! The delicious smoky flavor elevates the flavor profile.

    The chili gets slow-cooked on the pellet grill, giving it lots of time for the flavors of the spices to meld together, making it even more delicious.

    ❤️ Why you will love this recipe

    • This chili is FULL of flavor. Seriously, the flavor is OFF the charts. It is SO good!
    • Smoking chili is a great way to use up any leftover meat you might have. You can use smoked chuck roast, leftover brisket, or smoked steak. Just dice it up into smaller pieces.
    • The smoker does all the work. It is an almost set it and forget it recipe. Once the chili is on the electric smoker, all you need to do is give it a stir every once in a while to make sure it doesn't burn.
    • Perfect any time of the year. This dish isn't just comfort food, it tastes just as good in the middle of summer as it does on a cold winter day.
    • Leftovers taste even better the next day when the flavors have even more time to meld together.

    🧾 Ingredients

    Make this chili with these simple ingredients, easy to find at any grocery store.

    Ingredients for smoked chili measured out and placed on a white table.
    • Lean ground beef.
    • Olive oil.
    • Large onion, diced.
    • Garlic cloves, diced.
    • Tomatoes. I used 1 jar of our own canned tomatoes. This equals about 2 cans of diced tomatoes.
    • Chili powder. You can add more if you like it hot!
    • Salt. I used sea salt.
    • Paprika. I used regular paprika.
    • Black pepper.
    • Garlic powder.
    • Onion powder.
    • Canned beans. I used one can each of red kidney beans, romano beans, black beans, and chickpeas.
    • Canned corn. I added canned kernel corn.
    • Tomato sauce, optional. You can add a can of tomato sauce if you want your chili base to be thinner.
    • Tomato paste, optional. If you add tomato sauce, you may want to add tomato paste to thicken up the chili.

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    💨 How to make smoked chili

    This smoked chili recipe is simple to follow and easy to make. Let's get started!

    First, in a large pot, skillet, or dutch oven on the stovetop, add olive oil and ground beef. Cook the meat over medium heat until browned. Add the onion and garlic to the beef and cook until no pink remains in the meat. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat into smaller pieces. Drain off any excess fat.

    Cooking ground beef in a large skillet with diced red onion and garlic.

    Add the canned tomatoes to the cooked meat mixture.

    Canned tomatoes added to the skillet with the ground beef.

    Sprinkle all of the spices on top of the chili mixture.

    Spices added to the top of the meat mixture.

    Add drained and rinsed beans to the meat mixture.

    Beans added to the chili mixture in the large skillet.

    Add canned corn to the chili bean mixture.

    Canned corn added on top of the chili mixture in the skillet.

    Mix well. Cook for 5-10 minutes longer, until heated through.

    The chili mixture in a skillet.

    Preheat the pellet grill to 225 degrees F.

    Spread the chili evenly in a cast iron pot or disposable aluminum pan that will fit the smoker grill grate.

    Chili mixture in an aluminum pan.

    Smoke for at least 1 hour, and up to an additional hour for a total of 2 hours, depending on how strong you like the smoke flavor.

    Serve immediately with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

    Smoked chili in individual casserole containers, topped with sliced jalapeno pepper.

    🧾 Substitutions

    • Ground beef. You could also use ground venison, ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork, or chuck roast cut into small cubes. You could also use leftover smoked brisket or pulled pork.
    • Olive oil. You can also use canola oil or avocado oil.
    • Fresh onion. You can also use 4-½ tablespoons of dried onion flakes.
    • Fresh garlic. You can also use 2 teaspoons minced garlic or 2 teaspoons garlic flakes.
    • Tomatoes. You could also use 3 cups of chopped, peeled fresh tomatoes.
    • Chili powder. You can also use fresh chilis if you like. If you have it, Ancho chili powder adds great flavor to this chili recipe.
    • Garlic powder. You could also use 1 teaspoon granulated garlic or 2 teaspoons of garlic salt.
    • Onion powder. You could also use 1 tablespoon of dried onion flakes.
    • Salt. You could also use seasoning salt or regular table salt.
    • Paprika. For even better flavor use smoked paprika.
    • Black pepper. You could also use white pepper.
    • Canned beans. Feel free to use other beans such as pinto beans. Use your favorite chili beans, or whatever you have on hand in your cupboard.

