Description
Bold, hearty, and rich with flavor, this No Beans Chili is a meaty classic that skips the legumes but delivers everything you love about traditional chili. Packed with ground beef, fire-roasted tomatoes, and savory spices, it’s perfect for game day, weeknight dinners, or any time you crave cozy comfort food.
Ingredients
For the Chili:
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2 tbsp olive oil
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2 lbs ground beef (or ground turkey)
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Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
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1 yellow onion, finely diced
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1 green bell pepper, diced
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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2 tbsp chili powder
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2 tsp ground cumin
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2 tsp dried oregano
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1 tsp smoked paprika
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1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
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1 (28 oz) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes, undrained
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2 cups low sodium beef broth (or 1 cup beer + 1 cup broth)
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1 bay leaf
For Garnish (Optional):
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Shredded cheddar cheese
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Seeded, thinly sliced jalapeños
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Sour cream
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Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
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Sauté vegetables:
In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and green pepper. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until softened. -
Brown meat:
Add ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary. -
Add aromatics & spices:
Stir in garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. -
Incorporate tomatoes & broth:
Mix in tomato paste and cook for another minute. Add fire-roasted tomatoes, broth (or beer and broth), and bay leaf. Stir well to combine. -
Simmer:
Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and let cook uncovered for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavorful.
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Serve:
Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Ladle into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes.
Notes
For extra heat, add cayenne pepper or a diced chipotle pepper in adobo.
This chili thickens as it sits—leftovers are even better the next day.
Great served over rice, baked potatoes, or nachos.
Freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course, Dinner
- Method: Stovetop, Simmering
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
Keywords: no bean chili, beanless chili, keto chili, hearty chili, low carb chili, ground beef chili