Name: Smoked Brisket Chili
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 40 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: BBQ
Ingredients: 2 Cups brisket, diced; 1 lbs ground beef; 1 Cup pork sausage, diced; 1 onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 3 Tablespoons olive oil; 8 oz can tomato sauce; 15 oz can diced tomatoes; 15 oz can beef broth; 2 Tablespoons chili powder; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoons pepper; 15 oz can kidney beans (optional)

Got leftover brisket? This smoked brisket chili recipe is so good and will certainly be one you’ll want to bookmark for frequent use!

In the world of BBQ, brisket is king. It can also be expensive, too. To get more bang for your buck, this smoked brisket chili recipe will teach you a new creative way to use your leftovers (if you happen to have any, that is). In fact, you might purposely keep some brisket set aside so you can make this leftover brisket chili often!

https://youtu.be/NhK21xZnuDo

Smoked Brisket Chili w/beans? (https://youtu.be/NhK21xZnuDo)

How to Start Your Smoked Brisket Chili

Ingredients for chili simmering in a Dutch oven.

This brisket chili recipe will all be cooked in one Dutch oven or large pot, which makes it super convenient. To begin, combine three tablespoons of olive oil with a diced onion and three minced garlic cloves. Cook for a couple of minutes over medium heat. Next, add a pound of 80/20 ground beef, two teaspoons of salt, and two teaspoons of pepper. Cook until the ground beef turns brown. Now add two cups of pork sausage to the mix. I like to dice this up and cook it until we get some nice crust on them.

Add two cups of diced brisket, along with chili powder, Italian seasoning, a can of beef broth, can of diced tomatoes, and an 8 oz can of tomato sauce. Heat to boiling, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover, stirring on occasion for an hour.

Which Part of the Brisket To Use for Brisket Chili

The brisket is made up of two parts: the point and the flat. The point is the fattier part and the point is the leaner, longer part. This portion is perfect for brisket burnt ends. When it comes to leftover brisket, I like to use meat from the flat because leaner beef holds up better when simmering for a long time. Cooking with the point will lead to the meat getting a little mushy.

I suggest slicing the leftover brisket when it is cold as it will be easier to cut. Dice it up into half inch cubes to have more bites of it in your chili recipe.

Do You Add Beans to Chili?

The age old debate is whether to add beans to chili. Some folks say real chili doesn’t have beans. But if you want beans, then treat yo self and add beans. This brisket chili recipe has the option to add a can of kidney beans. Make sure to drain and rinse the beans before putting in the chili. Add to the leftover brisket chili after it has simmered for an hour and let it simmer for another 30 minutes.

The Magic Ingredient for this Brisket Chili Recipe

Make sure to let the chili sit for 20 to 30 minutes after it has simmered. This helps it to thicken. If you want to help chili thicken even more, and add a different flavor to the experience, add a bar of chocolate. This tip was provided by my buddy Rich Lewis, whom you can find on Instagram at @sircooksalot_richlewis. I have done this to the chili and my family loves it! Worth giving a try, especially if you find your smoked brisket chili to be a little runny.

How Long is Brisket Chili Good For?

When stored in an airtight container and placed in the refrigerator, brisket chili is good for up to four days. One variable would be how long the brisket was in the fridge before the chili was made.

Other Chili Recipes to Try

If you’re looking for a different approach to chili, then check out my tasty tri tip chili recipe! Or looking for a healthier alternative? Then try my white bean chicken chili!