Is this worth the HYPE? Over the Top Chili -- No Bean Texas Style Chili

Over the top chili is a new way to make your favorite chili recipe, by creating a large meatloaf or meatball of sorts and smoking it on a wire rack set on top of a Dutch oven or pot. As the meat smokes, the fats drip down into the pot of chili and supposedly add extra flavor. And since so many viewers have requested a video on how to make over the top chili, I decided to give it a try!
You can definitely use this chili preparation method with your favorite chili recipe - just smoke the ground beef “over the top” of the pot with your other ingredients. For this recipe, we tried a no-bean chili for something different, but to be honest, my family prefers our chili with beans (cue the bad comments!). This homemade over the top chili was fantastic, but we were all missing our canned kidney and chili beans.
But our homemade chili seasoning is great! Get the recipe here: pelletsandpits...
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[@PelletsandPits]

So its ben 3 days since this video posted...we got a phone call from my in laws that absolutely loved it and preferred this over my chili...hahhaa I was happy and sad...but like we mentioned, this chili was great just something we are not used to...im sure someone and probably a large majority would like it...thats what make the world go around...cheers to all

[@frankmarullo228]

That chilli looks good , sure wish I had the ingredients to make that now, it's 16 degrees out and snowing ! And I'm cold . THANK YOU FRANK FROM MONTANA......

[@PelletsandPits]

WOW...yeah its hard to remember sometimes that parts of the country is still dealing with that....

[@TheFoodExperience]

That's a really neat idea with this chili. I'm personally team no beans but I wouldn't fault someone for enjoying it with beans. Pretty sure it was super tasty. So funny because next week I plan on making a bowl of red chili, Texas style using smoked chuck roast. I swear sometimes our ideas overlap. Great video Neal!

[@PelletsandPits]

I totally agree ahahhaha your making some fantastic stuff

[@TheFoodExperience]

@@PelletsandPits Thank you very much Neal!! If you have a moment I just published a pizza video last night. In case you ever plan on trying pizza again anytime soon I highly recommend giving it a look over. I go over everything very carefully and explain everything.

[@bobbicatton]

I think your chili looks fantastic, but I do like your idea of just smoking the meatloaf and adding to the pot on the stove. I would still smoke the veggies first too. Our family also prefers to include beans👍😊

[@PelletsandPits]

Yeah....just seems odd this way....

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Thanks for sharing with us Neil and Amy. I think your daughter nailed it too. It's just not your Chili. To each their own , ain't putting down anybody's Chili. But ruined a meal when a friend hollered out that it wasn't chili because it had beans in it that ruined it for the night. Some folks ain't got NO learning!! Stay safe and keep up your great recipes and the fun you all have making them. We appreciate your channel. Fred.

[@PelletsandPits]

Thanks for watching bud.....funny thing....when she got home I had her look and taste it...she said....thats not chili....thats beef vegetable soup...aint got no beans in it...hhhahahaha

[@PitMasterJBackyardBBQ-up2rj]

Sorry I'm late to the party. We love Chili with or without beans. This is a very interesting process here. I can't imagine this lasting very long around here! Prolly have to make a double batch. Def making this. Thanks again for these great ideas!

[@PelletsandPits]

Hope you enjoy it....I know a few days later that my in laws could not stop talking about how great it was...they absolutely loved it...funny thing is thats how I felt when eating it...I knew it was good just not something I was used to...

[@k1llerdir]

A couple options for over the top chili other than grinding is leave the chuck roast whole and unground pork picnic roast.

[@PelletsandPits]

Yep...we have done that on my other channel...great idea

[@James-oh1wp]

Better way to do this … is chop up fresh tomatoes in quarters or halves and same with onions … smoke them til tender and puree . I’ve done it that way and you definitely get the smoke flavour in your chili … having said that I still prefer a traditional non smoker chili technique :)

[@tron-nt4bi]

Thank you for the "No Bean" chili......

