The Absolute BEST Low Carb Chili Recipe (No Bean Chili) (2024)

Jump to Recipe

Celebrate Game Day with this hearty Beef Chili Recipe. This Low Carb Chili is full of flavor, perfect for warming you up on cold winter days, and is especially great for a potluck party.

You can stick to your low carb/keto plan, and no one will know your chili is low carb!

The Absolute BEST Low Carb Chili Recipe (No Bean Chili) (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why you need to try this No Bean Chili Recipe
  • Why I Love This Low Carb Chili
  • Ingredients at a Glance
  • Tips and Tricks for Serving to Non-Low Carbers:
  • Crock-Pot Instructions
  • Freezing Instructions
  • How Many Carbs in this Chili
  • More Low Carb Recipes
  • Recipe Card

The Best Low Carb Chili for Game Day (or any day)!

It’s January, and you know what that means… Football and game day parties!

We moved into a smaller temporary home and aren’t planning a big party this year. (I say “temporary,” but, it’s already been eight months, and we have at least eight more months to go… I’ll tell you more in another post.) So for the Big Game, we’re keeping our guest list small.

I’ll be cooking up all sorts of low-carb appetizers, including this beef chili recipe.

The good thing about small get-togethers is it’s so much easier to get ready for. A few snacks, plus this Low Carb Chili recipe is all you need. Our guests will bring their favorite chips and dips, so everybody gets the foods they love.

The Absolute BEST Low Carb Chili Recipe (No Bean Chili) (2)

Why you need to try this No Bean Chili Recipe:

When it comes to Chili Recipes, I’ve always been a “beans in my chili recipe” type girl, but since I’m trying to stick to my lower-carb/keto eating plan right now, I need a low carb chili recipe option!

  • This no-bean chili recipe is great for gatherings and is perfect for the low-carbers and regular-carbers alike! The chili is so flavorful; I promise you won’t even miss the beans!
  • This chili recipe is mild, which is how the kids and I like our chili. However, my hubby likes a bit of kick to his food. The beauty of this recipe is that you can add as much heat as you like. For my hubby, he adds a pinch of cayenne and tops his bowl with jalapenos
  • It really hits the spot when it’s cold out and it’s a perfect dish for low carb eaters and their non-low carb eating friends! (Because who doesn’t love chili?)
The Absolute BEST Low Carb Chili Recipe (No Bean Chili) (3)

Why I Love This Low Carb Chili:

You would think a commercially prepared, ready-to-eat, no bean chili would be naturally low carb, but have you ever checked out the nutrient info on the back of a can of chili?

Hormel No Bean Beef Chili, for example, (which I have always enjoyed) has 19 grams of carbs per serving. That’s a lot of carbs!

My low carb chili recipe is a delicious keto chili that cuts the carbs down to around 6 net carbs per serving. Those carbs are coming from the tomatoes, onions, and peppers, but I don’t recommend leaving them out as they add a lot of flavor to the chili.

A reader even left me a comment that they won “best mild chili” with this recipe at their office chili cook-off! Yay!

The Absolute BEST Low Carb Chili Recipe (No Bean Chili) (4)

Ingredients Needed to Make this Chili Recipe:

Want to give this low carb chili recipe a shot? You won’t regret it! These are the ingredients: (At a glance- grab the full list and printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.)

  • Ground Beef | Just 1 pound, but you can double or triple this recipe with no problem. I prefer leaner ground beef so there will be less fat to drain off.
  • Produce | Bell pepper (your favorite color) and an onion.
  • Pantry items: diced green chiles (I always use canned), tomato sauce, beef broth, tomato paste
  • Spices | Cumin, celery salt, chili powder, salt, and pepper (you could cheat and just use twotbs of a chili spice mix in place of the4 spices.) Worcestershire sauce.

How to Make Low Carb Chili:

You’ll love how easy this low carb chili recipe is to make!

Just brown your meat, toss in the onion, bell pepper, chiles, and tomato products, plus the spices, and let it simmer for 30 minutes to an hour.

The longer it simmers, the less liquid-y it will be, plus it helps the flavor meld together! You also have the option to kick up the spiciness by adding a pinch or two of cayenne. Since we feed this to the kids, I always leave out the extra spice.

Tips and Tricks for Serving to Non-Low Carbers:

Is not everyone in your family or friend group into low carb or keto? To keep everyone happy and satisfied I do have a few tricks I use when serving this chili to the family.

