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    Home » Recipes

    No Bean Chili Recipe

    Published: Jan 25, 2022 · Modified: Mar 17, 2023 by Tabetha · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    This no-bean chili recipe is my favorite, but I am sure people will tear me apart for it. I seriously just can't get behind beans. I know they are a magical fruit and all, but texture-wise I just can't. This led to the No Bean Chili recipe you have before you today. 

    Up Close of chili simmering

    Chili has always seemed so out of reach for me since I'm a relatively picky eater, so I made this recipe for any of my fellow "beans are gross" comrades out there. 

    What if I want beans you ask? Well, if you found your way to this page and are intrigued by this recipe, but also want to add beans please be my guest. Add them when you add the tomatoes. It will by no means ruin the recipe. 

    Chili Toppings & Finishes

    I never realized how many things you could add to chili. That's mostly because, for 95% of my life, I never ate it. Growing up in a huge family, beans were also a way to add substance at a minimal cost. Since I didn't like beans, I wasn't gonna eat them. 

    No Bean Chili in a bowl with avocado
    No Bean Chili

    Either way, now as a grown-up who has come around to the magical meal, here are some ideas of how to finish your No Bean Chili as well...

    Classics

    • Sour Cream
    • Shredded Cheese
    • Corn Bread
    • Diced Onions
    • Green Onions

    Boujee

    • Avacado
    • Guacamole
    • Plain Greek Yogurt
    • Sliced Jalapeno
    • Bacon Crumble 

    Leftover No Bean Chili?

    Perfect! My absolute favorite thing to do with this recipe if you have leftovers is make Chili Mac. It's basically this exact recipe, over pasta.

    Chili Mac
    Chili Mac

    I know at face value that sounds super weird, but hear me out. If you take this and removed the smoked paprika and cumin, and added some rosemary and thyme, you would have a delicious ragu. It's pasta sauce, but with a southwest kick. 

    Enjoy Your No Bean Chili

    Whether you add a classic dollop of sour cream or go full "load her up" style with cornbread, avocado, and a sprinkle of bacon, this No Bean Chili will hopefully be a staple recipe for you for years to come. I hope you enjoy it!

    Bon Appetit,

    📖 Recipe

    Chili

    No Bean Chili

    Hearty and soul filling. I never ate chili before because I'm not a big fan of beans. After a runthrough with Whole30 I tweaked a few recipes just the way I liked it. Full of flavor and MEAT!
    1 rating (Click stars to rate)
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr 45 mins
    Total Time 2 hrs
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 782 kcal

    Equipment

    • Dutch Oven or Large Pot
    • Slotted Spoon
    • Cutting Board
    • Knife
    • Wooden Spatula used to break up the meat in pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • ½ Pound Bacon
    • 1 Pound Italian Sausage
    • 1 Pound Ground Beef - 90/10 if possible
    • 1 Red Onion - Diced
    • 2 Bell Peppers - Diced
    • 2 tablespoon Garlic - Minced
    • 6 Ounces Tomato Paste - 1 small can
    • 58 Ounces Diced Tomatoes - 4 small cans or 2 big
    • 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
    • 1 tablespoon Dried Oregano
    • 1 tablespoon Smoked Paprika
    • 1 Tbsp Cumin
    • 2 Cups Chicken Stock - or beef
    • ½ teaspoon Chili Pepper Paste - Optional /Substitute as needed

    Instructions
     

    • Dice the bell peppers and onions and set them aside. The size here is really a personal preference. I dice mine pretty small to hide them from the kids.
    • Slice the bacon into strips. Again, personal preference on size. If you want big chunks of bacon or smaller pieces throughout, it's your call.
    • In the pan, pour just enough olive oil to cover the bottom of your dutch oven or large pot and put on medium heat.
    • Add the bacon and cook until it's just crispy.
      Sauteeing bacon for chili
    • Next, incorporate the Italian sausage and ground beef to the pan. Try not to go crazy chopping it into a million small pieces as it will release too much moisture into the pan too quickly and your meat will steam instead of brown. Browning = Flavor.
      Browning ground beef and bacon for chili
    • Once the meat is cooked all the way through, chop it up into smaller pieces and then remove it with a slotted spoon or spider and set aside. DON'T throw the fat at the bottom of the pan away!
    • Add the peppers and onions to the pan and cook for 3-5 minutes or until soft.
      Sauteeing bell peppers, onions, and garlic in a dutch oven
    • This is a great time to get all your cans of diced tomatoes and paste open and ready.
    • Add garlic and cook 1-2 more minutes but don't let it burn!
    • Take a deep, deep smell of the delicious aroma coming out of your kitchen. Ahhh.
    • Next, we will add the tomato paste to the pan and thoroughly mix with your peppers and onions. Let it cook for just a minute or two. We are trying to get some extra browning to happen on the bottom of the pan. Remember Browning = Flavor.
    • Add diced tomatoes, chicken stock, the delicious bowl of meat you've set to the side, and all remaining spices to the mix. DON'T add the chili peper paste or whatever you are intending to add to spice up your chili quite yet.
      simmering chili on a stove in a dutch oven
    • Give it a good mix, let it come to a simmer, and reduce the heat to low.
    • From here on out the flavors only become more intense, but now that we are simmering we can start to taste and adjust. Depending on the type of Italian sausage you used you'll need more or less chili pepper paste (or spice of your choice).
    • TASTE AS YOU GO. I can not express how important this is. You may need a pinch more salt or a few more cranks of pepper. Season, taste, adjust. Season, taste, adjust.
    • The longer you let it simmer the more flavorful and tender your pot of chili will become. I recommend a solid 45 minutes but it can sit on the stove for up to 2 hours if you want.

    Video

    Notes

    Other Ways to Spice It Up:
    Just start slow when adding heat. You can always add more and it's almost impossible to take away. 
    • Cayenne but be careful. 
    • Crushed Red Pepper
    • Hot Sauce (whatever you like)

    Nutrition

    Calories: 782kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 35gFat: 60gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 28gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 138mgSodium: 1589mgPotassium: 1527mgFiber: 6gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 2600IUVitamin C: 86mgCalcium: 154mgIron: 8mg
    Keyword Chili, Keto Friendly, No Beans
    Tried this recipe?Mention @tabethas.table!

    Handy Tools

    Want to take your cooking game to the next level? Here's a list of some of the tools I use every time I make this recipe that help make this a breeze!

    Dutch Oven or Large Pot
    Slotted Spoon
    Cutting Board
    Knife
    Wooden Spatula used to break up the meat in pan

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    Reader Interactions

    Trackbacks

    1. 25 Best Chili Recipes - Jamil Ghar says:
      September 11, 2022 at 4:41 pm

      […] there is a dish on this list for everyone! We’ve got hearty meat recipes, chili with beans, no bean-chili, and vegetarian […]

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    My journey began at Le Cordon Bleu where my love of cooking & subsequently teaching really baked in. This is me pouring out what I've learned over the years & sharing it with the world. We are so glad you're here and hope you find something delicious while you're at it.

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