Over the Top Chili Recipe 😮‍💨

ByDorothy Miller
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This Over the Top Chili Recipe delivers incredible smoky flavor by cooking the meatball directly over the chili pot on the grill or smoker. The rendered fat and drippings create a uniquely rich, beefy broth that simmers into the beans and vegetables below. For a perfect pairing, try this hearty chili with Cornbread Casserole Recipe Easy or Cowboy Pasta Salad Recipe.

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Over The Top Beef Chili

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A rich and hearty chili featuring a blend of ground chuck, hot Italian sausage, multiple beans, tomatoes, and a robust mix of spices, slow-cooked to develop deep flavors enhanced by the unique ‘over the top’ cooking method.

  • Author: Dorothy Miller
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x
  • Method: Main Dish
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 Bell pepper, diced
  • 1 Onion, diced
  • 1 cup Low sodium beef stock
  • 1 tbsp Cumin
  • 1 tbsp Chili powder
  • 1/2 tbsp Salt
  • 1/2 tbsp Pepper
  • 1/2 tbsp Taco seasoning
  • 1 tsp Cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Onion powder
  • 1 tbsp Baking cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp Minced garlic
  • 15 oz Diced tomatoes with green chili
  • 15 oz Tomato sauce
  • 6 oz Tomato paste
  • 15.5 oz Kidney beans, drained
  • 15.5 oz Pinto beans, drained
  • 1 lb Ground Chuck 80%/20% blend
  • 3 Links of hot Italian Sausage
  • 1 tbsp Cumin (for meat)
  • 1 tbsp Chili powder (for meat)
  • 1/2 tbsp Salt (for meat)
  • 1/2 tbsp Pepper (for meat)
  • 1/2 tbsp Taco seasoning (for meat)
  • 1 tsp Cayenne pepper (for meat)
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder (for meat)
  • 1 tsp Onion powder (for meat)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot and sauté diced bell pepper and onion until softened.
  2. Add the chili spice mix: cumin, chili powder, cayenne, salt, pepper, taco seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, baking cocoa powder, and minced garlic. Stir to combine with the vegetables.
  3. Add diced tomatoes with green chili, tomato sauce, tomato paste, kidney beans, pinto beans, and beef stock to the pot. Stir well.
  4. In a separate bowl, mix ground chuck and hot Italian sausage with the meat spices: cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, taco seasoning, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  5. Form the spiced meat mixture into a large patty and place it on a wire rack set over the pot of chili, allowing the drippings to fall into the chili below.
  6. Simmer the chili with the meat patty 'over the top' for approximately 3 hours, occasionally crumbling the meat into chunks as it cooks and letting the flavors meld.
  7. Adjust seasoning as needed during cooking.
  8. Once cooked, remove the meat and stir into the chili, then serve hot.

Notes

This chili is best cooked slow and low to allow the meat drippings to infuse rich flavor into the chili base. Adding baking cocoa powder adds depth and a subtle bitterness that balances the spice. Serve with toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, and chopped onions for added texture.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 7
  • Sodium: 800
  • Fat: 15
  • Saturated Fat: 6
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 30
  • Fiber: 8
  • Protein: 30
  • Cholesterol: 70

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this Over the Top Chili Recipe different from regular chili?

This Over the Top Chili Recipe uses a unique method where a meatloaf-style ball of seasoned ground beef is smoked or roasted above the chili pot. As it cooks, the rendered fat and juices drip into the chili below, creating an incredibly rich and smoky flavor that sets it apart from traditional stovetop versions.

Can I make this Over the Top Chili Recipe without a smoker?

Yes, you can still make this Over the Top Chili Recipe using an oven. Place the meatball on a rack set over a baking sheet with the chili pot beneath it. Roast at a high temperature to simulate the rendering and dripping effect, though the smoky flavor will be milder without a smoker.

What are the best toppings for Over the Top Chili?

Classic toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, diced onions, and fresh cilantro pair wonderfully with this hearty Over the Top Chili Recipe. The rich, meaty base stands up well to cool, creamy, and crunchy additions, enhancing the overall eating experience.

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