Prepare to discover your new favorite chili recipe! This exceptional low carb chili is not only remarkably delicious but also incredibly simple to prepare, making it a perfect addition to your weekly meal plan. Crafted with a rich blend of aromatic spices and everyday pantry ingredients, this chili offers a deep, satisfying flavor without a single bean. That means you get all the robust taste you crave with significantly fewer carbohydrates, making it ideal for anyone embracing a low-carb or ketogenic lifestyle. Forget long simmering times; this hearty, bean-free chili brings dinner to the table in about an hour, proving that healthy eating can be both quick and incredibly satisfying.

Close-up of a white bowl containing deep red low carb chili topped with a large dollop of sour cream, thick shreds of yellow cheddar cheese, diced purple onion, and chopped parsley.

Contents

Ultimate Low Carb Chili: Your New Go-To Bean-Free Recipe

Craving a warm, comforting bowl of chili but sticking to a low-carb diet? Look no further! This bean-free low carb chili recipe delivers all the classic flavors and hearty satisfaction without the added carbs of traditional beans. Whether you’re following a ketogenic diet, paleo, Whole30, or simply aiming to reduce your carbohydrate intake, this recipe is a game-changer. It’s packed with savory ground beef, vibrant tomatoes, and a carefully balanced blend of spices that will tantalize your taste buds. This isn’t just a “good for low carb” chili; it’s genuinely a fantastic chili, period.

Why This Low Carb Chili Will Become Your Favorite

There are countless reasons to fall in love with this low carb chili. It stands out not only for its incredible flavor but also for its versatility and ease of preparation. Here’s why we think it’s a recipe you’ll return to again and again:

Perfectly Aligned with Low-Carb & Keto Lifestyles: This chili is meticulously crafted without any beans, making it an excellent choice for anyone committed to a low-carb diet. Traditional chili recipes often rely heavily on beans, which can quickly add up in carbohydrates. By omitting them, we create a rich, meat-forward chili that’s naturally low in carbs. For those on a strict ketogenic diet, simply omit the onions, or replace them with a small amount of onion powder, and you’ll have a delicious, compliant keto chili that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture.
An Explosion of Unbeatable Flavor: Don’t let the simplicity of the ingredients fool you. This chili is a powerhouse of flavor, thanks to a thoughtful combination of ground cumin, robust chili powder, and smoky paprika. These warm spices are beautifully complemented by fresh aromatics like onion and garlic, and a savory beef broth that deepens every spoonful. The result is a complex, rich, and incredibly satisfying chili that tastes like it simmered all day. While it’s intensely flavorful, it’s not overly spicy, making it enjoyable for most palates. You can always adjust the chili powder to your preferred heat level.
Quick & Convenient for Busy Weeknights: While we all appreciate a chili that simmers for hours, sometimes time is of the essence. This low carb chili recipe is designed for efficiency, delivering a delicious, hearty meal to your table in approximately 1 hour from start to finish. This makes it an ideal option for busy weeknights when you need a wholesome, home-cooked meal without spending endless hours in the kitchen. It’s quick enough for a spontaneous dinner, yet impressive enough to satisfy serious chili cravings.
Exceptional for Meal Prepping & Freezing: Planning meals ahead just got easier! This chili freezes beautifully, retaining its delicious flavor and comforting texture even after thawing. It’s an ideal candidate for batch cooking. Simply prepare a large quantity, allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe bags or airtight containers. For space efficiency, lay freezer bags flat until the chili is frozen solid, then stack them upright. This convenient option ensures you always have a healthy, homemade meal on hand, ready to be reheated for a quick lunch or dinner anytime you need it.