  • Since beans are actually good for you, and they are one of the few veggies my son will eat without complaint, I will heat up a can of pre-seasoned chili beans and add about a quarter cup to the bottom of the kid’s bowls. (or just serve them on the side, and guests can add however much they want. I then top the beans with the chili, cheese, and whatever other toppings they want.
  • Another option is to precook several baked potatoes and offer the option of a chili cheese baked potato. You might be surprised how many will go for this option when offered.
  • The third option is to just make another recipe, lol. I have two great chili recipe alternatives: Panera Turkey Chili (copycat version) and a Slow Cooker Beef Chili (with beans).

Options 1 and 2 work perfectly and help the chili go further, too!

Can I Make this Low Carb Chili Recipe in a Crock-Pot?

Yes, of course! This chili is great in the slow cooker too.

I love my crockpot for dishes like this. This chili recipe works perfectly in the slow cooker for days you know you’ll have a good 8 hours away from the kitchen. Nothing better than coming home tired and hungry and having an on-plan hot meal waiting for you.

To make this easy low carb chili in the crockpot, you will need to saute the garlic, peppers, and onions in with the ground beef before adding them to the slow cooker. Once that’s done though, you just toss everything into the crockpot for 8 hours on low.

If at the end of the 8 hours, your chili is still too liquidy, you can remove the lid and let it simmer for another 30 minutes to an hour to help the liquid cook out.

Can You Freeze This Low Carb Chili Recipe?

Yes, you can definitely freeze this Chili. Let chili cool significantly, and package it up into smaller servings in a freezer bag, taking care to remove all the air from the bag. Then when ready to eat, microwave it on medium power until defrosted. Transfer to a bowl and continue to heat until warmed through.

How Many Carbs are in Chili:

The carb count in chili recipes will vary from chili to chili based on the ingredients used. If you are trying to stick to a strict low-carb plan, you definitely don’t want to use a commercially prepared no-bean chili. (Wolf Brand no-bean chili has 18 carbs per serving!)

My low carb chili recipe, prepared as directed below, has 8 carbs and 2 grams of fiber (so if you follow the net carb idea, that’s only 6 carbs!)

Most of the carbs come from the tomato sauce, peppers, and onions.

(Important tip: I don’t recommend lowering the amount of any of these ingredients as they really contribute to the flavor.)

More LOW CARB Recipes You Might Like:

  • Low Carb Chili Dog Casserole
  • Low Carb Enchilada Soup
  • Avocado and Bacon Chicken Salad
  • Beer Marinated Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe
  • Favorite Broccoli Salad Recipe

Pin this Chili Recipe Here:

The Absolute BEST Low Carb Chili Recipe (No Bean Chili) (6)

Let us know what you think!

Print

The Absolute BEST Low Carb Chili Recipe (No Bean Chili) (7)

Low Carb Chili Recipe

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star5 from 89 reviews

  • Author: Jamie Sanders
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 75 minutes
  • Yield: 5 servings 1x
  • Category: chili
  • Method: stovetop
Print Recipe

Description

This low carb chili has all the classic chili flavors you love, but without the beans (so it’s low in carbs.) It’s hearty, flavorful and perfect for those cold winter nights.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)
  • 1 large bell pepper (your favorite color)
  • about 1 cup onion, diced (use more if you like sauteed onion)
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp salt (You could cheat and just use 2 tbs of a chili spice mix in place of the 4 spices above.)
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire
  • 1/2 tsp celery salt
  • 4 oz can dicedgreen chiles
  • 1 cup of tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbs tomato paste

Instructions

  1. Combine the ground beef, onions, bell peppers and garlic in large frying pan and sauté until ground beef is browned. Drain fat.
  2. Add spices, Worcestershire, diced green chiles, tomato sauce, tomato paste and broth to the pan. stir to combine and simmer for 30 minutes to an hour.
  3. Give chili a taste, add additional cumin, chili powder and additional cayenne if desired.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/5 of recipe
  • Calories: 316
  • Sugar: 5
  • Fat: 16
  • Carbohydrates: 8
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 33

Don't miss any more posts!

The Absolute BEST Low Carb Chili Recipe (No Bean Chili) (8)

Follow along on:

Feedly,Bloglovin', your favorite feed reader, or signing up via email and have new posts delivered to your email box each week!

About the AuthorJamie Sanders is a wife and mom of 2, located in the heart of Texas. She founded Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom in 2011 as a place to share creative ideas and family friendly recipes. Her work has been featured on Martha Stewart, Woman’s World, HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, CNET, Good Housekeeping, Yahoo, Oprah Daily, and Redbook, plus many other publications. To date, she had given away just under a million free pdf sewing patterns.
The Absolute BEST Low Carb Chili Recipe (No Bean Chili) (2024)

FAQs

What is a good low-carb substitute for beans in chili? ›

What can I substitute for beans in keto chili? - Quora. In keto chili, you can substitute beans with low-carb alternatives such as diced bell peppers, diced zucchini, or cauliflower florets.

