Best Easy Keto Chili Ever

Fall is the perfect time to enjoy a warm bowl of chili, and with this Keto Chili Recipe, you won’t have to worry about breaking your keto or low-carb diet. Made with ground beef, peppers, spices, and tomatoes, this low-carb chili is a family favorite. Plus, it’s keto-friendly and gluten-free so that everyone can enjoy it.

Keto Chili: Easy, Delicious, & Low Carb

During summer’s blistering summer, I dream about those crisp fall days. I love everything about fall, including cozy bonfires, leaves changing colors, cooler weather, and fall foods like chili and pumpkin everything. Fall signals college football season, which makes my hubby and kiddos very happy as Ohio State Fans. Of course, I had to come up with a keto chili recipe that everyone would love.

HOW TO MAKE CHILI KETO-FRIENDLY

Unless you are from Texas and already eat chili without beans, most traditional chili recipes aren’t keto-friendly due to the high carb content of beans. But, like many recipes, it can be tweaked to make a low-carb chili that is mouthwateringly delicious. This keto chili recipe has no beans, so it is a perfect dish for my family to eat while watching my hubby’s beloved Buckeyes play football on Saturdays. It’s thick and delicious! You can also check out my Keto White Chicken Chili recipe.

Since my kids don’t follow a strict keto diet, I often cook beans in a separate pot on the stove. Then, when the low-carb chili is done, I can add a spoonful or two of beans to my kids’ chili.

Ingredients:

• Ground Beef– Serves as the primary protein source and adds flavor and substance to the keto chili.
• Rotel Tomatoes– These spicy diced tomatoes with green chilis add the perfect amount of kick to your keto chili.
• Crushed Tomatoes – Part of the base of this low-carb chili recipe
• Diced Onions – adds a bit of heartiness and added flavor
• Cumin – Offers a warm and earthy spice characteristic of chili recipes, giving it a distinct flavor.
• Chili powder – Provides the chili’s signature heat and depth of flavor.
• Curry powder (optional): My secret ingredient that adds a unique twist with its blend of spices that intensifies the flavor and gives it a bold taste.
• Beef Broth – Increases the liquid content, ensuring the chili has the right consistency and adds additional meaty flavor.
• Salt – Enhances the overall taste and helps balance the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Pepper – Adds a subtle spiciness and complements the other spices used in the chili.
• Red pepper flakes (optional) – Provide extra heat and a touch of spiciness for those who like it hot.
• Hot sauce (optional) – Intensifies the spiciness and adds a tangy kick for those who prefer a more fiery chili.
• Green bell pepper, chopped (optional) – Adds a fresh, slightly sweet crunch to the chili.
• Butter (optional) – This can be added for extra richness and flavor, making the chili even more indulgent (not typically used in traditional chili recipes).

Steps to Making Keto Chili:

Step 1: Brown the ground beef, green peppers, onions, and garlic together first over medium-high heat in a large skillet or pan.

Tip: As I have mentioned before, I always brown my ground beef ahead of time, reducing the cooking time and making cooking meals like keto chili much easier. This and other time-saving tips can be found in 5 Easy Keto Meal Prep Ideas. If you use ground beef already browned, you’ll want to saute the bell pepper, onions, and garlic cloves in a bit of olive oil before adding the browned ground beef to the pot.

Step 2: Drain (if desired) and return to the saucepan.

Step 3: Add all other ingredients to the ground beef mixture and bring to a boil. If you decide to add the optional butter, you should add it now. It will add a little extra fat and flavor to the chili.

Step 4: Reduce to low heat and simmer uncovered for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until chili reaches desired thickness. Top each bowl with sour cream, grated cheese, and jalapenos if desired.

Tip: This chili recipe is so thick and hearty. If you prefer a chili that is not quite as thick, add more beef broth until it reaches the desired thickness. I typically like mine a little thinner, while my hubby prefers his nice and thick.

How to Thicken Keto Chili?

The best way to thicken this keto chili is to bring it to a boil, turn down the heat, and simmer it with the lid off. As it simmers, the liquid evaporates, thickening the chili. Make sure you stir it occasionally. Simple, right?

