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Keto Chili 🌶️

Published: · Updated: by · 4 Comments

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Looking for a culinary change of pace? It's time to spice things up with our unique Keto Chili. Bursting with diverse flavors and satisfying textures, this chili is a surefire way to break the monotony of your regular meals. Let's explore this enticing recipe together, using some readily available ingredients.

Keto Chili in a bowl topped with avocado, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, and cheese
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Preparation and cooking overview

In just 75 minutes, you can create a savory one-pot delight. Sauté garlic, onion, and bell pepper, then add spices and beef. Let it simmer with tomatoes and beef broth to create a hearty and flavorful dutch oven chili recipe that will satisfy your taste buds.

Chef's note

Swap the ground beef with crumbled tempeh or diced mushrooms. Get creative with your toppings by adding a dollop of guacamole, a sprinkle of crispy bacon, or even a drizzle of lime crema. Don't be afraid to experiment and make this easy keto chili truly your own!

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Recipe Makes 4 Servings
Keto Chili in Dutch oven with wooden spoon

🌶️ Ingredients for this keto chili recipe

  • ¼ cup of avocado oil
  • 3 garlic cloves (minced)
  • ½ white onion (diced)
  • 1 green bell pepper (diced)
  • 2 tablespoons of chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon of cumin
  • 1 teaspoon of paprika
  • ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
  • 1 pound of ground beef
  • 14 ounces of canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes (not drained)
  • 1 cup beef bone broth

Toppings

  • ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese
  • ¼ cup of diced onion
  • ¼ cup of sour cream
  • 1 avocado (sliced or diced)
  • 2 jalapeños (thinly sliced)
  • 2 tablespoons of minced cilantro

Ingredient substitutions

Don't worry if you're missing some of the ingredients; here are a few alternative options you can use instead:

  • Fire-roasted diced tomatoes (canned): If unavailable, replace them with diced regular tomatoes.
  • Shredded cheddar cheese: If cheddar cheese is not on hand, feel free to use any other keto-friendly cheese of your choice.
  • Sour cream: If you don't have sour cream, keto Greek yogurt is a suitable alternative.

Additional ingredients

Elevate your keto chili with these optional ingredients that add a delightful twist:

  • Oregano: Add a hint of earthiness and fragrance that complements the spices.
  • Garlic powder: Infuse your chili with garlic flavor and a pleasant aroma.
  • Smoked paprika: Bring a subtle smoky and sweet undertone to enhance the overall taste.
  • Chopped celery: Enjoy a refreshing crunch and a touch of herbal flavor.

Cooking tools required

To make this low carb chili recipe, you'll need the following tools:

  • Cast-iron Dutch oven or soup pot
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Can opener
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Bowls and spoons

Tools substitute options

If you don't have access to all of the tools mentioned above, here are a few substitute ideas:

  • Cast-iron Dutch oven: If you don't have a cast-iron Dutch oven, use a regular non-stick skillet or a large saucepan. 
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: If you don't have a wooden spoon or spatula, use a heat-resistant silicone spatula instead. 

How to make this Keto Chili: step-by-step guide

Cooking methods

  • Sautéing
  • Simmering

Preparation steps

  1. Prepare the vegetables by mincing the garlic cloves and dicing the white onion and bell pepper. Keep them in separate containers.
  2. Defrost the ground beef.
  3. Open the can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes using a can opener. 
  4. For the garnish, shred your cheddar cheese, dice another onion, and dice your avocado. Keep these on standby for serving time.

Cooking instructions

  1. Pour oil into your Dutch oven, setting the heat to medium.
  2. Add in your garlic, onion, and bell pepper, cooking them until they soften - about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the spices, cook for half a minute, then toss in your ground beef.
  4. Let the beef brown for about 5-7 minutes.
  5. After the beef is browned, stir in the tomatoes and broth.
  6. Cover the Dutch oven, reduce the heat, and let everything simmer for an hour.

Chef's pro tip

Patience is key when browning the beef. Let it slowly and evenly cook over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes. This allows the beef to develop a deep flavor and beautiful caramelization. Avoid rushing this process or turning up the heat too high. The result? A flavorful chili that'll have everyone going for seconds.

What to serve with keto chili?

Here are some keto-friendly pairings that would go well with this chili recipe:

  • Fresh avocado: Creamy avocado adds a cool and buttery contrast to the warm chili.
  • Cauliflower rice: Swap traditional rice for low-carb cauliflower rice to keep your meal keto-friendly.
  • Zucchini noodles: Enjoy the chili atop zucchini noodles for a satisfying and low-carb alternative to pasta.
  • Keto cornbread: Indulge in a slice of keto-friendly cornbread to complement the rich flavors of the chili.
  • Mixed green salad: Fresh and crisp mixed greens provide a refreshing balance to the hearty chili.

How to make it healthier?

Here are some quick ways to make this low-carb chili recipe even healthier:

  • Increase vegetable content: Add more veggies to the chili to boost the nutritional profile. Green onions, bell peppers, and spinach are excellent choices.
  • Leaner protein option: Use lean ground beef to make this recipe healthier.

