Easy Smokehouse Chili Con Carne

People can get downright territorial when it comes to chili recipes, but I’m happy to share mine for Easy Smokehouse Chili Con Carne. Chili is one of those recipes where everyone thinks theirs is the best, right? Ever notice how popular chili cook-offs are? I’m not here to say mine is the best. That’s just a matter of tastebuds, but I do know it’s a family favorite of ours.

One of the things I love about chili is how easy it is to put your own spin on it. Love spice? Add more hot sauce or chili powder. Not a fan of onions or garlic? Make it without. Want leaner meat? It also tastes great made with ground turkey. Cool it down with a dollop of sour cream. Add a sprinkle of your favorite cheese. It’s so versatile!

To make a really dynamite chili, though, you need to at least have a good base recipe. After years of playing around with chili ingredients, this is the one that my family has declared the keeper. It’s not too spicy but has lots of flavors melding together and just a little kick. Best of all, from start to finish, this chili is ready to serve in under an hour. Although this recipe serves four, you can absolutely double it. Also, if you happen to have any leftovers, this recipe takes amazing served up second-day.

How to Make This Easy Smokehouse Chili Con Carne 

I have been making my chili in a Calphalon hard-anodized Dutch oven for years and years. I love the fact that this brand is locally made and is top-quality. Matt refers to it as my favorite pan and it truly is. It’s easy to clean, cooks evenly, and is virtually indestructible. If you don’t have a Dutch oven, a large saucepan will do.

There are two ingredients in this chili recipe that make it distinctively different than other recipes out there. The first is the addition of unsweetened cocoa. You won’t be able to detect a cocoa taste directly in the recipe. It’s more a depth of flavor that it adds to the other ingredients.

The other distinctive ingredient is ground chipotle chili pepper, which adds that signature smokehouse flavor.

Whenever possible, I buy lean meats from a small and local family grocery store. They source their meats from area farms and I find it to be more flavorful and fresher tasting than the big chain grocery. I also prefer yellow onion over white for its sweeter flavor and cooking with freshly minced garlic. No judgment if you buy frozen chopped onion or bottled minced garlic. I’m all about saving time and I hate clean up as much as the next person. I just personally find fresh ingredients, even freshly dried herbs, have a better flavor so I cook with them whenever possible. 

Easy Smokehouse Chili Con Carne Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ground chipotle chili pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground oregano leaves
• 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 16-ounce can red kidney beans, undrained

Directions

• Cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic together in a saucepan or Dutch oven until beef is browned; drain thoroughly.

• Stir in the remaining ingredients except for the beans.

• Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in beans and heat to boiling, then reduce heat and simmer for an additional 20 minutes or until desired thickness.

• Serve as is or with your favorite toppings.

Notes

• Substitute ground turkey if you prefer it to ground beef. I think even a plant-based substitute could work
• You can drain and rinse the beans if you prefer, but I find that including the liquid with the beans helps thicken up the chili as it cooks
• Feel free to experiment with additional spices if desired

I hope this Easy Smokehouse Chili Con Carne becomes one of your family’s favorites too!