Lil’ Smokie Chili is a hearty, meaty and full-bodied earthy chili. Packed with protein rich ingredients, this is a filling chili that does not need much embellishment. It’s flavor is right on target for chili without too much heat. For the kids who refuse to eat a vegetable, this recipe works!
From the Basics
My chili recipes evolved until I got to this one. I started out with a basic browned ground beef, sauteed onion, rinsed and drained red kidney beans, tomato sauce and chili powder recipe. I have never been good at writing down what I put into my concoctions, let alone the measurements. Half the time, I don’t remember everything I used to build up my dish.
But chili was one I experimented with in every direction. I had a great run with a chili heavily loaded with vegetables. Using the basic recipe above and added bite-size chunks of zucchini, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms and yellow squash. A half-nod to my mom’s zucchini casserole; a staple growing up that I LEARNED to love. (Originally from grandma’s recipes, who knows where it really came from). Looking back, I suppose I missed trying brussel sprouts, radish, parsnip, carrots and potatoes. I imagine the parsnip, carrots and potatoes might have worked. But I don’t think the other two would work well.
The Meat
I attempted substituting ground sausage for the ground beef. It was okay,but almost too rich. Finally, I settled on a half and half blend of ground beef and ground sausage. Now, to clarify, I am using sausage and not just ground pork. Specifically, I use Jimmy Dean’s original sausage. I have tried ground pork from the butcher and it lacks that flavor from the Jimmy Dean’s seasoning perfection. I can spin my tail trying to recreate that flavor but its much easier buying it pre-seasoned.
The Heat
How much heat is too much heat? It really depends on the crowd you are feeding. When you have primarily adults, they can handle a spicier chili. How you introduce that heat is up to you. Like original chilis with roasted chilis or using the dried chili powders to fresh sliced hot peppers. I encourage you to experiment with hot pepper sauces too, such as Tobasco sauce or Tapatio sauce — a nice garlic pepper blend in that one. Then, if it is too hot, a dollup of sour cream will help ease that heat. Or if the batch overall just needs to be toned down, throw in some potato. Potato is great at absorption! After awhile, remove and toss out the potato. Or save it for another soup or casserole to give the new dish a kick!
The “I can’t take the heat” Crowd
This is where I was with my chili. Using half and half meat, a mix of bean types, a little on the spicier side of life usually with sauteed onions thrown in with the burger, green peppers and zucchini. But here I was getting ready for a football game. I had already established my hosting of the game day spreads and I had family, friends and neighbors counting on me for dinner. A couple people had made it clear spicy was not their thing. I had to adjust. Here it is:
Lil’ Smokie Chili
Ingredients:
(Serves 6-10)
Prep time: 45 min. approx. Cook Time: 20 min. approx.
| 2 | ( | clove | ) | fresh garlic, minced | ||
| 1 | lb. | ( | pound | ) | fresh ground beef | |
| 1 | lb. | ( | pound | ) | fresh ground pork sausage (Jimmy Dean’s original is best) | |
| 1 | pkg | ( | 8-oz. | ) | lil smokies original style (one large package) | |
| 1 | tbs | ( | tablespoon | ) | chili powder | |
| 2 | tbs | ( | tablespoon | ) | cumin | |
| 1 | tsp. | ( | teaspoon | ) | paprika | |
| 1 | tsp. | ( | teaspoon | ) | onion powder | |
| 1 | tsp. | ( | teaspoon | ) | cayenne pepper | |
| 1 | can | ( | 14.5 oz | ) | diced stewed tomatoes; (optional) | |
| 1 | can | ( | 29-oz. | ) | tomato sauce | |
| 1 | can | ( | 29-oz. | ) | chicken broth | |
| 1 | can | ( | 14.5-oz | ) | beef broth | |
| 1 | can | ( | 15-oz. | ) | red (kidney) beans | |
| 1 | can | ( | 15-oz. | ) | black beans | |
| 1 | can | ( | 15-oz. | ) | pinto beans | |
| fresh onion, optional |
What You Will Need:
| 1 | large stock cooking pot or roaster pan | |||||
| 1 | soup ladle | |||||
| 1 | cutting board and knife | |||||
| 1 | can opener and colander | |||||
| 1 | measuring cup | |||||
| 1 | measuring spoon | |||||
| 1 | wooden spoon ( or rubber spoon or plastic spatula) | |||||
| 1 | small bowl |
Steps to Make Chili:
- First, use can opener to open cans of beans.
