Easy Keto Chili without Beans (Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Recipes) - Green and Keto (2024)

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You’ll love this recipe for delicious keto chili made with ground beef — and get this — no beans. It’s easy to throw together in your Crockpot or Instant Pot. And bonus — it’s perfect to make for freezer meals, too. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Easy Keto Chili without Beans (Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Recipes) - Green and Keto (1)

Keto Beef Chili without Beans

Chili is one of those dishes that elicits very strong opinions from food lovers! Some cooks love beans in their chili, some love tomatoes. And others believe that the only real chili is “Texas style” chili with no beans or tomatoes.

This keto-style chili, in my humble opinion, has some of the best of both camps. It’s made with ground beef, some tomatoes and onions, and get’s its delicious flavor from a blend of chilis. But, to keep it low-carb, it’s made without beans.

Is Chili keto?

What does it mean for a chili recipe to be keto-friendly?

With a ketogenic diet, you are going for a diet that is very low in carbs, high in fat, and medium in protein. Most people on keto average around 20-30 grams of carbohydrates a day — maybe a bit more if you are in maintenance mode. Keeping that in mind, I developed a recipe for keto chili that has roughly 7 grams of carbs per serving, before toppings.

Beans on the Keto Diet

Beans are generally avoided on the keto diet. Legumes, beans, and lentils are high in fiber and very nutritious. However, as starchy grains, their high carb count won’t help you reach the state of nutritional ketosis.

Depending on your personal goals, you may be able to include small amounts of beans on alowcarbdiet. Here are thecarbcounts for one cup of cookedbeansand legumes:

  • Peas: 25 grams of carbs, 9 grams fiber, 14 net carbs
  • Lentils: 40 grams of carbs, 16 grams fiber, 24 net carbs
  • Black beans: 41 grams of carbs, 15 grams fiber, 26 net carbs
  • Kidney beans: 40 grams of carbs, 13 grams fiber, 27 net carbs
  • Pinto beans: 45 grams of carbs, 15 grams fiber, 30 net carbs
  • Chickpeas: 45 grams of carbs, 12 grams fiber, 33 net carbs

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Low Carb Chili Ingredients

This recipe for keto chili starts off with ground beef. Ground or cubed beef is commonly used in a traditional red chili like this. But, if you’d like to use something different, just about any meat would work in this recipe. You could try using ground turkey, chicken, or pork to change things up.

And, if you’d like to add more low-carb vegetables to your meal, try adding chopped celery, zucchini, cauliflower, mushrooms, or spinach!

Here’s what you need for Keto Chili:

  • Bacon adds savory flavor, richness, and a welcome smokiness
  • Onions and Garlic
  • Jalapeno. I added one diced jalapeno, and our chili had a mild/medium level of heat. If you are sensitive to heat, feel free to add less.
  • Fire roasted tomatoes and chiles. Canned diced tomatoes will work well, too.
  • Spices, including chili powder, cumin, and oregano

Remember that carb-containing ingredients like tomatoes, onions, and garlic are spread out over multiple servings!

Low Carb Toppings for Chili

I like to serve this recipe with sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, and cilantro. It would also be delicious with more jalapenos, diced avocado, or extra bacon.

Easy Keto Chili without Beans (Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Recipes) - Green and Keto (2)

Freezing Chili for Easy Freezer Meals

I love having freezer meals stored away in my freezer. Fortunately, this keto chili recipe is perfect for freezing. This recipe makes a big batch – plenty to serve for dinner right away and enough to store in the freezer for later. If you have a large Crockpot or Instant pot, you could even make a double batch.

How to Make Keto Chili

You can make this keto chili 3 ways. On the stovetop, in a Crock Pot, or in anInstant Pot.

First, cook the bacon, onions, garlic, and jalapeno. Then, brown the beef. Add the tomatoes, spices, and stock, and simmer away.

If you are using the Instant Pot, I recommend using the “Natural Release”. Natural Release reduces the temperature more gradually, resulting in more tender meat and better texture.

I hope you LOVE this recipe! It’s:

  • Comforting
  • Flavorful
  • Savory
  • Easy to make
  • & Freezer friendly

Easy Keto Chili without Beans (Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Recipes) - Green and Keto (3)

Keto Beef Recipes

If you like cooking with ground beef, you may also likeKeto Lasagna with Zucchini Noodles,Keto Egg Roll in a Bowl (Crack Slaw),Keto Stuffed Peppers (without rice) andMozzarella Stuffed Meatballs.

Easy Keto Chili without Beans (Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Recipes) - Green and Keto (4)

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

You'll love this recipe for delicious keto chili made with ground beef -- and get this -- no beans. It's easy to throw together in your Crockpot or Instant Pot. And bonus -- it's perfect to make for freezer meals, too. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 oz bacon, diced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 jalapeno, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 10 oz fire-roasted tomatoes and chiles, 1 small can
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 cups beef or chicken stock

Instructions

Crock Pot / Slow Cooker instructions

  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the diced bacon for 5-7 minutes,until browned. Add the chopped onion and cook for for 5-7 minutes, until soft translucent. Add the garlic and jalapeno and cook for a minute or two, until fragrant.
  2. Add the ground beef. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring with a spatula, until browned. (Optionally, drain extra fat from the pan.)
  3. Transfer the ground beef mixture into a slow cooker.Add remaining ingredients: tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and broth.
  4. Cook for 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.

Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker instructions

  1. Select the "Sauté" setting on the pressure cooker.With the lid off, add the diced bacon and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned.Add the chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes, until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and jalapenos and cook for a minute or two, until fragrant.
  2. Add the ground beef. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring with a spatula until browned.(Optionally, drain extra fat from the pan.)
  3. Add remaining ingredients: tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and broth.Stir until combined.
  4. Close the lid. Press "Keep Warm/Cancel" to stop the saute cycle. Select the "Meat/Stew" setting (35 minutes) to start pressure cooking. Use a natural release.

Stove Top instructions

  1. In a large pot over medium-high heat,cook the diced bacon for 5-7 minutes,until browned. Add the chopped onion and cook for for 5-7 minutes, until soft translucent. Add the garlic and jalapeno and cook for a minute or two, until fragrant.
  2. Add the ground beef. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring with a spatula until browned.(Optionally, drain extra fat from the pan.)
  3. Reduce heat to low.Cover and simmer for 30 minutes - 1 hour for best flavor, stirring occasionally.

Notes

Beef: I usually make it with 85/15 beef.If you want to use a higher fat meat, you might want to drain it after browning, before mixing with the other ingredients.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 417Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 115mgSodium: 1578mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 39g

The nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. It was calculated by My Fitness Pal with the recommended brands and ingredients. All brands are different, so please verify the macros with your specific ingredients to ensure accuracy.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #greenandketo on Instagram.

Don’t forget to pin this recipe for later!

Easy Keto Chili without Beans (Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Recipes) - Green and Keto (5)

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Easy Keto Chili without Beans (Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Recipes) - Green and Keto (2024)

FAQs

What can I substitute for beans in keto chili? ›

Best Bean Substitutes for Chili
  • Ground meat: adding extra meat to a chili recipe is an excellent low-carb bean substitute for chili. ...
  • Chopped veggies: cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, and butternut squash are terrific too! ...
  • Sweet Potatoes: cubed sweet potatoes are great and provide lots of nutrition in chili.
Aug 23, 2022

What is a good substitute for beans in chili? ›

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.

How many carbs are in 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.

Are green beans keto? ›

Green beans and black soybeans are keto-friendly bean options, each containing only 2 grams of net carbs per 1/2-cup (60–90-gram) serving. Some promising keto substitutes for beans include mushrooms, eggplant, avocado, ground meat, and boiled peanuts.

What bean is the lowest carb? ›

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.

What is a low carb alternative to kidney beans? ›

Other low-carb alternatives to legumes include chopped nuts, hemp hearts, edamame, eggplant, green beans, and sugar snap peas. However, some options, like black soybeans and seitan, are less ideal due to their overall nutritional profile and potential health effects.

Is chili better without beans? ›

The comparison can (and has) been made that chili without beans is really just a meat sauce, like a spicier Italian-style sauce you would serve over spaghetti. Chili with beans is much more substantial and can stand better by itself, some say.

How to make chili thick without beans? ›

Mix in a scoop of cornstarch, all-purpose flour, or oats.

For 1 tablespoon of flour, use 2 tablespoons of water. No slurry is required for the absorbent oats; simply stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons. In all cases, allow the chili to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes more, and you should notice it thicken up.

Why does authentic chili not have beans in it? ›

If you go pretty much anywhere in Texas you will find chili ingredients simple and rarely differing: meat, sauce, peppers and spices. Carol Hanco*ck, 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.

Why is chili not keto friendly? ›

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.

Is chili healthy for weight loss? ›

Helps with weight loss

Other studies show that chili peppers can increase metabolism and help you burn off the calories you do eat. While eating them by themselves may not lead to a significant change in your weight, using them with your doctor-approved weight loss plan may help you see results more quickly.

Are kidney beans keto? ›

Due to their high carbohydrate content, most types of beans, such as red kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans, should be avoided on a typical ketogenic diet. Low-carb bean options like edamame, and green beans, on the other hand, can be consumed in moderation.

Can I eat unlimited green vegetables on keto? ›

You do not have to limit vegetables if you are on the keto diet or are considering it. Plenty of low-carb vegetable options include arugula, asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes.

What vegetables are off limits on keto? ›

Starchy vegetables contain more digestible carbohydrates than fiber and should be limited when you're on the ketogenic diet. These include corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes and beets. Limit high-sugar fruits too, which spike your blood sugar more quickly than berries and have more carbohydrates.

Which vegetables are keto-friendly? ›

Vegetables form a large part of a ketogenic, or keto, diet. Healthful options include celery, tomatoes, spinach, and mushrooms. A person may wish to avoid starchy vegetables.

Can you call it chili without beans? ›

Texans in particular are likely to reject beans; in fact, the no-bean version is often referred to as Texas chili.

Is there a keto-friendly bean? ›

Black Soybeans (canned)

Protein: 18.2 grams. Black Soybeans are another "keto bean" that you can enjoy while following a low-carb diet. The good news is that black soybeans are a valid substitution for commonly used beans.

Can of chilli with no beans? ›

HORMEL® Chili No Beans adds excitement to any meal occasion. How about pouring HORMEL® Chili on hot dogs for a simple, easy dinner upgrade? You'll want to keep several cans of HORMEL® Chili No Beans on hand in the pantry because that same excitement can be poured on fries, chips, in the bowl—anything!

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