How many carbs are in homemade chili without beans? ›

Chili without beans, with meat, homemade (1 cup) contains 12.8g total carbs, 8.1g net carbs, 10.6g fat, 16.6g protein, and 206 calories.

Can I eat chili on a low-carb diet? ›

Is chili keto-friendly? Classic bean-based chili is not keto-friendly, as beans are high in carbohydrates. Luckily you can still make a keto-friendly chili without the beans. All of the traditional chili spices, such as chili powder, ground cumin and smoked paprika, are great flavor-boosters for keto foods.

What can I put in chilli instead of beans? ›

Replacing up to 2 cups chopped vegetables is a great choice and one of the best substitutes – Cauliflower florets, broccoli florets, bell pepper, white or portobello mushrooms, sweet peas or split peas, carrots, zucchini or butternut squash.

Is chili healthier with or without beans? ›

"The beans will also bump up the fiber, magnesium, and folic acid, and they may help to increase the body's good (HDL) cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and fight inflammation." Mix and match bean types in your chili for more varied nutrients.

How do you thicken chili without carbs? ›

A low-carb thickener for chili could be xanthan gum or glucomannan powder. Both of these are low-carb, keto-friendly thickeners that can be used in small amounts to thicken chili without adding carbs.

Why is chili so high in carbs? ›

Even savory dishes like chili can contain sugar from ketchup and tomatoes, and tons of beans that are packed with carbohydrates. Even some spice mixes come with fillers that can increase the carb count of your meal.

Which beans have the lowest carbohydrates? ›

Highest and Lowest Carb Beans

Among these, black soybeans and green beans have the lowest carbs, potentially making them better for a keto diet. On the other hand, chickpeas, pinto beans, and navy beans have high carbs. You might want to avoid these if you're strictly following a keto diet.

Can diabetics eat chili? ›

Some studies have indicated that the consumption of chilli-containing foods can influence iron absorption and affect serum insulin and glucose concentrations, which may help to alleviate diabetes or prediabetes.

Is celery keto? ›

Celery. Celery's got about one gram of carbs per stalk, which definitely makes it keto-friendly. It also contains a solid amount of folate, potassium, and vitamin C, and it has a decent amount of water in it.

Are chickpeas keto? ›

Chickpeas. Roasted chickpeas may be a favorite trendy snack, but they probably won't fit in a keto diet. One cup of cooked garbanzos has 12.5 g of fiber — but it also has more than 32 g of net carbs, according to USDA data. Hummus is a better choice, with under 3 g of net carbs per 2 tablespoons, per USDA data.

Is peanut butter keto? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

Why do people make chilli without beans? ›

But many people have dietary issues with beans or would rather not have them. Plus, some people just don't like the texture or flavor. If you're nodding your head right now, then this is the chili for you! It has the perfect balance of tomato, beef, aromatics, and spice.

Why does Texas chili not have beans? ›

If you go pretty much anywhere in Texas you will find chili ingredients simple and rarely differing: meat, sauce, peppers and spices. Carol Hancock, President and CEO of the International Chili Society, told Texas Living there is a specific reason why Texas chili contains no beans: it's tradition.

What is a low-carb substitute for beans? ›

Several other low carb veggies can serve as an adequate substitute for beans in soup recipes, too. You likely have one or two options in your pantry, fridge, or freezer. Mushrooms, eggplant, boiled peanuts, and ground meat can be substituted for beans in soup, stew, and chili recipes.

What kind of beans can you eat on a low-carb diet? ›

Among these, black soybeans and green beans have the lowest carbs, potentially making them better for a keto diet. On the other hand, chickpeas, pinto beans, and navy beans have high carbs. You might want to avoid these if you're strictly following a keto diet.

What can I eat instead of beans on keto? ›

Most beans are too high in carbohydrates for the keto diet, but some may be a good fit — namely, green beans, lupin beans, and black soybeans. You can also consider some alternatives to beans for recipes like chili and soup, such as mushrooms, eggplant, squash, or sausage.

What beans are allowed on slow carb diet? ›

When looking to add more slow-burning carbs to your diet, you can't go wrong with legumes, which include mature beans and peas. Kidney beans, butter beans, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, navy beans, lentils and yellow split peas all make good choices.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Last Updated:

Views: 6532

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Birthday: 1998-02-19

Address: 64841 Delmar Isle, North Wiley, OR 74073

Phone: +17844167847676

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: LARPing, Kitesurfing, Sewing, Digital arts, Sand art, Gardening, Dance

Introduction: My name is Amb. Frankie Simonis, I am a hilarious, enchanting, energetic, cooperative, innocent, cute, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.