Published October 23, 2024

What is Your Secret Ingredient? Celebrate 35 years of the Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff.

Written by The Mount LeConte Team

What is Your Secret Ingredient? Celebrate 35 years of the Gatlinburg Chili Cookoff. header image.

In honor of the Gatlinburg Winter Magic Chili Cookoff and the kick off of the lights in Gatlinburg and throughout the county, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, Winterfest is in full swing.

Visitors and Local alike flock to Gatlinburg for this 35 year tradition in the community. TopHouse leads the way with their awesome music to get the atmosphere cooking and then it's time to taste the chili once those million Christmas Lights are turned on. It's just a really fun atmosphere. The Christmas Spirit, the Mountain Community Spirit, the Community Spirit is all on hand for the festival. Businesses and Organizations will compete for the prize. You can purchase a spoon for $25 and know your donation to the Mountain Ways Organization, helping Hurricane Helene victims is in good hands. What a fun way to give. Ring in the 35th year of the Gatlinburg Chili Cook Off on November 7th.

Although we can't gather for a Chili Cookoff we can do a Recipe Share!

My Dad's Simple Secret Chili

1 small to medium onion, chopped ( prefer sweet)

1 pound ground beef

3 cloves garlic

Brown the ground beef and onions adding the garlic last and then draining all oil from the pan.

Put together all of the following ingredients

2 cans diced petite tomatoes (15 oz)
3/4 can water ( may need a bit more after cooking)
3-4 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cumin

16 oz pinto beans (can use Red Kidney or Black Beans)

Cover and cook low-medium heat for 1 hour.

Uncover and simmer another 30 minutes. add up to 1/4 more can of water if chili is too thick

Add Cocoa Powder about 10 minutes before serving. Important Secret Ingredient, don't leave it out!
1-2 tbsp cocoa powder.

Serve with corn chips, sour cream, green onions, shredded cheese and saltine crackers.

The Gatlinburg Winter Magic, Chili CookOff is sponsored by another local company that is always great to highlight: Bushes Baked Beans.

Whether the Smoky Mountain area becomes your forever home, or, you visit often due to your investment cabin, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and all of the East Tennessee areas are a wonderful place to own a home or a cabin. As experts in the area, our team looks forward to knowing you better. Talk with us anytime. Enjoy some chili on those cold nights this season!