- Use colander to rinse all beans; drain and set aside mixed beans in one bowl.
- Combine all spices except garlic and blend in a small bowl; set aside.
- Next, use the knife and cutting board and cut all the lil smokies in half; set aside.
- Then, use can opener to open diced stewed tomatoes and tomato sauce; set aside undrained.
- Use the knife and cutting board to mince cloves of garlic; set half aside.
- Put half of garlic in the bottom of the stock pot or roaster pan.
- Add the fresh ground beef and fresh ground sausage.
- On medium heat, brown the meat with the garlic.
- Drain grease from browned meat and garlic. Return to medium heat and add remaining garlic.
- Add spices into meat; stir in and let oils of spices release; approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Next, add lil smokies to meat and spices.
- Then, add tomatoes and tomato sauce; stir together.
- Add mixed beans to meat, spices and sauce.
- Let simmer for approximately 30 minutes. Let flavors combine and canned sauce cook out the tin taste.
To Serve:
Recommended hot in a bowl. Or over a baked potato.
You can also serve with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese (or crumbled cheese curds — super yummy when the chunks melt), fresh chopped onions (or green onions), sliced olives as desired.
Additional toppings include fresh cilantro, fresh jalapenos.
Serve with corn bread, buttered bread, dinner rolls or quick drop biscuits.
Due to the versatility with chili, unlimited toppings and sides, this is a great crowd pleaser to set up for events such as game days. A chili bar.
This chili recipe pairs well with a bold and strong red wine like a Malbec, Bordeaux Blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, or Pinotage. See more on wine pairing recommendations for this recipe below.
Special Tips:
To easily peel garlic clove; put whole bulb of garlic in microwave for approximately 20 seconds. Remove, cool to touch, then peel with ease.
Or, place garlic bulb in a small jar, close and tighten lid, shake vigorously, remove from jar and cloves should have shed their peel.
For garlic lovers, you may wish to add additional cloves or garlic, especially after draining the grease from the meat.
Adjust all spices to YOUR preference. I tend to go heavier on the cumin, paprika and cayenne when I am serving just my family.
Beans…this recipe really does need the bean, in my opinion. However, I have made this chili from scratch too. I prefer to make it from scratch but definitely, the canned beans are much easier and quicker. From scratch, I put the dry beans in water at a 1:3 parts ration (1 part beans:3 parts water). I bring the beans to a full boil then reduce to a mildly rolling boil uncovered for 2 hours or until they are just softening, similar to an al dente pasta or a firm potato chunk for potato salad.
Next, I rinse the beans. Then I add them to the chili meat, spices and sauce mixture. Allow for several hours continued simmering to completely soften beans and flavors to saturate into beans. Add additional beef brother or water as necessary to maintain a liquid sauce without becoming dry or too wet and soupy. Simmer combined chili with beans covered as well to promote faster cooking of beans.
For a slightly leaner version of this chili, substitute the ground beef for ground venison and the ground sausage for reduced fat ground sausage.
Warm Up Your Chili Night with Wine
I imagine if you were traveling across the Northwest in covered wagons you wouldn’t have the option of a fine wine pairing for your chili. In fact, your only option may have been water or ground coffee — with all the grounds!
Luckily, our means of travel have come along way from the covered wagon. Plus, not only is fine wine available, it is available for delivery at your own front door! FINE WINES from around the globe.
Wine Pairing Recommendation
For this particular chili recipe, I recommend bold and hearty wine with notes that compliment this loaded protein-rich and fiber-generous, meaty chili recipe. Until I joined my wine club, I had never realized how wine can highlight the flavors of a meal. For me, it was an instant favorite pairing the moment I took my first sip of a red wine with my chili.
