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My no bean chili recipe is a wonderfully beefy and hearty family meal that’s ready in about 30 minutes. It skips the beans but packs in tons of flavor.
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Not everyone in my family loves legumes and beans, which means this no bean chili is one of our staples. Also called Texas chili, this pot of spiced tomato and beef goodness is just as filling, hearty, and warming as the classic.
It’s quick and easy and perfect for meal prep. You can make my chili on the stovetop, but I’ve also tested it on the slow cooker and Instant Pot.
If you love all things chili like we do, try my venison chili, pork green chili, Instant Pot white chicken chili, and keto chili next.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“Very yummy and easy. My family loves it with all the toppings- sour cream, cheese, and even some guacamole.” – Shy
Ingredients needed
- Ground beef. A Texas chili staple. I like to make chili with lean ground beef so there’s still some fat and flavor, but stew beef also works as a substitute.
- Vegetables. Onion, garlic cloves, bell peppers, and jalapeno peppers start the chili with savory and spicy flavors.
- Olive oil. To sauté the vegetables.
- Salt and pepper. To taste
- Beef broth. To thin the chili.
- Diced tomatoes. Fresh or canned.
- Seasonings. Taco seasoning, ground cumin, and smoked paprika give the chili its classic smoky-savory flavors. Don’t worry – this blend isn’t too spicy!
- Cilantro. For garnish.
How to make no bean chili
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1 – Sauté the veggies. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion, bell pepper, and jalapenos and cook until soft. Add the garlic to finish.
Step 2 – Brown the beef. Push the vegetables to the side and add the beef. Cook until it’s browned.
Step 3 – Season, then simmer. Stir the seasonings into the pot. Pour in the beef broth and tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, then bring the mixture up to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover with a lid, and let the chili simmer until it’s thickened.
Step 4- Serve the chili with shredded cheese and sliced jalapenos.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Make sure your ground beef isn’t too lean. Otherwise, the chili will miss out on that delicious beefy flavor. I like an 80/20 ground beef because it still contains some fat but isn’t overly greasy.
- Use other ground meat. Sometimes, I like to make this easy homemade chili with ground turkey, venison, bison, or pork instead of beef. A 1:1 mix of ground beef and ground pork is good, too.
- Adjust the heat. I like the level of heat in this recipe, but if you like chili with no spice, omit the jalapeno peppers. If you love heat, make this recipe extra spicy by swapping the jalapenos for poblano peppers or serrano peppers.
- Don’t forget the toppings! Garnish your bowls of chili with guacamole, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, fresh cilantro, and crushed tortilla chips.
Storage instructions
To store: After it cools, transfer the leftover chili to an airtight container. Store the leftovers in the fridge for up to 1 week.
To freeze: Beanless chili freezes well for up to 6 months, making it a fantastic freezer meal! Just let the leftovers thaw in the fridge before reheating.
To reheat: Reheat the individual servings quickly in the microwave or a pot over medium heat on the stovetop.
Frequently asked questions
Me and the kids love nothing more than a bowl of this beef chili recipe with our favorite chili toppings and a few slices of cornbread or garlic bread on the side. For a well-rounded meal, I like to serve the chili with comforting side dishes, like stuffed baked potatoes, cauliflower casserole, or air fryer brussels sprouts.
Yes! With no wheat or no flour needed, this recipe is suitable for celiacs.
More cozy beef dinners
If you tried this No Bean Chili recipe or any other recipe on my website, please rate the recipe and let me know how it went in the comments below. It really helps others thinking of making the recipe.
Easy No Bean Chili
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 jalapenos diced
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes canned or fresh
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the olive oil and let it heat up.
- Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and jalapenos to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until the vegetables have softened. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds.
- Push the sautéed vegetables to one side of the pot and add the ground beef to the other side. Cook the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it's browned and no longer pink. Mix to combine.
- Add the taco seasoning, cumin, and smoked paprika to the pot. Stir to coat the meat and vegetables.
- Pour the beef broth and diced tomatoes (with their juices) into the pot. Stir everything together. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until it has thickened.
Hey Arman! I made this chili yesterday and it was more like soup. I would recommend cutting down the liquid in the recipe for a thicker and heartier chili. The flavor is great!
Chilli with no beans.
Interesting.
I really this recipe, but it was a little soupier than I’m used to. I decided to add some corn, and red kidney beans to “beef” it up. I know this was a bean free chili, but wanted it to be thicker. I also added an additional teaspoon of chili powder. The whole family enjoyed and was disappointed when we finished the pot. Might have to double the recipe next time! Thank you for this recipe I will definitely make it again!
Very yummy and easy!
Against my better judgement I used 6 cups of broth which is way too much. It turned out to be a soup rather than a chili. It did not thicken after a long simmer. So we had soup for dinner!
I’m kinda confused-the pic looks like there’s tomatos in there or maybe tomato 🍅 sauce and the description says beef and tomato goodness but I don’t see tomatoes in the ingredient list…please clarify.
Sorry Tami- I fixed it! 14 1/2 ounces of crushed or diced tomato.