Time-saving tips

  • Pre-minced garlic: Grab pre-minced garlic from the store for a convenient shortcut.
  • Pre-diced vegetables: Opt for pre-diced onion and bell pepper to cut down on prep time.
  • Electric pressure cooker or slow cooker: Harness the power of an electric pressure cooker like the Instant Pot or a slow cooker to speed up the cooking process.

What can I prepare ahead of time?

  • Pre-cook the ground beef: Brown the beef ahead of time and store it in the fridge for quick use.
  • Pre-make the bone broth: Prepare your bone broth a day or two in advance, freeze it, and have it ready for when you start cooking.

Storage and reheating instructions

Storage tips

  • Refrigerate: Keep the keto beef chili fresh by storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Remember to refrigerate the leftovers within two hours of cooking. Enjoy the chili within 3-4 days for the best flavor and quality.
  • Freeze: Preserve the chili by freezing it in a freezer-safe container. Ensure the chili is consumed within 3 months for optimal taste and freshness.

Reheating tips

  • Microwave: Place the desired portion of chili in a microwave-safe bowl. Reheat on high heat for 2-3 minutes or until the chili is piping hot throughout.
  • Stove: Pour the chili into a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Stir frequently to prevent sticking, and heat it until thoroughly heated.

Recipe wrap-up and conclusion

Our Keto Chili brings together sautéed veggies, aromatic spices, and simmered beef, creating a dish that's as tasty as it is nutritious. This recipe proves that healthy eating doesn't have to be bland or boring. So, invite your family, set out your favorite toppings, and enjoy each comforting bite.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, chili can be keto-friendly when made with low-carb ingredients like meat and low-starch vegetables. Avoid beans, which are high in carbs.

Most peppers are keto-friendly, including bell peppers, jalapeños, and serrano peppers, as they contain minimal carbs and add flavor without impacting ketosis.

This chili is indeed low-carb. The ingredients chosen, such as ground beef, tomatoes, and certain vegetables, contain minimal carbs, making it suitable for a low-carb diet.

You can eat onions on a keto diet, but in moderation, as they have more carbs than other vegetables. Still, their flavor can enhance dishes without consuming many carbs.

Garlic is excellent for keto diets. While it contains some carbs, the amount used in recipes is usually small, so it doesn't significantly impact carb intake.

Tomatoes are keto-friendly in moderation. They contain some carbs, but the amount is generally low, especially when compared to their nutritional benefits.

To thicken keto chili, you can reduce the liquid by simmering it longer, add vegetables that thicken upon cooking like bell peppers, or use a keto-friendly thickener like xanthan gum.

The number of carbs in chili can vary depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used in the recipe. However, generally, this dish has 17 grams of carbs per serving. 

📖 Recipe

Keto Chili in a bowl topped with avocado, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, and cheese

Keto Chili

This Keto Chili is spicy, smoky, and awesome when topped with jalapeńos, shredded cheese, and sour cream!
4.72 from 7 votes
Print Rate Pin Recipe
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy, keto, low carb
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 610kcal

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup avocado oil
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • ½ white onion diced
  • 1 bell pepper diced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 pound ground beef see notes for plant-based options
  • 14 ounces can fire roasted diced tomatoes not drained
  • 1 cup beef bone broth

Toppings:

  • ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ¼ cup diced onion
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 avocado sliced or diced
  • 2 jalapeños thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons minced cilantro
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Pour oil into your Dutch oven, setting the heat to medium.  
  • Add in your garlic, onion, and bell pepper, cooking them until they soften - about 5 minutes.  
  • Stir in the spices, cook for half a minute, then toss in your ground beef.  
  • Let the beef brown for about 5-7 minutes.  
  • After the beef is browned, stir in the tomatoes and broth.  
  • Cover the Dutch oven, reduce the heat, and let everything simmer for an hour.

Notes

These macros work great for keto folks who consume two larger meals per day, feel free to make this into 6 servings to lower the macros.

Plant-based options:

  • swap the ground beef for a ground beef substitute like Beyond Meat
  • use vegetable broth instead of beef broth
  • be sure to use dairy-free cheese and sour cream for the toppings

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Keto Chili
Amount Per Serving
Calories 610 Calories from Fat 450
% Daily Value*
Fat 50g77%
Saturated Fat 15g94%
Cholesterol 95mg32%
Sodium 369mg16%
Potassium 979mg28%
Carbohydrates 17g6%
Fiber 7g29%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 27g54%
Vitamin A 2907IU58%
Vitamin C 63mg76%
Calcium 149mg15%
Iron 5mg28%
*

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

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Steve Heiser says

    Where are the carbs coming from?

    Reply

    • Alex Lester says

      Vegetables! We did have an error in the nutritional info though, it has been updated.

      Reply

  2. Charles Mills says

    If you want beans, you can use canned Black Soy Beans.

    Reply

  3. carol stibich says

    5 stars
    Best chili recipe ever, keto or not! I always double the batch. Try with a fried or poached egg on top!

    Reply

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