    🍲 How to serve smoked chili

    There are endless possibilities when it comes to serving chili.

    • You can add shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream on top for a delicious and hearty meal.
    • Chopped fresh cilantro or green onion is also a great addition.
    • You can also top chili with chopped avocado and fresh tomatoes for a healthy and tasty option.
    • One of my favorites is to serve with fresh grilled jalapeños, diced green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese.
    • Serve the chili in a bread bowl for a fun and unique way!

    HINT: After the chili is smoked, I like to keep it warm in the slow cooker on a cold day so that a big bowl of hearty chili is ready as soon as we come in out of the cold.

    🥗 What side dishes to serve with chili

    Some great side dishes that go with smoked chili are:

    • Rice
    • Cornbread
    • Biscuits
    • Air buns
    • Tortilla chips
    • Garlic bread.
    • Breadsticks.
    • Baked potatoes.
    • Green salad
    • Sweet potato fries

    📖 Variations

    There are endless variations you can try with this smoked chili recipe. Some tasty options to try are:

    • Spicy: To turn up the spice level on this chili, add more chili seasoning, or add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. You could also add diced jalapeno peppers, red chili peppers, or a diced poblano pepper. You can also serve this chili with a dash of bottled hot sauce or tabasco sauce for more heat.
    • Vegetables: Add some of your favorite vegetables to make this recipe even more hearty. I like to use bell peppers (either a green bell pepper or a red bell pepper), diced mushrooms, diced carrots, and diced celery.
    • Spices to try: Chipotle powder, oregano, smoked paprika, ground cumin.
    • Sweet: If you like your chili on the sweeter side, try adding a ½ cup of maple syrup, brown sugar, or honey.
    • Richer flavor: To add even more flavor, try adding some cooked bacon or smoked sausage to the chili.

    🍽Equipment

    • Large pot, skillet, or dutch oven.
    • Disposable aluminum pan or large cast iron skillet to place on the smoker.
    • Smoker: Our smoker is a Pit Boss electric smoker.

    🌡️ Storage

    If you have leftover smoked chili, you can:

    Fridge: You can store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container, where it will keep for 3-4 days.

    Freezer: You can freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

    💭 Top tips for making this smoked chili recipe

    • Use a disposable aluminum pan to make cleanup a breeze.
    • Place the aluminum pan on a baking sheet and use that to carry the prepared chili outside to the pellet smoker.
    • Make sure that the pellet grill is up to temperature before adding the chili, you don't want it to cool down.
    • Be sure to stir chili frequently while smoking so that the flavor is distributed evenly through the whole dish.
    • Use smoked paprika for even more flavor.
    • This recipe will produce enough chili for 6 people, but can be easily doubled or tripled if you are feeding a crowd.
    Closeup of smoked chili in 2 small serving dishes, topped with slices of jalapeno pepper.

    ❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    What are the best pellets for smoking chili?

    This will depend on your personal preference, but hickory, mesquite, and Competition blend are all good choices.

    What is the cooking temperature for smoking chili?

    The temperature for smoking chili in this recipe is 225 degrees Fahrenheit.

    How long can you smoke chili on a pellet grill?

    You can smoke chili on a pellet grill for as long as you like, but it will eventually reach a point where the flavor is too strong, and it will be inedible. On the other hand, if you want your chili smoky, you could smoke it for up to 3 hours. I would taste it occasionally, though, to make sure the flavor isn't getting too intense.

    Can this chili be made vegan?

    Of course! Simply leave out the ground meat and add extra beans if desired.

    🧾 More recipes to try

    • The Best Chili Lime Chicken (Smoked)
    • Ground Venison Recipes - 19 Easy Recipes
    • Easy Baked Beans - So Delicious
    • How To Make Mustard Beans
    • Easy Smoked Chicken Breast Recipe on a Pellet Grill

    If you're looking for a delicious and easy smoked chili recipe, then look no further! This recipe is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Plus, it's really easy to make. All you need is a smoker and some basic ingredients. So, spice up your next BBQ with this smoked chili recipe!

