This Easy Beef Chili Without Beans is the best quick recipe that is loaded with spices and hearty vegetables. This dish is made stovetop and is perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Top this with bacon, sour cream, shredded cheese, avocados, or more!
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This post was originally published in 2019. It has since been updated.
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Soups and chili are the best comfort foods for fall and winter. This winter has been incredibly difficult here in the Midwest (and for most of the rest of the country, too). A warm bowl of chili is just what I need. This dish is so easy to make and it's one of those recipes that is freezer friendly and tastes even better when you reheat the next day.
If you want to use an Instant Pot, you should check out my Instant Pot Beef Chili recipe. The Best Classic Chili has a few key traits that I discuss below.
How to Make Chili with No Beans
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Gather your spices and ingredients. I like to use chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Don't forget salt and pepper! That is important to season the beef and flavor. Be sure to use organic, no sugar added tomato paste. You will also need onions, garlic, chopped peppers, diced tomatoes and green chilis, and beef broth.
- Add your veggies to a skillet or large pan on medium-high heat. Next add the ground beef.
- Brown the ground beef with spices.
- Add the tomatoes, paste, and broth.
- Simmer and serve warm.
What to Use Green Chilis For
I like to use diced tomatoes and green chilies in this recipe for added flavor.
Topping Ideas
- Shredded Cheese
- Plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- Jalapenos
- Cooked and Crumbled Bacon
- Sliced Avocado
Can You Use Beans?
You can absolutely add beans if you wish. Chili beans and black beans will work well.
How to Thicken
The best way to get thick chili is to not go overboard with liquids. I only use a ½ cup of beef broth in this recipe. The remaining liquid comes from the diced chilis and tomatoes and the tomato paste, which will thin out a lot as the chili simmers.
Additional Toppings
- Shredded Cheese
- Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt
- Sliced Avocado
- Crumbled Bacon
Side Dishes to Pair
Keto Low-Carb Cornbread
Green Goddess Salad
Southern Collard Greens
Seafood Crab Salad
Is it Freezer Friendly?
The dish will last tightly sealed in the freezer for a few months.
More Chili Recipes
Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
Chili Cheese Fries
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Instant Pot Beef Chili
Pumpkin Chicken Chili
Sweet Potato Chili
Leftover Turkey Chili
Creamy Seafood Chili
Buffalo Chicken Chili
Slow Cooker Crockpot Chili Mac
Check out my Homemade Chili Seasoning and Pork Belly Ramen here.
Easy Chili Without Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup chopped onions I like to use white or yellow
- 2 garlic cloves Minced
- ½ cup chopped green peppers
- ½ cup chopped red peppers
- ½ fresh jalapeno, chopped
- 15 oz canned diced tomatoes and green chilis (do not drain)
- ½ cup beef broth I grew up eating thick chili vs watery. If you prefer watery, use your judgment to assess if you will need more and start with an additional ½ cup.
- ¼ cup tomato paste
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano You can use fresh if preferred.
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon red cayenne pepper Optional for spicy.
Instructions
- Heat a skillet or large pot on medium-high heat with the onions, red and green peppers, garlic, and jalapenos. Cook for about 2 minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the pot or pan with all of the seasonings.
- Use a spatula or a large spoon to break down the ground beef into small chunks.
- When the beef has browned add the beef broth, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes and green chilis. If you are using a skillet you will need to transfer the ground beef to a large pot first. Stir to combine all of the ingredients.
- Lower the heat on the stove to Low. Cover and simmer the chili for 10-15 minutes. Taste the chili repeatedly for flavor. Add additional seasoning as needed.
- Cool before serving.
Taryn says
This is a great recipe! We love low carb chili.
Kelly says
I love the addition of the bell peppers to add a little extra color!
Kelly says
I love the pop of color the bell peppers add to this chili!
KJ says
Just tried this recipe!! It’s delicious!!!
staysnatched says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Marisol Merced-Rivera says
This chili is delicious!! I was very worried that I wouldn't like it as much without beans and all the carbs. The flavor and chunky texture had me not missing a thing!! So good!!!
staysnatched says
Yay! Glad you didn't miss anything!
Keisha says
I just made this chili for the second time. It is so flavorful, so delicious!!! Even before starting keto, I wasn't a fan of beans in chili. So this recipe is right on time. Thank you so much for sharing.
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Diana Butler says
This looks super yummy! My family doesn’t eat any type of bell peppers. Do you have any substitution you can suggest in their place?
Thank you ?
staysnatched says
I don’t, I would just omit them. Feel free to toss in any of your favorite veggies.
Marisa says
Just made this yesterday. De-freaking-licious.
I pretty much followed your recipe to a T. (Less peppers more onions because it’s what I had)
Loving it. Great recipe. Thanks for creating it!!!
