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10 Best Chili Recipes Made on the Pellet Grill

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Get ready to elevate your chili game to smoky perfection with Traeger’s 10 best chili recipes to keep you warm during the cold months. From unique takes on classic beef chili recipes, to mouthwatering lean alternatives like white chicken chili, get ready to harness the power of our wood pellet grills to infuse every bowl with that unmistakable wood-fired flavor you crave. Savor the season with the best chili you’ve ever tasted.


Over the Top Chili

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Introducing Traeger’s twist on this online trend. Try Smoked Over the Top Chili made on the Traeger. Rather than add the ground beef directly to the pot, cook the meatball (seasoned with our spicy Fajita Rub) on a rack above a pot of chili for that perfect smoky infusion. As it sizzles, the flavorful fat drips down into the beans and tomatoes below. Of course, no pot of chili is complete without tasty sides and toppings.

Learn how to make this recipe like an expert by reading our over-the-top chili guide.


Classic Beef Chili

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If you love classic beef chili, you'll love this wood-fired version. Chorizo and ground beef unite to craft an unforgettable flavor. Traeger’s recipe blends this savory duo with ranch-style beans, vegetables, and spices all combined in a Dutch oven. Once the dish has simmered, transfer it to a Traeger grill for a rich infusion of wood-fired flavor.


Easy White Chicken Chili

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When the chili craving hits hard but you’re short on time, go for a speedy yet satisfying option like white chicken chili. Combine white beans, delicious pulled chicken, and diced fire-roasted green chiles for a delectable yet light taste. Add charred corn, cotija cheese, and Traeger Original Hot Sauce for added flavor.

Make sure to learn how to make shredded chicken on the Traeger so you can add even more tasty wood-fired flavor to your meal.


Smoked Pork Chili Verde

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If you’re looking for chili recipes that combine south-of-the-border comfort with a rich wood-fired flavor, consider this smoked pork chile verde from Chef Bennie Kendrick. Place your seasoned pork shoulder directly on the grill grate and smoke for 1 hour; for optimal flavor use Super Smoke if available.

Once it’s reached an internal temperature of 160℉, combine with the rest of the ingredients and serve over rice with corn or flour tortillas. The best way to keep an eye on your internal temp is with a MEATER 2 Plus wireless meat thermometer.

If you want to take this chili back to its roots, forgo the beans all together like it was originally made in the Lone Star State. Learn more about the history of beans vs no beans in chili by reading our article.


Smoked Chili Con Carne

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You can’t go wrong with a classic chili recipe like smoked chili con carne. To make it Traeger style, add dark beer or strongly brewed coffee and dark chocolate, and smoke it on the grill for an hour at the end to infuse it with a mouthwatering smoky flavor.


Braised 5 Alarm Chili

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Looking for a chili that packs a bold punch? This spicy 5 alarm chili features three kinds of chiles and simmers in beer. By slow braising this dish over Traeger’s Hickory Pellets, at 325F for three hours, you’ll experience a flavor the size of Texas.


Smoked Venison Chili

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Experience the wild, bold flavors of the great outdoors with our smoked venison chili recipe from Chef Eva Shockey. Made with succulent venison and slow-cooked to perfection on your Traeger Grill, it’s a hearty campfire-inspired dish that’ll satisfy any craving.


Braised Texas Red Chili

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Make a chili recipe that ignites your taste buds and invokes some traditional Texas flavors. Take succulent chunks of beef and simmer them to perfection with that unmistakable wood-fired essence to create a delectable braised Texas beef chili. Serve with flour or corn tortillas to add another layer to these rich flavors.


Braised Cincinnati Chili

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Who says you can’t serve chili with spaghetti? Discover a tantalizing twist on chili in this Cincinnati-based recipe. Braised Cincinnati chili combines ground beef with a rich blend of aromatic spices, simmered to perfection and served atop a bed of spaghetti. Top this wood-fired dish with shredded cheese and onions to optimize the flavor.


