What really sets this recipe apart is the use of a smoker, which infuses the chili with a mouthwatering smoky flavor that elevates it to a whole new level. Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue or simply looking for a cozy weekend dinner, this chili recipe is sure to become a new household favorite.

Try this Homemde Cornbread to go with your Smoked Chili, it’s delicious!

Smoked Chili Recipe Ingredients

• Ground chuck – The heart of the chili, this flavorful meat adds richness and depth to the dish.
• Onion – A classic ingredient in many chili recipes, onion provides a slightly sweet and mild flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.
• Garlic – An aromatic and essential ingredient, garlic adds savory flavor and depth to the chili.
• Green bell pepper – Adds a bright, slightly bitter flavor and crunchy texture to the chili.
• Red bell pepper – Adds a sweet and slightly smoky flavor to the chili.
• Diced tomatoes – Provides a flavorful and slightly acidic base for the chili.
• Tomato sauce – Helps to thicken the chili and adds a rich tomato flavor.
• Kidney beans –  Adds a meaty texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor to the chili.
• Black beans – Adds a slightly earthy flavor and a creamy texture to the chili.
• Chili powder –  A blend of chili peppers and other spices, chili powder provides a complex and spicy flavor to the chili.
• Cumin –  Adds a warm and slightly nutty flavor to the chili.
• Smoked paprika – Adds a rich and smoky flavor to the chili.
• Salt and black pepper – Essential seasonings that enhance the flavor of the other ingredients.
• Beef broth – Provides a rich, meaty flavor and helps to balance the spices in the chili.

How to Make Traeger Smoked Chili

Preheat your Traeger pellet grill to 225°F. In a large Dutch oven, cook the ground chuck over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally. Drain off any excess grease.

Add the onion, garlic, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the Dutch oven. Cook until the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.

Add the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, kidney beans, black beans, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the Dutch oven. Stir to combine.

Pour in the beef broth and stir again. Place the Dutch oven on the Traeger pellet grill and close the lid of the smoker. Smoke the chili for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.

After 2-3 hours, check the consistency of the chili. If it’s too thick, add a bit more beef broth. If it’s too thin, continue cooking until it reaches your desired consistency.

Serve the smoked chili hot, topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, diced avocado, and chopped cilantro, if desired.

What can I serve with Smoked Chili?

• Cornbread – A classic accompaniment to chili, cornbread is a sweet and crumbly bread that can help to cut through the spiciness of the dish.
• Rice – A neutral grain like white or brown rice can be a great way to balance out the flavors of the chili and add some bulk to the meal.
• Tortilla chips – Crispy tortilla chips are the perfect vehicle for scooping up bites of chili, and can be especially delicious when topped with cheese, sour cream, or guacamole.
• Salad – A simple green salad can help to add some freshness and crunch to the meal, and can be a good option if you’re looking for a lighter side dish.
• Smoked vegetables – Smoked or grilled vegetables like zucchini, peppers, or sweet potatoes can be a delicious and nutritious side to serve alongside chili. They can be prepared in advance and provide a nice contrast in texture and flavor to the chili.
• Smoked Cream Cheese – this cream cheese served with crackers, pretzels or chips make a great appetizer or side dish for the Chili.

Optional Toppings for Beef Chili Recipe

Shredded cheese – A classic topping for chili, shredded cheese adds a creamy and tangy flavor to the dish. Cheddar or Monterey Jack are popular choices, but feel free to experiment with other types of cheese as well.

Sour cream – The cool and tangy flavor of sour cream is a delicious complement to the spiciness of the chili. A dollop on top of the chili can help to balance out the flavors and add some richness to the dish.

Chopped green onions – The fresh and slightly sweet flavor of chopped green onions can add a nice contrast to the rich and spicy flavor of the chili. They can add a nice crunch as well.

Diced avocado – The creamy and slightly nutty flavor of avocado can help to balance out the heat of the chili and add some healthy fats to the dish. 

Chopped cilantro – The bright and citrusy flavor of cilantro can help to add some freshness to the chili and cut through the heaviness of the dish. It can also add some colorful visual appeal to the dish.

Helpful Tips for Smoked Chili

What pellets should I use in my Traeger for smoking this chili recipe?

We recommend using Hickory or Mesquite for a great smoking flavor.

How can I add more spice to my Smoked Chili?

This recipe has two tablespoons chili powder, feel free to add more if you like. You can also add more smoked paprika or even some jalapenos to the chili.

How should I store leftovers?

We always recommend to store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Print

Smoked Chili Recipe

This Smoked Chili Recipe is delicious! It’s made with hearty ingredients like ground chuck, beans, tomatoes, and chili powder!

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 3 hours hours

Servings 8

Calories 232kcal

Author Mark Rogers

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 large green pepper, chopped
• 1 large red pepper, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes
• 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 15 oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups beef broth

Optional Toppings

• Shredded Cheese
• Sour Cream
• Chopped Green Onions
• Diced Avocado
• Chopped Cilantro

Instructions

• Preheat your Traeger pellet grill to 225°F.
• In a large Dutch oven, cook the ground chuck over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally. Drain off any excess grease.
• Add the onion, garlic, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the Dutch oven. Cook until the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
• Add the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, kidney beans, black beans, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to the Dutch oven. Stir to combine.
• Pour in the beef broth and stir again.
• Place the Dutch oven on the Traeger pellet grill and close the lid of the smoker. Smoke the chili for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
• After 2 hours, check the consistency of the chili. If it's too thick, add a bit more beef broth. If it's too thin, continue cooking until it reaches your desired consistency. Continue cooking for an additional 30-60 minutes.
• Serve the smoked chili hot, topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, diced avocado, and chopped cilantro, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 626mg | Potassium: 566mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1442IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 4mg

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