Description
Hearty and flavorful Chili Cheese Loaded Baked Potatoes combine spicy chili with melted cheddar cheese and classic toppings, making the ultimate comfort food perfect for game day or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chili Ingredients
- 2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 small can green chilies
- 1 packet chili seasoning
- 12 oz lager beer
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- Optional: leftover chopped brisket
Baked Potato Ingredients and Toppings
- 4 large russet potatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Cheddar cheese, shredded
- Sour cream
- Green onions, sliced
- Jalapeños (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the beef: In a Dutch oven, brown 2 pounds of 80/20 ground beef over medium heat until fully cooked. Remove the beef and drain any excess fat to avoid greasiness in the chili.
- Sauté vegetables and season: In the same Dutch oven, cook the diced green bell pepper and onion for 5-6 minutes until softened. Stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, a small can of green chilies, and 1 packet of chili seasoning. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes to develop flavors.
- Add beef and liquids: Return the browned beef to the pot. Pour in 12 oz of lager beer and allow it to simmer so the beer soaks in and creates a rich sauce. Next, add 1 can of tomato sauce and 1 can of crushed tomatoes. If desired, stir in leftover chopped brisket for extra texture and flavor.
- Slow cook on smoker: Place the Dutch oven on a smoker set to 250°F. Let the chili cook for 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
- Prepare baked potatoes: Meanwhile, wash the russet potatoes thoroughly and pat them dry. Poke holes on each side of the potatoes using a fork. Wrap each potato tightly in foil, then bake in a preheated oven at 400°F for 45 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft and fully cooked.
- Assemble the loaded baked potatoes: Once baked, cut open each potato lengthwise. Ladle warm chili over the open potatoes, then generously top with shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, sliced green onions, and jalapeños if desired. Serve immediately for a comforting and delicious meal.
Notes
- For extra richness, add leftover chopped brisket to the chili.
- If you don’t have a smoker, the chili can be slow cooked on a stovetop on low heat for 2 hours.
- Jalapeños are optional but add a nice heat and crunch.
- Russet potatoes are preferred for their fluffy interior once baked.
- To speed up cooking, microwave the potatoes for 5-7 minutes before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chili, loaded baked potato, comfort food, game day recipe, beef chili, smoked chili
