This easy beanless low-carb chili recipe is for those who love chili but don't love beans or the carbs that come with them! Full of protein and all the flavors of a traditional chili this easy chili recipe will sure to become a family favorite.
If you are looking for a chili that does have beans in it I have a super easy chili recipe that you will enjoy. If you make this recipe when there is fresh snow on the ground I would shake up a few snow day margaritas to go with your meal. Or for those without snow or those who want a lower carb margarita option I have a keto margarita recipe for you!
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🍽️ Why we love this recipe:
- By not having beans in the chili my son will actually eat it! I know there are parents out there with picky eaters and you know exactly what I am talking about.
- I can serve this chili to my carb counting friends when they come over. Everyone loves it!
- Switch up the heat by adding different spices to meet your taste. See suggestions below.
- Garnish away! Personilize your bowl with all your favorite chili toppings.
- Ground Beef - I use 80/20 ground beef
- onion, diced
- garlic, minced
- chili powder
- paprika
- ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- beer (porter or other dark, rich beer) - omit if going low carb or use a low carb beer.
- diced tomatoes and green chilies (think RoTel)
- crushed tomatoes
🍳 Stovetop directions:
- In a heavy bottom large skillet, brown the ground beef.
- Leave the rendered fat in the pan and saute the onions in the fat and meat.
- Add the garlic and stir for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
- Skim the fat off the meat, if desired.
- Sprinkle in the seasonings and stir to warm the spices.
- Add 1 ½ of the beers to the meat. Drink the other ½ beer.
- Add the tomatoes & diced chilies and the crushed tomatoes.
- Bring to a simmer and reduce for 30-45 minutes.
- Serve with garnishes of your choice.
🌶️ Make it more spicy:
I have this recipe spiced to my family's taste but you might want a bit more heat. Here are some suggestions for you to kick up the spice in your chili. Add one or all of them. This is YOUR chili. Make it to YOUR tastes.
- ¼ tsp. cayenne
- Sprinkle red pepper flakes
- substitute in Medium or Hot RoTel for the traditional
🍅 What do you serve on top of chili?
I love to garnish beanless chili with a variety of toppings. Each bite is full of different flavors. Here are beanless chilling toppings:
- Minced Onion
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour Cream
- Cilantro
- Fritos (omit if you are low carb)
- Tortilla chips, broken (omit if you are low carb)
- Lime wedge
♨️ Variation: crock-pot instructions
- In a heavy bottom pan, brown the ground beef.
- Leave the rendered fat in the pan and saute the onions in the fat and meat.
- Add the garlic and stir for 1 minute.
- Skim the fat off the meat, if desired.
- Sprinkle in the seasonings and stir to warm the spices.
- Add 1 ½ of the beers to the meat. Drink the other ½ beer.
- Add the tomatoes & diced chilies and the crushed tomatoes.
- Transfer to a slow cooker / crock-pot and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3.
- Adjust the seasoning before serving.
📝 Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:
Be sure the chili has been cooled to at least room temperature by chilling it in an ice bath. Store in freezer-safe containers removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
I reheat chili in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. If a stove is not available, reheat the chili in the microwave in a microwave-safe container on 50% heat for 1 minute, stirring halfway through and heating until reaching the desired temperature.
Beanless Chili Recipe
There is more to a recipe than just the recipe card. Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. Ground Beef
1 onion (diced)- 2 clove garlic (minced)
- 2 Tbsp. chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- Salt to taste
- 2 12 ounce beer (porter or other dark, rich beer)
- 1 can (10 oz of diced tomatoes and green chilies (think RoTel))
- 1 can (15 oz of crushed tomatoes)
Instructions
- In a heavy bottom pan, brown the ground beef.
- Leave the rendered fat in the pan and saute the onions in the fat and meat.
- Add the garlic and stir for 1 minute.
- Skim the fat off the meat, if desired.
- Sprinkle in the seasonings and stir to warm the spices.
- Add 1 ½ of the beers to the meat. Drink the other ½ beer.
- Add the tomatoes & diced chilies and the crushed tomatoes.
- Bring to a simmer and reduce for 30-45 minutes.
Notes
- In a heavy bottom pan, brown the ground beef.
- Leave the rendered fat in the pan and saute the onions in the fat and meat.
- Add the garlic and stir for 1 minute.
- Skim the fat off the meat, if desired.
- Sprinkle in the seasonings and stir to warm the spices.
- Add 1 ½ of the beers to the meat. Drink the other ½ beer.
- Add the tomatoes & diced chilies and the crushed tomatoes.
- Transfer to a slow cooker / crock-pot and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3.
- Adjust the seasoning before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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Sarah
I know! Right!? Got to test the ingredients for quality!
Bec
Drinking the beer definitely got me in!!! Love it!!!
Sarah
You are going to LOVE it on Nachos.Glad I could share this recipe with you.
Julie Menghini
We love our chili super thick like this and the hubby says beanless, please! He's going to love this one and I'm thinking of making some amazing nachos with it. I can't wait to try. Thank you for such a great recipe!
Jenn
Fantastic flavors! We love ours with a little extra heat - perfecto!