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Keto Chili Con Carne Recipe 🌶️

Feyza Kırmacı
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Elevate your mealtime with our delicious Keto Chili Con Carne, a refreshing take on the cherished classic. Instead of beans, we've incorporated vibrant veggies and aromatic spices to get a low-carb dish. Imagine succulent beef and diced vegetables immersed in a savory broth. This standout recipe promises to become one of your favorite keto Mexican recipes. Ready for a taste?

Low-carb keto chili con carne served in a bowl, with the skillet in the background.
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Preparation and cooking overview

Making this keto chili is incredibly easy. First, cook the beef and some flavoring ingredients in a big pan. Add the vegetables and spices. Let everything cook together in beef soup. You'll have a tasty meal ready to eat in about an hour!

Chef's note

Feel free to add your personal touch to the Mexican chili con carne recipe by swapping in different keto-friendly veggies like cauliflower, mushrooms, and zucchini. You can even adjust the spice level by altering the amount of chili powder and jalapeños based on your preference. And for those who enjoy an extra kick, a dash of cayenne pepper can make all the difference.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Recipe Makes 4-6 Servings

For more inspiration check out our Beef recipe.

🌶️ Ingredients for keto chili con carne recipe

Here's a list of all the ingredients you'll need to prepare the low-carb chili con carne recipe at home:

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed and finely chopped
  • 1 ½ cups diced tomatoes, canned
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
All the required ingredients for this keto chili con carne gathered and measured on the table.

Ingredient substitutions

Not a fan of something in the ingredients list? No problem! Here are some keto-friendly alternatives you can try:

  • Bell peppers: Fancy a different hue? Replace the red and green peppers with any colored bell peppers your taste buds crave.
  • Tomatoes: Don't have canned tomatoes on hand? Freshly diced tomatoes work just as well.
  • Chili powder: Run out of chili powder? A mix of paprika, a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, and a hint of garlic powder can save the day.

Additional ingredients

These ingredients are optional but can enhance the flavors of the main meal:

  • Zucchini: Toss in a diced zucchini with the bell peppers. It will soak up the flavors and add more veggies to your meal.
  • Chopped fresh herbs: Garnish the spicy chili con carne with fresh cilantro or parsley for a refreshing taste.
  • Sour cream: Top the dish with a sour cream dollop to balance the spice.
  • Grated cheddar cheese: Sprinkle freshly grated cheese for a cheesy surprise.
  • Avocado slices: For a creamy texture, slice half an avocado and add the slices to the chili carne before serving.
  • Fresh green onions: Toss in some fresh green onions at the last minute of cooking for a fresh, herby note.
Low-carb keto chili con carne served in a bowl, directly from the skillet.

Cooking tools required

To make this keto chili con carne recipe, you'll need the following tools:

  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Large skillet
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Wooden spoon

Tool substitutes list

  • Large skillet: If you don't have a large skillet, use a deep frying pan to sauté and simmer the ground beef.
Homemade keto chili con carne served in a bowl with avocado slices and a spoon.

How to make Keto Chili Con Carne: step-by-step guide

Cooking methods

  • Sautéing
  • Simmering

Preparation steps

  1. Gather and measure all the ingredients.
  2. Dice the medium onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper.
  3. Finely chop the jalapeño pepper after removing the seeds.
  4. Peel and mince the fresh garlic cloves.
  5. If using frozen ground beef, defrost it and prepare it for cooking.

Cooking steps

  1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Add the diced onion and sauté until it turns translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
  4. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the skillet.
  5. Cook the beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it's browned and cooked.
  6. Toss in the chopped jalapeño and red and green bell pepper. Cook and stir for a few minutes until they begin to soften.
  7. Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, sea salt, black pepper, and tomato paste.
  8. Coat the meat and vegetables evenly with the aromatics.
  9. Pour in the can of diced tomatoes (juices included). Mix in the beef broth to create a flavorful base for the chili. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  10. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  11. Remove the skillet from the heat once the gravy has reached your preferred thickness.
  12. Scoop the chili con carne into a bowl and serve it hot.

Chef's pro tip

Letting your chili cook slowly for 30-40 minutes is the key to getting the best flavor. This helps all the ingredients come together nicely. It's important not to speed up the cooking; good things take time! Plus, if you prepare this chili a day in advance, especially for busy weekdays, you'll notice the flavors blend even more. So, it's a tasty dish and a convenient one for meal prep!

What to serve with chili con carne?

