Nacho Topped Smoky Beef Brisket and Beans Chili for the Slow Cooker

The minute I saw this chili I knew I was making it. I found it while browsing online for “smoky” chili recipes, and while I did not make the exact recipe I found (because it required a handheld smoking gun as only a Williams Sonoma recipe would!), I was blown away by the delicious simple genius of piling tortilla chips and cheese on top of my chili. Nachos on chili. Yum.

I’ll let you admire that for a moment (and truly I wish I had managed to get the chili done before I lost the light because it was a thing of beauty–my kids took one look at it and practically squealed in excitement!). Now imagine presenting that at a Super Bowl party! Or any party for that matter. I am a total nachos addict, so to me that just looks like the most brilliant idea ever. And I am happy to say that it was. I imagine it would work on any chili for that matter, although this one was certainly delicious.

Now for the fine print: Williams Sonoma said to put the slow cooker stovetop-safe insert under the broiler for the nachos. Because my slow cooker is a Williams Sonoma exclusive, I decided to trust them even though it made me nervous. So I am not promising anything about every single stovetop-safe slow cooker insert on the market, but I can tell you the cast aluminum insert made by All Clad was fine under the broiler, about 6-8 inches down, on high, for the few minutes it took to melt the cheese.

About the chili itself: this one was slightly out of my wheelhouse, as it is a chili with small chunks of brisket (or you can use chuck) braised into the chili–previously mine have always been either vegetarian or ground meat based. As I mentioned, the recipe required a smoker, so instead I focused on bacon fat, smoked salts and smoked dried chile peppers. I also increased the vegetables and beans and decreased the meat, not just for health but also because I really love beans in my chili. I am afraid I would be lost in Texas! The idea of chili without beans to me is just heresy. This chili in fact had 4 different kinds (you don’t have to use 4 different kinds though): black (canned); kidney (canned); white tepary (homecooked and frozen); and rio zape–I think (home-cooked and frozen).

5 from 1 vote

Print

Nachos Topped Smoky Beef Brisket and Beans Chili for the Slow Cooker

Adapted from Williams Sonoma

Course: Entree

Cuisine: chili

Author: TheSpicedLife

Ingredients

• 2-2 1/2 lbs beef chuck or brisket, cut into 1-inch cubes
• smoked salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 3-4 T bacon fat, divided
• 1-2 t smoked salt
• 4 medium onions, diced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 sweet bell peppers, seeded and diced
• 10 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 t chipotle powder
• 3 T smoked paprika or chipotle powder, depending on heat tolerance
• 2 T New Mexico chile powder
• 5 T ancho chile powder
• 2 T (heaping) ground cumin
• 1 T Mexican oregano
• 2 t ground coriander
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 28 oz cans crushed tomatoes
• 1 15 oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained (or equivalent cooked)
• 1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained (or equivalent cooked)
• 30 oz additional cooked beans of choice (I used a frozen mix of white and brown--canned is fine too)
• 1/4 cup finely ground cornmeal (I used blue)
• 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 oz Monteresy Jack cheese, shredded
• 3 cups tortilla chips
• Guacamole for serving
• Sour cream for serving

Instructions

1. Season the beef generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat over the stovetop-safe insert of a slow cooker over medium-high heat. Add half of the beef and brown it on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes per batch. Transfer to a large bowl. Add another tablespoon of bacon fat and repeat with the second half of the beef.

2. Remove the beef and add the remaining 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat. Add the onions with a pinch of smoked salt and cook until it is starting to caramelize, about 8 minutes. Add the carrots, celery and bell peppers with another pinch of salt and cook for another 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scotching or sticking. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute. Add the chili powders, cumin, oregano and coriander and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add the beef, broth and tomatoes, and add smoked salt and black pepper to taste, keeping in mind to add less salt, like a pinch or two, if you are using salted tomatoes and/or broth.
3. Place the insert on the slow-cooker base, and cover and cook on high until the meat is tender, about 5 hours; during the last 30 minutes of cooking, stir in all of the beans and cornmeal.
4. Taste the chili for additional smoked salt or black pepper.
5. Place the rack in the lower third of your oven. Top the chili evenly with the tortilla chips and sprinkle with half of each kind of cheese. Place the insert in the oven and turn on the broiler, on high. Broil until the cheese is melted, about 4 minutes. Serve with the remaining cheese, guacamole and sour cream for garnishes.

Looking for a collage to pin?