This chili recipe without beans It’s full of flavor and protein, with no added beans! The perfect one-pot meal to prepare on a cool, cold night that the whole family will love.
Get to know this dreamy carnivorous chili recipe! Seriously, have you always wanted a hot bowl of chili but wanted to save the beans? I’ve got you covered. This carnivore-friendly chili recipe doesn’t have beans, but it still packs a big punch.
Sometimes called “Texas Chili.” I’ve developed this bean-free chili recipe to satisfy anyone who isn’t a bean lover (aka my husband). I love chili season, but my husband would prefer that I not fill it with beans during the cold winter months. I thought I’d create the best of both worlds with this chili recipe: no beans! It’s hearty and tasty without the magic fruit that makes you…
Let’s talk about why you NEED to make this recipe.
Why make this recipe?
a pot – Everything can be cooked in one pot, making it perfect for those busy nights when the last thing you need is a bunch of dishes.
Paleo + Whole 30-Friendly – Doing all 30 this month? This recipe is perfect for you! There are no beans or cereals. Simply vegetables, meat and spices!
Easy Meal Prep – Make a batch of this bean-free chili at the beginning of the week for easy lunches or dinners. You can also freeze leftovers for a future meal!
Chili ingredients without beans
- Ground meat – I like to use 85% lean beef in this recipe as it needs a little fat for flavor. That being said, feel free to substitute any ground meat you prefer.
- Olive oil – for cooking beef and vegetables.
- onion + garlic – important aromatics that are the basis of the flavors in this beanless chili recipe.
- Pimento – I like to use red pepper, but feel free to use any color pepper you want.
- jalapeno – Feel free to omit it if you don’t like spiciness or increase the spiciness by leaving the seeds in.
- chili powder – DO NOT confuse with cayenne pepper. Chili powder is a spice blend that you can find in most supermarkets.
- Ground cumin + paprika – I like to use smoked paprika, but you can use sweet or regular paprika if that’s all you can find.
- diced tomatoes – 1 large can of diced tomatoes. Crushed tomatoes will also work.
- beef broth – you can use any type of broth but I like the taste of beef broth. Water will also work in a pinch.
- Salt + Pepper – feel free to adjust to taste and sodium preferences.
How to make this chili recipe without beans
STEP 1: BROWNED MEAT
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned (about 3-4 minutes).
STEP 2: COOK VEGETABLES
Add the onions and cook for 3 more minutes. Add the garlic, bell peppers, and jalapeno and cook for another 2 minutes. Top with chili powder, cumin and paprika and toss to coat the meat and vegetables.
STEP 3: COOK ON Low Heat
Pour in the diced tomatoes and beef broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes, uncovered, or until desired consistency is reached. Season with salt and pepper.
STEP 4: OVERCOME + SERVE
Top with desired toppings and serve.
The best chili seasonings
The best thing about chili is that it is a complete meal in one. I love serving a large bowl and topping it with a variety of toppings. Here are some of the ones we rotate:
- tortilla chips
- sliced avocado
- sour cream or Greek yogurt
- grated cheese
- green onions
- cilantro
You also can’t go wrong serving it together sweet potato cornbread or pumpkin cornbread.
Frequently asked questions
Yeah! You’ll want to sauté the meat first (about 3 minutes in sauté mode with olive oil) and then cover with all the other ingredients. Pressure cook on HIGH for 8 minutes and then let steam release for 10 to 15 minutes. Enjoy!
Yeah! You’ll want to first brown the meat and vegetables on the stove, then add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 6 hours.
You can substitute any ground meat or meat mixture in place of beef.
Storage instructions
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or on the counter for several hours.
Reheat leftovers in the microwave or on the stove.
More chili recipes:
Chili recipe without beans
This bean-free chili recipe is packed with flavor and protein, without added beans! The perfect one-pot meal to prepare on a cool, cold night that the whole family will love.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound of ground beef (85% lean)
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 bell peppers, seedless + chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 x 28 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add the onions and cook for 3 more minutes.
- Add the garlic, bell peppers, and jalapeno and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Top with chili powder, cumin and paprika and toss to coat the meat and vegetables.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes and beef broth and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes, uncovered, or until desired consistency is reached.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Top with desired toppings and serve or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. See instructions above for freezing.