How Many Carbs Are in a Bowl of Chili?

This recipe makes eight servings, with seven net carbs per serving. No guilt here! I did not measure for an exact serving size. Instead, I divided the low-carb chili evenly.

If you’re looking for a great meal, do yourself a favor and make this quick, easy, low-carb keto chili. It is incredible…savory, filling, and so delicious! Best of all, it’s easy to make. When I have an evening commitment, this is one of my hubby’s go-to’s for dinner because it’s so easy to fix, and the kids love it.

What to Eat with Low-Carb Chili

What could be more perfect with a delicious bowl of chili than a chaffle? I also made my keto cheese crackers, and they paired perfectly. Another option is keto cornbread. We typically keep it simple and make a salad with it, as this low-carb chili recipe is so hearty.

How to Store Keto Chili

I love to make twice as much as the recipe calls for, as it makes for an easy lunch the next day. Chili should last for three to four days in the fridge in an airtight container. For up to six months, you can freeze the cooked chili in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. If you freeze the chili in individual containers, you can pull one out whenever you want a delicious bowl of home-cooked keto chili.

Are Kidney Beans Keto?

As I mentioned, bean chili is loaded with carbs. A half-cup of canned dark kidney beans contains 24 carbs per serving with 5 grams of fiber, making them 19g of net carbs per serving. Half a cup of kidney beans would take up almost an entire day’s allotment of carbs for those following a keto lifestyle. Also, kidney beans are legumes, which most people avoid on the keto diet, with one exception.

What Beans Are Keto-Friendly?

Most people eating keto avoid beans because of their abundant starch and carb content. However, the exception is green beans at only 2g of net carbs per half-cup. Some people add green beans to their chili to add a little bulk to it to remind them of beans. To make keto-friendly chili, leave out the standard chili beans.

Are Tomatoes Allowed on the Keto Diet?

While tomatoes contain natural sugar, they are relatively low in carbs and high in fiber. They can be enjoyed in moderation on a low-carb diet. Keep in mind that the carbs in the tomatoes’ are spread over many servings in this recipe.

I used diced tomatoes with green chilis (or Rotel) and crushed tomatoes in this recipe. If you don’t enjoy chunks of tomatoes, you can toss a can of whole tomatoes in a blender to make tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes.

Variations to this recipe:

• Crockpot Option: Most of the time, I make my chili on the stovetop, but if you prefer, you can use a slow cooker. Add your browned beef and other ingredients to the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours; you may want to reduce the beef broth as it won’t cook down in the crockpot like on the stove.
• Bring on the Heat: If you like your chili hot, add jalapeños, hot sauce, crushed red peppers, or more chili powder to this chili keto recipe.
• Instant Pot Keto Chili Version: If you love cooking in the Instant Pot, check out this Instant Pot Keto Chili Recipe.
• Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or ground sausage
• Add additional seasonings such as oregano and paprika.
• A tablespoon of tomato paste can add a bit of boldness to the flavor
• Add additional veggies like riced cauliflower, green beans, zucchini, and red bell peppers, to name a few options
• A tablespoon of salsa adds a nice bit of added flavor

Topping Ideas for Low-Carb Chili:

• Sour cream
• Green onions
• Freshly Grated cheddar cheese
• Sliced avocados
• Chives
• Jalapenos
• Hot Sauce
• Avocado

More Keto Soup Recipes:

• Keto Broccoli & Cheese Soup
• Keto Queso Taco Soup
• Stuffed Pepper Soup
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Soup
• Cauliflower Soup with Bacon & Cheese
• Instant Pot Keto Buffalo Soup Recipe

More Keto Beef Recipes:

• Quick & Easy Low-Carb Chili Casserole
• Easy Keto Ground Beef Casserole
• Low-Carb Ground Beef Recipe: Italian Keto Beef Skillet
• Keto Ground Beef Stir-Fry
• 20 Delicious Keto Beef Recipes

Make sure to check out all of my Low Carb Recipes in my Keto Recipe Index.