Chef’s Expert Tips for the Best Low Carb Chili

Elevate your chili game with these insightful tips from the pros. Whether you’re looking to save time or enhance the nutritional value, these adjustments can make a big difference:

Transform it into a Slow Cooker Delight: If you have a bit more time and prefer a “set it and forget it” approach, this recipe is easily adaptable for your Crockpot or slow cooker. You’ll still want to kick things off on the stovetop by sautéing your onions and garlic until softened and then browning the ground beef. This crucial step develops flavor and ensures a rich base. After draining any excess fat, transfer the beef mixture and all other chili ingredients (excluding fresh toppings) to your slow cooker. Stir everything together, cover, and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours. For optimal flavor distribution and to prevent anything from sticking, give the chili a good stir every 30-60 minutes.
Supercharge Flavor and Nutrients with Bone Broth: For a significant boost in both flavor and nutritional content, consider swapping traditional beef broth for high-quality beef bone broth. Bone broth is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, and collagen. Incorporating it into your low carb chili not only enriches the savory depth of the dish but also provides an easy and delicious way to add beneficial nutrients to your diet. You can find excellent bone broth options at most grocery stores, or for an even more rewarding experience, try making it yourself at home. Our sister site, 40 Aprons, offers fantastic recipes for various methods, including Instant Pot Bone Broth, Crockpot Bone Broth, and classic Stovetop Bone Broth. There’s a method for every kitchen and preference!

On a table: two white bowls containing deep red low carb chili topped with a large dollop of sour cream, thick shreds of yellow cheddar cheese, diced purple onion, and chopped parsley.

The Art of Bean-Free Chili: Why It’s a Game-Changer

While beans are a staple in many traditional chili recipes, opting for a bean-free version isn’t just about carb reduction; it’s about embracing a different kind of chili experience. Without beans, the focus shifts entirely to the rich, savory meat and the complex spice blend, allowing these flavors to shine even more intensely. This creates a denser, more concentrated chili with a luxuriously thick texture that truly satisfies. For those who find beans difficult to digest or simply prefer a meatier consistency, bean-free chili is a revelation. It’s also incredibly versatile, serving as a hearty meal on its own, a fantastic topping for hot dogs or baked potatoes (or low-carb alternatives like roasted cauliflower), or even a flavorful base for other dishes.

Choosing the Right Ingredients for a Stellar Chili

The success of any great recipe often comes down to the quality of its components. For this low carb chili, a few key ingredient choices can elevate your final dish:

Ground Beef: We recommend using 85/15 ground beef. This ratio provides enough fat for flavor and moisture without making the chili overly greasy. You want enough fat to render down and contribute to the richness of the chili, but not so much that you have to drain excessive amounts.
Tomatoes: A 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes is the backbone of this chili’s tang and body. Do not drain them; the liquid is essential for the chili’s consistency and flavor. Look for high-quality, fire-roasted diced tomatoes for an extra layer of depth, or simply choose your favorite brand. Ensure your diced tomatoes and tomato paste have no added sugars if you’re strictly following a keto diet.
Spices: Freshness matters! Make sure your chili powder, ground cumin, and smoked paprika aren’t past their prime. Fresh spices offer more vibrant aromas and flavors, which are crucial for this bean-free recipe where every ingredient plays a vital role.
Broth: As mentioned, beef bone broth is a fantastic choice for added nutrients and flavor, but a good quality low-sodium beef broth works perfectly too. Low-sodium allows you to control the salt content precisely.

Customizing Your Low Carb Chili

This recipe is a fantastic starting point, but don’t hesitate to make it your own! Here are a few ideas for customization:

Heat It Up: If you love a spicier chili, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper, a dash of hot sauce, or a finely minced jalapeño (remove seeds for less heat) when you add the other spices.
Add More Veggies: While it’s bean-free, you can incorporate other low-carb vegetables for added nutrients and texture. Diced bell peppers (green, red, or yellow), zucchini, or even finely chopped mushrooms can be added alongside the onions and garlic.
Alternate Proteins: While ground beef is classic, feel free to experiment with ground turkey, ground chicken, or a blend of ground meats for a different flavor profile.
Herb Boost: A sprinkle of fresh cilantro or parsley at the end can brighten up the flavors and add a fresh finish.