Or if you are into exploring wine regions, try the scrumptious fine wines from our Sonoma and Napa Valleys. A Cabernet Sauvignon. Incredible wine. I love to bring out my fine wines and share with guests. Wine turns a basic dinner with company into and event. Plus wine is a great conversation starter as well as a great pairing for the chili.
Health Benefits
Finding and incorporating healthy foods in our lives is not always easy. Temptations of fried fatty treats are at every corner. But who wants to be on a perpetual diet? My approach is to look for foods I like and learn how they are beneficial for my health. Granted, I seek information on the ones I like. I haven’t focused too much on foods I don’t like. My list is in progress and includes spices and herbs. I have data on vitamins too. Its been a work in progress for a few years and a collaboration of multiple online sources. Unfortunately, I didn’t think to document those and only extracted the essential benefits for my own purpose of reference. But I’ll bet when you look around the internet enough, you will find similar resources, possibly the same.
- This summary of collected tidbits from internet resources is not intended as a medical guide. Only available beneficial information is shown, negative side effects and other warnings have not been included. The effectiveness and accuracy of any health benefit are subject to opinion and varying outcomes from different studies and reports. Refer to your medical provider or nutritionist when considering any changes.
The Diet Plan
By educating myself on the nutrition value, I am motivated to make healthier choices. Obviously, all choices are meant to be in moderation and any diet changes should be approved by your medical provider. However, I enjoy carrots. Here is why I will keep carrots on my menu:
Carrots – increases libido, promotes healthy vision, reduces cardiovascular disease, best when eaten slightly cooked (better nutrient absorption), cut off green tops for storage (tops will absorb out nutrients), reduces cholesterol, source of fiber, vitamin a, vitamin k, vitamin c, potassium, reduces risk of lung and breast cancer, enhance quality of breast milk, helps prevent gum disease, increases menstrual flow, helps fight obesity, helps treat insomnia, inflammation of kidneys/liver
I struggle with insomnia regularly. Plus, as I age I feel my eyesight is slipping. Carrots are a great way to help tackle those problems. Naturally, carrots are not going to solve the medical issues I experience. But they are great raw for that crunchy textured snack. Simultaneously, carrots are soft and have a sweet hint to them when cooked. Although the idea here is to be healthy, a pinch of brown sugar with melted butter over them and it is seventh heaven. Best of all, they pair well and frequently with peas. Are you ready to add carrots to your menu? Keeps hunger pains at bay. Watch the number on the scale drop. Now you know my method for creating a nutritional diet plan. Let’s discover health benefits for ingredients used to make the above chili.
Health Benefits of Lil Smokie Chili Ingredients
Cayenne
Cayenne – at the first sign of any type of headache, with plenty of water as a chaser, this spicy herb may be an effective alternative treatment. Added to food, cayenne perks up appetite, improves digestion and relieves gas, nausea, and indigestion. The herb also thins phlegm and eases its passage from the lungs, thus helping to prevent and treat coughs, colds and bronchitis, promotes heart health, aids in burning body fat, reduces cravings for alcohol intake.
Cumin
Cumin – promotes weight loss, improves cholesterol, promotes digestion by speeding it up and helping digest fats, reduces food-borne infections, improves blood sugar control, helps relieve symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a great source of iron – especially for women and children, may help curb drug dependency such as opioid addiction, may have anti-inflammatory benefits, boosts the immune system, helps fight against some cancers, rich in Vitamin E, aids in skin health helping prevent rashes and pimples, helps ease common cough and colds, promotes good metabolism, fights asthma.
Kidney Beans
Kidney Beans – high in protein helps you feel fuller longer, controls appetite, helps with weight loss, helps lower cholesterol, boosts concentration and memory, slowing Alzheimer’s and dementia, helps balance blood sugar levels, reduces symptoms of allergies, helps detoxify the body, good source of potassium and magnesium, helps reduce risk of hypertension, stabilizes blood pressure, improves heart health, boosts immunity, relieves constipation, helps with anti-aging, strengthens bones, relieves asthma symptoms, helps with cataracts and eye degeneration, can help prevent migraine headaches.
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