Easy Keto Chili (No Beans!)
Warm, hearty, and low-carb—this Easy Keto Chili is a must-have for cozy weeknight dinners or make-ahead meal prep.
Chili is a staple in our home, especially living in the chilly Colorado mountains where it feels like winter most of the year. There’s nothing like a steaming bowl of rich, meaty chili to warm you up from the inside out! Since we often follow a low-carb lifestyle, we like this keto chili recipe without beans so we can enjoy all the comforting flavor of traditional chili—without the extra carbs.
If you’re also eating keto, or just looking for a hearty, satisfying dinner the whole family will love, this is the chili for you. It’s simple, flavorful, and easy to customize with your favorite toppings.
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Equipment Needed
You don’t need anything fancy to make this easy keto chili. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Cutting board
- Sharp dicing knife
- Measuring spoons (Tablespoon, ½ Tablespoon, and Teaspoon)
- Measuring cups (1 Cup)
- Can opener
- 1 large pot or stock pot
Ingredients for Easy Keto Chili
Most of these ingredients are pantry staples or easy to find at your local grocery store. You may already have everything on hand!
- Bacon grease (or other cooking oil of choice)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 lb. ground beef
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Ground cumin
- Smoked paprika
- Dried oregano
- 1 can Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies)
- 1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- Tomato sauce
- Tomato paste
- Beef broth
- Worcestershire sauce (we use Lea & Perrins—it’s low in sugar and has no high fructose corn syrup)
- Salt and pepper to taste
👉 Exact measurements are listed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Prep for Easy Keto Chili
One of the best parts about this easy keto chili? Hardly any prep work! All you need to chop is one small onion—seriously, that’s it. No mountains of veggies, no complicated steps.
In a hurry? You can multitask by browning the ground beef while you dice the onion, then toss it in as you go. It’s a great time-saver, making this low-carb chili a perfect option for quick, cozy weeknight dinners.
How to Make Easy Keto Chili (Step-by-Step)
Let’s break it down:
- Heat oil in a large pot – Start with a tablespoon of bacon grease or oil over medium heat.
- Sauté the onion – Cook the diced onion until fragrant and slightly golden, about 3-4 minutes.
- Brown the beef – Add ground beef and break it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Add spices – While the beef is browning, stir in chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano. This allows the flavors to soak into the meat.
- Add the rest – Once beef is browned and seasoned, add Rotel, fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer – Turn heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Thicken – Remove the lid and simmer uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, letting the chili thicken up.
- Taste and season – Add salt and pepper to taste, and you’re done!
Once the chili is thickened and perfectly seasoned, it’s ready to serve! Spoon it into bowls and top it with your favorite keto toppings. For a complete meal, this chili pairs perfectly with my Keto Cheddar Biscuits — they’re warm, cheesy, and ideal for dunking. Trust me, you’ll want to sop up every last bite!
Best Toppings for Keto Chili
Toppings are the best part, right? Here are some of our favorites that keep things low-carb:
- 🧀 Shredded cheddar cheese
- 🧅 Sliced green onions
- 🥄 Sour cream
- 🌶️ Sliced jalapeños
- 🌱 Fresh cilantro
- 🥑 Avocado chunks
Customize your bowl and make it your own!
Storage & Freezing Tips
This chili stores beautifully. Here’s how:
- Fridge – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer – Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. It’s perfect for batch cooking or meal prepping!
To reheat, just microwave until warm or simmer gently on the stovetop.
How to Use Leftover Keto Chili
Besides enjoying it by the bowl, you can use this chili in other keto-friendly recipes. Try it in:
- Keto Chili Cheese Dog Casserole
- Chili-stuffed bell peppers
- Low-carb chili dogs
- Chili cheese dip
- Keto-friendly chili pot pie
Double the batch and use it all week in creative ways!
Easy Keto Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp bacon grease or oil of choice
- 1 small onion
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 10 oz can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 14.5 oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat bacon grease in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion and sauté until fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned.
- Stir in all spices (chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, oregano).
- Add Rotel, fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well.
- Cover and simmer on low for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Uncover and simmer an additional 10 minutes to thicken.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot with your favorite keto toppings!
Notes
Final Thoughts
This low-carb chili recipe is a go-to in our home, especially when we want something comforting without the carbs. It’s bold, flavorful, and just as satisfying as the classic version—no beans needed!
Let me know if you try it, and don’t forget to pin it or share it with a fellow keto foodie! ❤️
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