The Best Keto Chili Recipe: Easy, Low Carb & No Beans (2024)

Can I have chili on the Keto diet or is chili keto-friendly?

Yes and yes to both of these questions! Chili can definitely be made keto friendly or low carb friendly! PLUS, chili is a VERY cheap keto or low carb diet meal. “The Best Keto Chili Recipe: Easy, Low Carb & No Beans”

For years I have made this crockpot traditional chili recipe. Even with groceries so high this meal is around $1.14-$1.37 per serving! If you add beans (to the original recipe) then the price would even be cheaper, but I’m the only one in my family that likes bean chili, so I leave them out. PLUS, beans are NOT KETO FRIENDLY.

Are beans keto friendly?

No, beans are high in total carbs and are not recommended on the ketogenic diet.

It is such a cheap and easy recipe, especially when using a crockpot. I simply add all the ingredients to the crockpot in the morning and by evening we have a delicious meal. Usually, we eat our chili with saltine crackers or cornbread muffins. Then, the next day we will haveFrito chili piewith the leftovers. HOWEVER, for a homemade chili keto version you will need to leave out the beans and choose a different side, for example keto cornbread or pork rinds.

Since my entire family doesn’t like all my keto recipes, this is a comfort food recipe that we all can enjoy (with different side dishes).

Can you put raw ground beef in a crock pot or slow cooker?

Yes, for years I would brown my ground beef before I added it to my crockpot to make chili. And, one day I was talking to Kylee about it and she said well, we cook raw chicken in the crockpot and I thought I’d try it. And, it cooks perfect. I add my ground beef frozen to the crockpot, add my tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and spices and let it cook.

What happens if you don’t brown ground beef before adding to crockpot?

If you add your ground beef raw or frozen to your crockpot there are2 important detailsthat you will need to know. Thefirst detailis that the meat stays clumped together, but what I do is I’m usually at home, so half way thru cooking I’ll take a spoon and stir up the chili – breaking up the clumps. Thesecond detailis that there is no way to drain your excess grease off of your meat, so you will need to make sure to use a lean ground beef or venison.

Of course, you always have the option to brown your meat before adding to your crockpot.

What goes in low carb chili recipe?

Add the following ingredients to this simple and cheap recipe:

• Ground beef, ground chicken, ground turkey or venison
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce or tomato paste
• Chili mix packet
• If you have no chili mix packet, you can use: chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt and black pepper – add extra spices if you’d like to
• Optional recipe ingredients – you can add any of the following to the rest of the ingredients: olive oil, green peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped onions, jalapenos, or beef broth

**Replace the crackers for keto biscuits, keto cornbread or pork rinds**

How do I make Keto chili? (Scroll down for printable recipe card)

1. Gather your ingredients: ground beef, spices, tomato sauce and diced tomatoes
2. Add frozen or thawed meat to the crockpot
3. MOST IMPORTANT STEP – USE ONLY LEAN GROUND BEEF OR YOU WILL HAVE TO COOK BEEF FIRST AND DRAIN off excess grease****
4. Mix spices in with tomato sauce and add to the crockpot
5. Add diced tomatoes to the crockpot
6. Cook chili on low for 6-8 hours. If meat was raw, stir halfway between cooking times to break up the meat.Cook chili on high for 4-5 hours. If meat was raw, stir halfway between cooking times to break up the meat.

What side dishes can I serve with my easy keto chili recipe?

• keto cornbread
• cauliflower rice
• pork rinds
• keto biscuits

KETO Cheddar Garlic Biscuits

KETO Bacon Ranch Biscuits

What favorite toppings can I add to low-carb chili recipe?

​Do your research and choose keto friendly toppings. Here are some great options for chili toppings:

• shredded cheddar cheese
• chopped bell pepper
• sour cream
• jalapeno peppers
• green onions
• crushed pork rinds

How long can you cook chili in a crockpot on low? How long can you cook chili in a crockpot on high?

On a low setting it will take 6-8 hrs to cook chili. If the meat was added the crockpot frozen then 8 hours, if not 6 hours on low will cook the chili. On a high setting it will take 4-5 hours to cook chili. I cooked mine in 5 hours and I added my ground beef to the crockpot while it was frozen. Remember, if the meat was raw, to stir half in between cooking times to break up the meat.

Does chili taste better in a crockpot or slow cooker?

Yes, the flavor improves with a long time of a slow simmer.

Can you cook chili in the crockpot all day?

Yes, you can cook chili in the crockpot all day. Usually, I will start my chili in the morning and simmer all day on a low setting. This is a great way to have those weeknight dinners ready when you arrive at home after a busy day.

Should chili be thick or soupy?

This is a controversial question in our house, LOL! Because, Gerald likes his chili thick and I like mine with a lot of tomato sauce, so it’s soupy. So, to spoon up with a saltine cracker! YUMMY! There is not a wrong answer, everyone likes their chili different, some like thick chili and some like soupy chili! LOL

However you choose to make your chili, I believe that this is the best chili recipe ever! And, you can’t beat the price, plus it’s the easiest chili recipe to make.

Keto-friendly chili Q&A

Are chili beans keto or low carb friendly? No, chili beans are not keto friendly and they are not low carb friendly. For a cup (8oz) these beans have 42.8g total carbs, 32g net carbs, 2.6g fat, 12.6g protein, and 246 calories. They are high in grams of fiber, BUT also high in net carbs.

Can I eat leftover chili or white chicken chili? Yes, place leftovers in an airtight container or freezer bags and place into the refrigerator. The leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months. Chili is a great idea for meal prepping, simply add chili to freezer bowls and you will have quick and delicious freezer meals.