    I hope you enjoyed this recipe for Smoked Chili. If you try it out and like it, I would appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave a star rating below. Also, please leave a comment below saying how much you enjoyed it and what other types of recipes/ingredients would be interesting for me to write about in the future.

    You can also Follow Me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

    📋 Recipe

    Smoked chili served in small casserole dishes, topped with sliced jalapeno peppers.

    Easy Smoked Chili Recipe

    Do you know what's better than a bowl of chili? Smoked Chili! This easy Smoked Chili Recipe is hearty and chock full of flavor with just enough smoky twist to make it unforgettable! It'll warm you up on those cold winter days and satisfy your hunger any time of year - especially game days. Top off your bowl full of deliciousness by adding anything from avocado slices to shredded cheese.
    5 from 48 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 411kcal
    Author: Jeri Walker
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    Equipment

    • Electric Pellet Grill
    • Large pot or skillet
    • Disposable aluminum pan or large cast iron skillet

    Ingredients

    • 1½ pounds lean ground beef
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 large onion diced
    • 4 cloves garlic diced
    • 2 cans diced tomatoes, with liquid 796 mL, 28 oz
    • 2 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 can red kidney beans 540 mL, rinsed and drained
    • 1 can romano beans 540 mL, rinsed and drained
    • 1 can black beans 398 mL, rinsed and drained
    • 1 can chickpeas (garbonzo beans) 393 mL, rinsed and drained
    • 1 can corn 341 mL (12 oz)
    • 1 can tomato sauce optional, 398 mL
    • 1 can tomato paste optional, 156 mL

    Instructions

    • Cook ground beef in olive oil in a large pot over medium heat with onion and garlic until the meat is browned. Drain off any excess fat.
    • Add the spices, tomates, beans, and corn to the meat mixture. Mix well. Cook for 5-10 minutes longer, until heated through.
    • Preheat the pellet grill to 225 degrees F.
    • Spread the chili evenly in a cast iron pot or disposable aluminum pan that will fit the smoker grill grate. Smoke for at least 1 hour, and up to an additional hour for a total of 2 hours, depending on how strong you like the smoke flavor.
    • Serve immediately with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    Nutritional information is approximate and is meant as a guideline only.
    Storage:
    Fridge: You can store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container, where it will keep for 3-4 days.
    Freezer: You can freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months
    Top Tips:
    • Use a disposable aluminum pan to make cleanup a breeze.
    • Place the aluminum pan on a baking sheet and use that to carry the chili outside to the pellet smoker.
    • When smoking food, make sure that the smoker is up to temperature before adding the food.
    • Be sure to stir chili frequently while smoking, so that the flavor is distributed evenly throughout the whole dish.
    • Use smoked paprika for even better flavor.
    • This recipe will produce enough chili for 6 people but can be easily doubled or tripled if you are feeding more.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 411kcal | Carbohydrates: 45.9g | Protein: 39.4g | Fat: 8.4g | Saturated Fat: 2.4g | Cholesterol: 67.8mg | Sodium: 1129.3mg | Potassium: 1153.8mg | Fiber: 11.6g | Sugar: 4.4g | Vitamin A: 35.7IU | Vitamin C: 11.4mg | Calcium: 147.5mg | Iron: 7.5mg
    L❤️VE this recipe? PIN it for later! 😊Mention @windingcreek_ranch or tag #windingcreek_ranch on IG!

    📑 Food safety

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    More Easy & Delicious Beef Recipes

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      Easy Air Fryer Filet Mignon with Bacon
    • The smoked sausages, with grill marks, on a white serving platter.
      Smoked Sausage Recipe on Pellet Grill
    • Smoked shotgun shells stacked up in a pyramid and placed on a wooden cutting board.
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    • Smoked beef tenderloin sliced into two steaks on a wooden cutting board.
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    Hi, I'm Jeri!

    I'm a passionate home cook who loves creating easy and delicious recipes for busy families! My goal is to help you make tasty meals quickly so you can spend more time on what matters most-- family!

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