Kansas City BBQ Smoked Brisket Chili

This is the best possible fate for yesterday's smoked brisket. If you've got burnt ends or leftover brisket from the smoker, this chili turns them into something arguably even better — because that hard-won smoke flavor doesn't just survive the pot, it saturates every bite of it. Kansas City-style barbecue sauce brings the sweet, tomatoey, molasses-rich profile the city is famous for, chipotles add a smoky heat that echoes the brisket, and a little brown sugar and cider vinegar keep the sweet-and-tangy balance right where KC likes it. No smoker? It's worth buying brisket burnt ends just to make it. Pure barbecue-belt comfort in a bowl.

Cornbread or white bread and pickles lean into the barbecue-joint feel; extra BBQ sauce and pickled jalapeños on top suit it.

No smoked brisket? Any smoked leftover (pulled pork, smoked chicken) works, or add extra smoked paprika and a chopped chipotle to fake the smoke. Watch the sweetness — barbecue sauces vary a lot.