Are kidney beans keto friendly or low carb? No, kidney beans are not keto-friendly or low carb friendly. For a cup (8oz) these beans have 110g total carbs, 64g net carbs, 1.5g fat, 43g protein, and 613 calories.

Can I cook low carb chili in a dutch oven? Yes, you can cook chili in a dutch oven, simply add all of the ingredients to the dutch oven, place onto stove top and simmer over medium heat until done. However, the best way to cook chili is in a crock pot. A slow simmer in a crock pot is one of my favorite ways to cook chili.

Are black beans low carb or keto friendly? No, black beans are not keto friendly or low carb friendly. For a cup (80oz) these beans have 41g total carbs, 26g net carbs, 2g fat, 15g protein, and 228 calories.

Can I cook chili in a pressure cooker? Yes, add ground beef to pressure cooker and cook over medium low heat until ground beef is brown, then drain off excess grease. Add the rest of the ingredients to the pressure cooker and lock the lid. Pressure for 8 minutes, remove from heat and let it set for 10 minutes while pressure is reducing. Open lid, stir and serve.

Is beef broth low carb or keto friendly? Yes! On a keto diet or low carb diet beef broth and chicken broth can be eaten.

Is there an Instant pot keto chili recipe? Yes, turn your Instant pot to saute and add your ground beef and a little olive oil. Cook beef until brown and drain excess grease. Add the rest of the ingredients to the Instant pot and place lid on top of pot. Cook for 20 minutes on the chili/beans setting of your Instant pot. Once you are done cooking and pressure is released, stir the chili and serve.

Are black soybeans keto friendly? Even tho these beans are lower in net carbs they are not keto friendly. Black soybeans have 5 net carbs per serving. Now, if you are only on a low carb diet, which you only want to lower your net carb intake then these beans would be ok. But, not for those on a strict keto diet.

Can I meal prep keto chili?Yes! Chili is a great meal prepping meal. Simply place leftovers in individual meal prepping bowls and place them into the freezer. Leftover chili will stay good up to 3 months in the freezer. The day before serving your meal, place the container of chili into the refrigerator to thaw and then reheat in the microwave the next day. If you forget to take out your leftovers from the freezer, simply place the meal prep bowl into the microwave and thaw (remove lid before cooking in the microwave).

Is chili con carne keto friendly or low carb friendly? Normally no, however, if you leave out the beans, rice and sugar then it is allowed on the keto diet or low carb diet. The beans in chili is what makes chili a high carbohydrate food, so just leave out the beans and don’t add crackers or cornbread to your chili and you will have a delicious homemade chili.

Are green chilies low carb or keto friendly? Yes, green chilies do have some carbohydrates, but not a lot. So, it depends on how strict of a keto diet that you are on. A cup (8oz) of green chilies have 6.4g total carbs, 4g net carbs, 0.4g fat, 1g protein, and 29 calories. So, adding a cup to an entire pot of chili will reduce the individual carbohydrate serving size.

Can I cook keto chili on the stove top? Yes, the only different between cooking chili on the stove top and in a crock pot is that when you cook chili on the stove top you will have to keep an eye on it and stirring it occasionally. Also, it will take less time on the stove top too. Simply, add all of the ingredients to a large pot and place the pot on the stove top over medium heat or medium-high heat. Let the ingredients simmer until done.

Are tomato products high in g net carbs? Tomato products do have net carbs. Tomato sauce1 cup (8oz) has 16g total carbs, 12g net carbs, 0.4g fat, 3.2g protein and 70 calories.Tomato paste1 can (6oz) has 32g total carbs, 25g net carbs, 0.8g fat, 7g protein and 139 calories. Diced tomatoes1 cup (8oz) has 12g total carbs, 8g net carbs, 0g fat, 2g protein and 60 calories.

Can I leave chili out at room temperature?Yes, but for only 2 hours, because this is the maximum time for any perishable food to be left out of the refrigerator or freezer.

Is Chili bad if left out overnight?Yes, the maximum time for any perishable food to be left out of the refrigerator is 2 hours.

How can you tell if chili has gone bad?As with any food you can check the smell and look for signs of mold. Any food that has a sour, rancid or off smell should not be eaten and thrown away. If you see signs of mold, but no sour smell the food should not be eaten and also thrown away.

Can you eat chili cold? Yes, chili can be eaten cold, however it will not taste as good as a bowl of hot chili. But, can be eaten without any ill side effects.

How long does homemade chili last?Chili that has been kept in the refrigerator will last 3-4 days. To store leftover chili, place leftovers into airtight containers and place in the refrigerator or freezer. Leftover chili will stay good in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Can I make chili days in advance? Yes, chili made in advance is delicious! Plus, it makes those busy weeknights easier to have a meal already prepared. Simply, make your chili up to 2 days ahead of time and place into the refrigerator. Also, another great idea is to double the batch of chili and place leftovers into the freezer.

So, the next time that you need a great recipe for one of those busy weeknights, this would be the perfect meal! All your family members will love this chili recipe whether they follow the keto lifestyle or not. AND, for those keto dieters who have a chili craving, but not the carbs, this is the perfect recipe and will become a family favorite at meal time!

Try Our Keto Recipes!

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Try Some Other Keto Desserts!

• Keto Coconut Pie
• Keto Cherry Pie
• Keto Peanut Butter Pie Cupcakes
• Keto Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
• Keto Peanut Butter Balls
• Keto Turtle Cheesecake
• Keto Chocolate Caramel Pecan Clusters
• Keto Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Keto Maple Pecan Cream Pie

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