[@bradcampbell624]

Cool vid. For those who don't have a meat grinder, the ol basic food processor works pretty well too. Semi-freeze the relatively cubed meat(s)- 1 or 1/2 inch cubes (and the chopping blade) for 30 minutes or so and then pulse it a bunch of times until it looks like the consistency you like. Don't over process! The clean up is so much easier than a grinder. And yes, beans do belong in chili if you like them! I go with more of the texas red or chili colorado style sauce, and leave tomatoes out completely.

[@PelletsandPits]

Great suggestion for the food processor

[@freedomaquatics6328]

I think I did the actual drippings into the pot once. Then I started just doing it like you said and smoked the meat basically a meatloaf and then did the remaining on the stove top. I just like the added smoke flavor plus and excuse to cook outside.

[@PelletsandPits]

Very well said...just doesn’t make since to burn pellets that high of a temp...plus when burning at that high of temp...your not really gaining anything...on the stove is more efficient....definitely agree with smoking the meat though

[@2Wheels_NYC]

So in NYC we call those big fat burgers "Pub Burgers", and that is what I grew up with. I absolutely love them, but I also love a great smash burger. There never has to be only one. Your chili is the perfect example. Honestly, I'm sure anything you cook will be excellent. I like this idea, but an old school Dutch oven chili will be great, too! Thanks as always for a great video sir!

[@jaybooth4815]

Nice recipe for chili Neal! I like beans myself too. That would make a great meatloaf also. I use stew meat, Chuck and veal and smoke that for chili. That looks really good….some nice crusty bread…yummy! Great video brother! Cheers!

[@PelletsandPits]

Good stuff!

[@drillsgtlangdon]

I did a version of this once. The response from my family was about the same as the reaction you got from yours. However, The people who are not part of our family that we shared it with loved the crap out of it and even offered $$ for me to make them a batch of their own. That said, I guess it just depends on who's eating it..

[@PelletsandPits]

Thats what we were joking about...off camera...thats really how we felt....cheers

[@rpbonnette]

I would agree. I made a smoked over the top chili one time several years ago; wasn’t impressed. And yes, we also like beans in our chili despite living eight months a year in Texas. Chili IS one of those things that WHAT you like depends mostly on WHAT you were raised eating. Pizza is another good that comes to mind that is also so dependent on what you grew up eating.

[@PelletsandPits]

Hey thats a perfect scenario

[@billbanta7189]

Thanks!

[@PelletsandPits]

Appreciate that...thank you

[@Ahglock]

The only 2 times I put the meat over the dutch oven like that it was with whole meat. One time a brisket the other time a fat chuck roast. For the brisket I probably used maybe 1/4 of the brisket for the chili, the rest just for brisket. I probably use less tomato as mine never ended up tomato forward. I don't think I'd ever do it just for the chili, but with brisket it works out as I am already smoking the brisket. But still its rare for me(2 times total) as I am lazy and feel like the brisket on its own is enough work that day. Also it is just me, so brisket is rare just due to food waste concerns.

[@PelletsandPits]

Now thats something i completely agree with...I understand that whole heartedly....

[@The_Original_Big_Daddy]

This one is a head scratcher. And not being from Texas, I do like some beans in my chili as well. Not bean forward, just some beans added. The other thing I don't care for is straight brisket, I like chuck for chili way better. Good video guys!

[@PelletsandPits]

To be honest...spot on....I agree

[@gharv1313]

Awesome job Neal, never had chili without beans but definitely would try it. Using that rack was definitely a smart idea! Awesome stuff today! Cheers bro.🍻

[@PelletsandPits]

Thanks for watching bud

[@BlackJesus8463]

Genius! 😘👌

[@PelletsandPits]

Thank you! Cheers

[@boomersudden6257]

I love over the top chili. But it's got to have beans. Really don't have to put the meat over the top if you don't want the fat in the pot but it'll still give the meat a great smoke flavor.

