Mesquite-Smoked Brisket Chili with Black Beans
Hearty chili featuring slow-smoked brisket, smoky spices, and black beans simmered together for a robust Texas-inspired stew. This american-inspired grilling ready in about 75 minutes pairs smoked beef brisket, chopped, cooked black beans, yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb smoked beef brisket, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 cup diced yellow onion and 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb chopped smoked beef brisket, 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans, 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce, 1 cup diced tomatoes, and 2 cups beef broth to the pot.
- Step 4: Season with 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Step 5: Bring the chili to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook gently for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and chili thickens.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
- Step 7: Serve hot with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over each bowl.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mesquite-Smoked Brisket Chili with Black Beans take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Mesquite-Smoked Brisket Chili with Black Beans?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep smoked beef brisket, chopped from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mesquite-Smoked Brisket Chili with Black Beans?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Mesquite-Smoked Brisket Chili with Black Beans for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Mesquite-Smoked Brisket Chili with Black Beans?
American grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