Short Rib Chili

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Short rib chili is more than just a chili recipe. It’s a blend of aromatic spices and premium ingredients that takes comfort food to a new level with richly flavored short ribs, slow-cooked to perfection, as the star of the show. For optimum flavor, consider using Super Smoke.


Recipes Featuring Chili

Bacon Chili Cheese Dogs

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Take the beloved classic hot dog and elevate it to flavorful perfection on your Traeger grill by wrapping it in bacon, smothering it in homemade chili, and topping it all off with melted cheese. Who said hot dogs were only for the baseball stands?

BBQ Chili Burger

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Boost your burger game with our chili burger recipe. It's a bold and flavorful twist on a classic favorite, where juicy patties meet a hearty chili topping that's been slow-cooked to perfection on your Traeger grill.

While the wood-fired flavor adds depth to every bite, the melted cheese and fresh garnishes take it to the next level of deliciousness.

Before you get started on this recipe, learn how to grill burgers and smoke hamburgers like a pitmaster on the pellet grill.

Smoked Chili Brisket Nachos
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Get your movie snacks ready with our smoked chili brisket nachos recipe. We've taken tender, wood-fired brisket and turned it into a mouthwatering topping for a mountain of nachos that's big on flavor. Loaded with melted cheese, fresh ingredients, and a smoky kick, it's a dish that's perfect for sharing or savoring on your own.

Grilled Chili Cheese Jalapeño Dogs
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Get ready for a fiery flavor explosion with our Texas Chili Cheese Jalapeño Dog recipe. It's a wild and bold ride of wood-fired goodness where jalapeño-infused chili meets melty cheese, all cradled within the embrace of a perfectly grilled hot dog. This creation captures the essence of Texas cuisine with a smoky twist, bringing together bold flavors and wood-fired authenticity.

Classic Beef Chili

by Traeger Kitchen

Prep Time

20 Min

Cook Time

1 Hr
30 Min

Serves

8

Pellets

Apple

Chorizo and ground beef combine to create a one-of-a-kind chili that the whole family will love. Our recipe features a tasty combo of meat and ranch-style beans, all melded together with veggies and spices inside a Dutch oven that cooks directly on the Traeger.

Ingredients
main
1 Poundground chorizo
1 Poundground beef
2 Tablespoonunsalted butter
1 Mediumyellow onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tablespoontomato paste
2 (15 oz) cans of ranch-style beans, drained
1 (15 oz) can of tomato sauce
1 (14.5 oz) can of stewed tomatoes
3 TablespoonMexican oregano
3 Tablespoonchili powder
1 Tablespoonground cumin
2 dried bay leaves
Kosher salt, to taste
Beef stock, beer, or water, as needed
Toppings of your choice, for serving
    Steps
  • 1

    When ready to cook, set Traeger temperature to 350℉ and preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes.

  • 2

    Add the ground beef and chorizo to a large Dutch oven on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until the meat is browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer the meat to a medium bowl with a slotted spoon, discarding the excess fat.

  • 3

    Return the Dutch oven to medium-high heat and add the butter. Once melted, add the onion and green and red bell peppers. Sauté for 10 minutes, until the onion is lightly browned. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes more, until fragrant. Add the tomato paste and cook until the color darkens to a rusty red. Return the meat to the pot, then add the beans, tomato sauce, and stewed tomatoes and stir. Bring to a simmer, then stir in the oregano, chili powder, cumin, and bay leaves. Season with salt to taste.

  • 4

    Transfer the Dutch oven to the grill grates. Close the lid and cook until the chili has thickened and the flavors have melded, adding beef stock as needed if it is looking too dry, 45-60 minutes.

  • 5

    Remove the bay leaves and serve the chili hot with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

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Top Chili Recipes

Whether you're a fan of light chicken flavors or bold Texas ones, explore Traeger's top 5 most popular chili recipes.


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Chili Articles

Get all the must-have info on how to cook up an epic pot of chili on the Traeger.