Ina Garten’s Hearty Brisket Chili Recipe: Soul-Warming Goodness

Chili lovers unite over this incredible brisket chili recipe from Ina Garten that sparks culinary magic in every single bite.

Bold flavors dance across your palate with rich, tender beef melting into a robust sauce.

The secret lies in slow-cooking techniques that infuse deep, complex notes into each spoonful.

Her approach elevates this classic comfort dish beyond ordinary expectations.

Tender brisket provides a luxurious foundation for a hearty meal that satisfies even the most discerning chili enthusiasts.

Robust spices and carefully selected ingredients guarantee a mouthwatering experience that will become your new go-to recipe.

Grab your pot and get ready to savor every delicious moment of this extraordinary chili adventure.

Tools Required for Ina Garten Brisket Chili

• Large pot: Essential for cooking the entire chili recipe, perfect for browning meat and simmering.
• Sharp knife: Needed to precisely cut brisket into ¼
• Cutting board: Provides stable surface for trimming and chopping meat safely.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring ingredients and scraping brown bits from pot bottom.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately measure beef broth and coffee amounts.
• Garlic press: Quickly crushes garlic cloves for even distribution in the chili.
• Ladle: Convenient for serving the finished chili into bowls.
• Cheese grater: Perfect for creating fresh shredded sharp cheddar cheese topping.

How to Make Ina Garten Brisket Chili

Bacon Brisket Comfort Chili

• Meaty Foundation Carefully slice the beef into tiny, bite-sized pieces while removing excess fat.
• Sizzling Start Cook bacon in a heavy-bottomed pot until perfectly crisp and golden, then set aside the strips.
• Flavor Building Sear beef chunks in the bacon drippings, working in small batches to ensure deep caramelization and rich browning.
• Aromatic Base Sauté diced onions in the same pot, scraping up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom.
• Spice Symphony Bloom fragrant spices with minced garlic, creating an intense layer of deep, complex flavors.
• Liquid Magic Pour in robust coffee and hearty beef broth, then crush whole tomatoes directly into the pot.
• Slow Transformation Cover and simmer the chili gently for several hours, allowing the meat to become meltingly tender.
• Final Touches Adjust liquid and seasoning to taste, then garnish with sharp cheddar, crispy bacon bits, and crunchy corn chips.

Cooking Tips for Ina Garten Brisket Chili

• Choose a well-marbled brisket for maximum flavor and tenderness, with fat cap intact to keep the meat juicy during slow cooking.
• Adjust the heat level by adding more or less chili powder, or experiment with chipotle powder for a smoky twist that elevates the overall depth of the chili.
• Take time to brown meat in batches, ensuring each piece develops a rich, caramelized exterior that locks in incredible flavor and creates a beautiful color.
• Transform this recipe into a hands-off meal by transferring all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning the meat, cooking on low for 6-8 hours for melt-in-your-mouth results.
• Replace Fritos with cornbread crumbles, swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese, or add fresh cilantro and lime wedges for a bright, zesty finish that complements the rich chili.

Serving Style for Ina Garten Brisket Chili

• Serve with Toppings Galore: Pile on freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, crisp minced white onions, and crunchy Frito chips for a flavor and texture explosion.
• Pair with Comfort Sides: Complement the hearty chili with warm cornbread, fluffy rice, or a crisp green salad to balance the rich, meaty flavors.
• Create a Chili Bar: Set up a toppings station with sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and extra hot sauce, letting guests customize their bowl to perfection.
• Enjoy with Beverage Companions: Serve alongside a cold Mexican beer, a robust red wine, or a smoky margarita to enhance the chili's deep, complex taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients for Ina Garten Brisket Chili

• Brisket: Provides rich, deep flavor and tender texture; choose a well-marbled cut for maximum juiciness.
• Bacon: Adds smoky undertones and creates flavorful cooking fat; opt for thick-cut variety for extra crispiness.