Discover More Amazing Carb-Friendly Recipes!

If you’re enjoying the delicious benefits of a low-carb lifestyle, you’ll love exploring these other fantastic recipes from our collection:

Keto Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole
Chicken Savoy
Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla-Less Soup (with Slow Cooker Option)
Sausage & Egg Keto Breakfast Casserole
Egg Roll in a Bowl with Creamy Chili Sauce
Keto Smothered Pork Chops
Deviled Egg Salad
Air Fryer Frozen Green Beans

5 from 12 votes

Low Carb Chili (No Beans!)

Prep:
15 minutes

Cook:
45 minutes

Total:
50 minutes

This easy low carb chili is super satisfying, filled with hearty, flavorful ingredients and just the right amount of spice.

Cheryl Malik

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8
servings

Ingredients

For the Low Carb Chili

1-2 tablespoons neutral oil (avocado oil, olive oil, etc.)
1 cup finely chopped onion (white or red onion, approximately ½ of 1 medium onion)
1 ½ tablespoons finely minced fresh garlic (more or less to taste)
2 pounds ground beef (85/15 recommended)
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
¼ cup tomato paste
¼ cup chili powder (more or less to taste)
2 tablespoons ground cumin (more or less to taste)
1 tablespoon salt (more or less to taste)
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (more or less to taste)
½ teaspoon smoked paprika (more or less to taste)
1 cup low-sodium beef broth

Serving Suggestions (All Optional)

shredded cheddar cheese
chopped onion
sour cream
low carb cornbread or keto cornbread

Equipment

large, heavy-bottomed pot or dutch oven
large wooden spoon

Instructions

Place a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven on the stovetop over medium heat. Once the pot is warm, add 1-2 tablespoons of neutral oil (such as avocado or olive oil) and heat until shimmering. Occasionally tilt or swirl the pot to ensure the oil coats the entire surface evenly.
When the oil is hot, add 1 cup of finely chopped onion and 1 ½ tablespoons of finely minced fresh garlic to the pot. Sauté the garlic and onions for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the onions have softened and become translucent, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Once the onions have softened, add 2 pounds of ground beef to the pot. Cook the ground beef, using a large wooden spoon to break it up into small, even pieces, until the meat is just browned all over.
Carefully drain any excess liquid or fat from the pot, reserving only the browned ground beef, sautéed onions, and garlic. This step ensures your chili isn’t greasy.
Return the pot to the heat and add the 1 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes (with its liquid), ¼ cup of tomato paste, ¼ cup of chili powder, 2 tablespoons of ground cumin, 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper, ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika, and 1 cup of low-sodium beef broth. Stir thoroughly to fully combine all the ingredients and ensure no lumps of tomato paste remain.
Once all ingredients are fully incorporated, reduce the heat under the pot to medium-low. Allow the mixture to simmer gently, uncovered, for at least 20 minutes. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld beautifully and helps the chili thicken to your desired consistency. You can simmer it longer for an even richer flavor.
After simmering for the desired length of time, taste the chili. Adjust the seasoning as needed by adding more chili powder, ground cumin, salt, pepper, and/or smoked paprika to achieve your perfect flavor profile. Stir well to incorporate any newly added ingredients.
Once satisfied with the chili’s flavor, portion it into individual serving bowls. Top with your favorite garnishes such as shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, chopped fresh parsley, or any other toppings of choice. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Leftovers: Ensure any leftover chili cools completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat frozen chili, defrost it in the refrigerator overnight, then warm it on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave.
Make it Keto: To ensure this chili is strictly keto-friendly, omit the chopped onion. To maintain a similar flavor depth, replace the fresh onion with ½-1 tablespoon of onion powder, added in step 5 along with the other dry spices. Additionally, always check the labels of your diced tomatoes and tomato paste to confirm they do not contain any added sweeteners or sugars.

Nutrition Information

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.