❤️
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Emily says
Delicious and super quick and easy! Thank you 🙂
staysnatched says
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Veronica C. says
This chili was full of flavor and delicious! The recipe was easy to follow and gave so many options and alternative ingredients to use. Ive never made chili without a store bought packet before but I sure am glad that this is the first one I decided to try. I paired it with the southern cornbread recipe and the whole family loved it!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you liked the homemade seasoning!
Lily says
Easy and healthy chili?! This is a great recipe and it’s DELISH!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Shermetra Irving says
I've made this a couple of times before and loved it! Since it's the holidays, I doubled....maybe even tripled it. I love to eat it a couple of days, then freeze it for future use.Try it!!!!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoy the chili.
Pamela says
This was a fast and easy recipe! The results were quite yummy!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Les J says
Amazing and so easy to make!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Maria says
HOLY SH** this is a HIT!!!!! Omg devoured that before it was ready LOL! Soooo good definitely recommend to everyone! Thank you so much brandy for this recipe! Been following for awhile now! ☺️☺️
staysnatched says
haha what a wonderful review!
Bear Fisher says
I had a feeling this would be good so I doubled the recipe and oh my god I’m so glad I did! I’m on night 2 of chili for dinner and I love knowing I have a batch in the freezer for another time. I served it on cauliflower rice - I’m not a huge fan of that usually but the spices are so good it works - and more veggies for me!
staysnatched says
Doubling is always a good idea!
Beejal says
Lick your bowl good! I have had such a hard time finding a keto/low carb chili that tastes good and hits the spot, well this was it!! Yum!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm glad it hit the spot!
Chloe Frew says
This was so amazing!! Thank you for all your tips! We kept it thick and wow it was probably some of the best chili we’ve made. Thank you!
staysnatched says
That's so good to hear!
Melissa says
Brandi kills it again! This was my first time making chili and it was super easy. My hubs doesn’t like bell peppers so I took them out and added an extra jalepeno, and it was still SO delicious and flavorful. Recipes like these are what keep me coming back to Brandi’s site when I’m looking for a way to cook something.
staysnatched says
Thank you so much for your continued support!
Sonya Finklin says
Super simple and very tasty recipe. We make it at least once a week for dinner, kid approved!!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Gianna says
Easy to make and delicious!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Erica Robinson says
I started as a ghost Instagram follower and quickly became a Stay Snatched devotee. This recipe is amazing like always. Thank you Brandi for your hard work!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Sarah S says
Another excellent recipe by Brandi. Perfect exactly as written. Easy to modify if needed.
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Emily R. says
The easiest, most delicious chili recipe I've tried! So much flavor!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Danielle R Fedrick says
I wanted to make something quick and tasty last night and THIS WAS A HIT! My ten year old daughter added sour cream and cheese to hers. We will use the leftover chili to make chili dogs today. So yummy!
staysnatched says
That sounds so good!
Celene says
hi Brandi! another great recipe. so easy to make. love chili when the weather starts to cool down. Thanks!
staysnatched says
Hi! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Kathleen Gregorio says
How does Brandi do it? How is nothing a miss?? Another amazing chili recipe! I made this for my very picky boyfriend and he loved it! Can't wait for second day chili tomorrow!
staysnatched says
Perfect for leftovers!
Sam says
So easy! So tastey! Adding it to the rotation.
staysnatched says
I'm so glad to hear it.
Elaine says
Terrific recipe! I don’t like beans and the bell pepper was such a tasty addition! I don’t like green bell pepper so I subbed in yellow. Yum yum and yum!
staysnatched says
So glad to hear it.
Dorothy says
Made this chili for meal prep this week and it was so good. Really quick yet filling.
staysnatched says
Yum! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Edith says
Chili was delicious and easy to make! I have never thought of adding tomato paste but it definitely added extra richness to it. It hit the spot after some snow play. Can’t wait to make chili cheese fries with the left overs. Brandi, thank you again for another wonderful recipe.
staysnatched says
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Nek C says
I’ve told folks for years, you don’t need beans in chili, but they will not listen!! Chili without beans is SO good and you honestly cannot tell you’re missing not one bean. This recipe was quick, easy to make, and another one that requires more than likely ingredients you have in your home! Thank you Brandi for making a chili that doesn’t take allll day lol
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
K. Phillips says
Thick & hearty, plus it doesn't need all day to simmer. Great staple for weeknight meals!
staysnatched says
Glad to hear it's a staple!
Steven says
My work had a chili cook off so I wanted to find a recipe that was flavorful and straight forward. Seemed like everyone had some off the wall "secret ingredient" concoction that had passed down through the family from the time of Noah. Most of them were loaded with spices, every kind of bean known to man or so hot your mouth was numb for 20 minutes. I followed this recipe with only 1 addition - a bit more red pepper, not much, I just wanted a wee bit more heat. Had sour cream, shredded cheese and tortilla strips for toppings.
After all the votes were counted this recipe won 1st place out of 12 contenders.
Try it, you will not be disappointed. Makes a great nacho topping too.