• White Onion: Creates aromatic foundation; select firm, bright onions without soft spots.
• Garlic: Intensifies savory profile; fresh cloves deliver more robust taste than pre-minced.
• Coffee: Enhances meat's depth and adds subtle complexity; use freshly brewed dark roast.
• Beef Broth: Contributes moisture and richness; low-sodium versions allow better seasoning control.

• Salt: Balances and elevates overall taste; kosher salt recommended for even distribution.
• Black Pepper: Provides gentle heat; freshly ground offers more vibrant flavor.
• Onion Powder: Introduces concentrated onion essence; store in cool, dark place.
• Tomatoes: Brings acidity and body; San Marzano variety suggested for best results.
• Tabasco Pepper Sauce: Offers optional heat kick; adjust according to personal spice tolerance.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Provides creamy, tangy topping; freshly shredded melts more smoothly.
• Frito Chips: Creates crunchy textural contrast; serves as delightful garnish.

Leftover Advice for Ina Garten Brisket Chili

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover chili in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Extend Flavor Shelf Life: Keeps perfectly in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. The flavors actually intensify and become more delicious over time.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer chili to freezer-safe containers, leaving 1-inch space for expansion. Stays fresh and tasty for up to 3 months when properly sealed.
• Reheat Like a Pro: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm gently on the stovetop. Add a splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent scorching. Stir occasionally to maintain even heating.

Hearty Ina Garten Brisket Chili Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s brisket chili delivers hearty southwestern comfort with rich, slow-cooked flavors. Robust beef and complex spices create a memorable meal for hungry guests seeking authentic southwestern warmth.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3–4 lbs (1.4–1.8 kg) beef brisket, trimmed
• 4 slices thick cut bacon
• 3.5 tbsps Texas chili powder, such as Mexene or Gebhardt’s
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp cumin powder
• 1 quart (4 cups / 946 ml) beef broth
• 28 oz (794 g) whole tomatoes, in juice
• 2 cups white onion, small diced (one large onion)
• 5 garlic cloves, pressed through a garlic press
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp chipotle chile powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup strong black coffee
• Sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
• White onion
• Fritos
• Tabasco sauce
• Jalapenos

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Meticulously trim brisket, removing excess fat and cutting into precise quarter-inch cubes, reserving the point for another culinary endeavor.
2. Bacon Rendering: In a spacious cast-iron pot, crisp bacon until golden-brown, extracting and setting aside on a paper towel-lined plate while preserving the rendered fat.
3. Meat Searing: Elevate stovetop temperature to medium-high, utilizing bacon fat to sear meat cubes in strategic batches, achieving a rich, caramelized exterior and seasoning generously with kosher salt, black pepper, and onion powder.
4. Aromatics Development: Introduce diced white onions in the same pot, encouraging caramelization and scraping the bottom to incorporate flavorful browned remnants, then integrate selected spices and pressed garlic, creating a fragrant base.
5. Liquid Integration: Reintroduce browned meat cubes, pour robust coffee and beef broth, manually crush whole tomatoes, and crumble reserved bacon throughout the mixture, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
6. Slow Simmering: Cover the pot, reduce heat, and allow the chili to simmer gently for 2.5-3 hours, developing deep, complex flavors and monitoring liquid levels by supplementing with additional beef broth as necessary.
7. Final Touches: Optional enhancement with tabasco pepper sauce, then serve garnished with freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, finely minced white onion, and crisp Frito corn chips.

Notes

• Precise Meat Preparation: Trim brisket meticulously, cutting into uniform quarter-inch cubes for consistent cooking and texture.
• Fat Rendering Technique: Use bacon fat for initial searing to build deep, rich flavor foundation in the chili.
• Strategic Batch Browning: Sear meat in batches at medium-high heat to achieve perfect caramelization without overcrowding the pot.
• Flavor Layering Method: Build complexity by incorporating spices, deglazing with coffee and broth, and allowing slow, extended simmering to develop intense taste profiles.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg