How to smoke Ground Beef for chilli

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johnvi

Newbie
Original poster
Aug 1, 2011
10
11
If this has been already started in another thread, sorry for the lack of searching on my part...

Just wanted to ask the group how they smoke ground beef when they want to make a really good chilli. I have a great recipe, but never added smoked GB, always just cooked it in a pan... I have no clue how long, what temp, seasoning, etc..

any tips would be appreciated
 
I just spread it out on some foil and cut it into a tic-tac-toe shape and cook until done. Once the patties cook for a bit and firm up, I'll cut the squares into even smaller pieces.  In my experience, it takes about an hour to an hour and a half using 2lbs of meat.
 
I tried putting the ground beef in a foil pan once, but it didn't take on enough smoke flavor for my taste. It looks like thestealth and africanmeat have the right idea.
 
I make little meat balls, smoke them right on the grate, then cut them in quarters for the chili..
 
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I smoke my GB in a DO with out the lid 3 hr at 225 .Then drain the grease and add beans and sause spices .Then smoke another hr in pot at 225.
 
There's a recipe in my signature for Meatzapalooza chili, I usually don't smoke the meat separately, but if I did I would do it like Al said.
 
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Another way to get a great smokey flavor is to not use GB. Get cubed Stew meat and cubed Pork , smoke this add to your Chili and let it simmer 2-3 hrs.

Using the freshest Spices you can will greatly inhance the taste. Mix and heat all the Dry Spices and heat them in the pot you will use (dry) until you smellthem (this draws all the oils out and increases the flavor. I also use a little Ground Cloves in it to spark the flavor.

Use Beef Broth for more flavor and use Pure Chile If you can get it ( the commercial blends have too much Salt in them). Add -(I like Rotel) Tomatoes- plenty of Onion and Garlic and Cilantro if you like it. Let it simmer and reduce. serve with Beans on the side and with Corn Tortillas.

Have fun and...
 
I have done cubed stew meat in stew and chili as Oldschool suggests.

Brown the meat QUICKLY,high heat in a skillet, smoke a few hours then quarter the cubes.

I actually have better results using both ground meat and cubed meat, does wonders for  a good texture.

Also if you trim fat off of steak or pork, dice up and pan fry till crispy, does wonders for Stews, chili's and beans.




smoked onions


Meatzapalooza chili


had to fix pics
 
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One idea I had was to use a BBQ thing I have seen in more than one store.  It was a piece of aluminum perforated with holes that you put on top of your grill surface, I assume to be used to cook vegetables, fish, etc. that might fall between the grill grates.  Break the HB into pieces larger than those holes and you would have more penetration of smokey flavor throughout the meat.  They after smoking, you can break it back up into hamburger-sized meat, if that is your desire.
 
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   I don't bother trying to smoke the GB.  I just add finely chopped pulled pork. Adds a smokey flavor.

   Mike
That's what I would do.  My favorite chili is served at a BBQ restaurant called Dillon's here in the Phoenix Valley.  It is made with burnt ends and is just fantastic.

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