This keto chili con carne is a versatile dish and goes along with a variety of keto-friendly dishes. Here are a few tasty ideas:

  • Mexican Cauliflower Rice: For a classic combo, serve your chili con carne with fluffy cauliflower rice. The low-carb alternative to traditional rice soaks up the flavors.
  • Keto Kale Salad: The refreshing note of kale salad is great for balancing the hearty, spicy chili flavors.
  • Parmesan Cheese Crisps: For a fun experience, enjoy the savory dish with crunchy Parmesan Cheese Crisps.
  • Keto Cornbread: Enjoy the chili carne with the comforting texture of cornbread without the carbs. It's great for sopping up extra gravy.
Keto chili con carne presented in a bowl with avocado slices and a spoon.

How to make it healthier?

  • Use leaner meat: Use leaner meat like ground chicken or turkey instead of ground beef.
  • Reduce salt: Use low-sodium beef broth and tomato paste. If you have the time, prepare the beef broth at home.

Time-saving tips

  • Beef: Buy beef broth from your local store to save on preparation time.
  • Tomatoes: Use canned tomatoes instead of fresh tomatoes.
A serving of keto chili con carne in a bowl, topped with avocado slices.

What can I prepare ahead of time?

  • Prepare the veggies: Chop all the vegetables in advance and store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge until you're ready to cook.

Storage and reheating instructions

Storage instructions

  • Refrigerator: Store the leftover chili con carne in an airtight container in the fridge. It will remain delicious for 3-4 days.
  • Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the dish in a freezer-safe container for 2-3 months. Remember to leave a bit of space since it can expand when frozen.

Reheating best practices

  • Microwave: Place a portion of the chill con carne in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for 2-3 minutes. Check and stir halfway through.
  • Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place it in an oven-safe container and heat for 15-20 minutes.
  • Stovetop: Transfer the leftovers to a skillet and reheat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes.
Keto chili con carne served with avocado slices in a bowl with a spoon.

Recipe wrap-up conclusion

Our Keto Chili Con Carne is a delightful fusion of taste and health, perfect for any meal. When you serve this at family events, expect it to be a hit! Combining hearty meat with fresh vegetables, this low-carb spin on a Mexican favorite stands out.

We're thrilled with how this recipe turned out, and we believe you'll love it too! Make this comfort dish a regular in your keto meals, savoring every guilt-free, flavorful bite!

Love Mexican cuisine too much? Here are some delicious keto Mexican recipes:

A bowl filled with keto chili con carne, topped with avocado slices, and accompanied by a spoon.

Frequently asked questions

Sauté onions, garlic, and ground beef. Add spices and vegetables, then simmer the mixture with diced tomatoes and beef broth. It's as easy as that!

Traditional chili con carne isn't keto because it uses high-carb ingredients like kidney beans. But, our low-carb version is keto-friendly as it replaces beans with low-carb vegetables.

The carb count depends on the ingredients used. A single serving of regular carne has around 25g of net carbs. But this keto version has significantly fewer carbs.

Certainly! After browning the onions, garlic, and beef on your stove, shift all the ingredients to a slow cooker. Mix in the tomatoes and broth. Set it on low for about 6-8 hours or on high for around 3-4 hours.

Let it simmer for 30-40 minutes to thicken chili without adding carbs. As it cooks, the broth reduces, and the chili becomes richer and thicker.

📖 Recipe

Keto chili con carne served with avocado slices in a bowl with a spoon.

Keto Chili Con Carne

Enjoy the flavors of our Keto Chili Con Carne, a low-carb twist on the classic dish featuring succulent beef, aromatic spices, and vibrant vegetables simmered to perfection in a savory broth.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: chili con carne recipe, keto chili con carne, low carb, Mexican chili con carne
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 383kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper seeds removed and finely chopped
  • 1 ½ cups diced tomatoes canned
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • Sea salt to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
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Instructions

  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add the diced onion and sauté until it turns translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
  • Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the skillet.
  • Cook the beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it's browned and cooked.
  • Toss in the chopped jalapeño, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Cook and stir for a few minutes until they begin to soften.
  • Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, sea salt, black pepper, and tomato paste.
  • Coat the meat and vegetables evenly with the aromatics.
  • Pour in the can of diced tomatoes (juices included). Mix in the beef broth to create a flavorful base for the chili. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  • Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove the skillet from the heat once the gravy has reached your preferred thickness.
  • Scoop the chili con carne into a bowl and serve it hot.

Video

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Keto Chili Con Carne
Amount Per Serving
Calories 383 Calories from Fat 243
% Daily Value*
Fat 27g42%
Saturated Fat 9g56%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 13g
Cholesterol 81mg27%
Sodium 616mg27%
Potassium 828mg24%
Carbohydrates 13g4%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 23g46%
Vitamin A 1737IU35%
Vitamin C 79mg96%
Calcium 85mg9%
Iron 5mg28%
*

Nutritional values are estimates only and do not include carbs from sugar alcohols.

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