[@RobbinsJoe]

Boss, I'd eat that Chili with one foot in a fire. We're on team bean as well, but I think for a nice change of pace, it would be great. Well done as always. 👏

[@PelletsandPits]

hahahah I will use that one...

[@cthompson7184]

When I make OTT chili I make meatballs instead of a meatloaf to get more smoke flavor to the meat

[@PelletsandPits]

I can see that...thats better

[@heavyq]

I'm a chili purist. Meat, Chilis, broth, seasonings. I love beans, but I've never been a big fan of them in chili for some reason. Have you tried Meat Church's chili powder? I used to make my own, but Matt's blend is straight wizardry. It's so darn good! Great video as usual! Love these experiments!

[@PelletsandPits]

I personally have not...I have tried Malcolms...

[@Rickety57]

If you smoked the chuck roast and vegetables whole for a couple hours beforehand then chilled the chuck roast could you still grind it for the chili? Idk can you grind it after smoking?

[@alans6767]

Ya you could finish inside but I will cook outside over inside all year long.

[@billyhaney5002]

We have two places around here that are famous for their 2in pork chops , and smoke thick pork steaks, be great to see your take on them .

[@PelletsandPits]

Absolutely would love to....one of my favorites for sure

[@JasonStutz]

Hard to beat a good chili!

[@PelletsandPits]

Absolutely

[@Derek.Naquin]

Amazing as always!! What knife sharpener do you use to keep your blades so sharp?

[@PelletsandPits]

ai have several I rotate through...depending on how much time I have...2 sided wetstone...3 grove handheld wheel...honing steel

[@FrankFinchIII]

Chile looks great. Love your videos. What is the make and model of the meat grinder you used? Can you post a link to it ? Thanks!

[@PelletsandPits]

I bought direct from Meat.....its a .5 dual meat grinder

[@FrankFinchIII]

@@PelletsandPits Thank you. Love your videos!

[@billyhaney5002]

Looks good, but that’s a lot of effort for chili . How do you make your chili ?? And I like beans in mine too.thanks for sharing.

[@PelletsandPits]

Easier for sure...never been a fan of the long chili...when quick and easy has done it for us for years...love the beans...taco seasoning is a secret...way less tomatoes...we actually made a easy chili on my other channel a while ago...very similar

[@tonyrutten2293]

Looks good but I would never make chili without beans. It looks too tomatoey for me! Luv ur show(s) Neil & Sharon!!

[@PelletsandPits]

Thank you so much..cheers

[@SurprisingCooking]

❤❤❤

[@petematthews7303]

beans!

[@PelletsandPits]

all day long....

[@stonerscravings]

If I made chili without beans I’d be headed for divorce 😂

[@PelletsandPits]

hahahaha You aint kidding...so what my daughter actually said...your not going to make me eat that are you...thats beef soup...chili has beans...hahaahahah love her

[@jakespencer8077]

Man I tried that probably 20 years ago and wasn’t impressed at all. I’ll stick with my venison, elk, or brisket chili. No beans though 😂😂😂

[@FrankFinchIII]

What is the make of the grinder you use?

[@PelletsandPits]

Meat your maker

[@nicks3742]

Used leftover smoked brisket in your chili.

[@PelletsandPits]

Yeah...we do...

[@jamesyers1975]

Next time you make hamburgers grind bacon up in the meat.

[@emmgeevideo]

Is there anything more boring than "this isn't chili because ___" It's chili if you say it's chili. Let's talk about something else.

[@ratedrgamer6758]

So why not use your recipe and do the over the top method?? 🤣🤣

[@PelletsandPits]

Because we depend on beans for a filler...if not your only using seasoning, stock and meat...somehow you need a little substance

[@ratedrgamer6758]

Who said you can't use beans? @@PelletsandPits

[@ChrisBQue]

Chili with no beans is the way to go. It's hard to beat a good chili. 🌶🥣🤠

[@PelletsandPits]

100 agreee......no doubbt....

[@jamesyers1975]

Next time you make hamburgers grind bacon up in the meat.