Name: Crockpot No Bean Chili
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 15 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil; 2 pounds grass-fed ground beef (85/15 or leaner); 1 large yellow onion, diced; 3 celery, diced; 2 carrots, diced; 1 bell pepper, diced; 2 teaspoons minced garlic; 2 tablespoons chili powder; 2 tablespoons ground cumin; 1 tablespoon fine sea salt; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika; 1, 14-oz. can diced tomatoes; 1, 8 oz. can tomato sauce; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1, 4-oz. can diced green chiles; toppings of choice (fresh cilantro, green onion, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, etc.)

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Crockpot No Bean Chili is an easy, one-pot meal loaded with hearty ingredients and big chili flavor. It has all the yummy things we love about traditional chili (savory aromatics! bold spices! meat!). All the things except for beans, which makes it ideal for low-carb eaters.

A bowl of Crockpot no bean chili surrounded by different toppings.

My Keto Chili Recipe (also a beanless chili recipe) is made in a large pot or Dutch oven on the stove top. While this Crockpot no-bean chili recipe is pretty similar, it is a more simplified, easier process (and that's something we can all get behind, right?).

I love Dutch oven cooking and it works well for me because I'm usually home and can keep an eye on things.

But I remember the days when I had to rush out the door in the morning for a nine-hour work day and dinner prep was often the last thing on my mind.

My slow cooker was my favorite kitchen appliance and I still love how it takes a lot of the work out of making a meal.

This no-bean chili recipe is perfect for busy weekdays and relaxed weekends when you want a homemade dinner that also happens to be low lift.

Ground meat, savory vegetables and bold seasonings simmer over low heat in the Crock pot and turns into a flavorful, healthy and versatile meal. It's comforting, cozy and easy. Slow cooking for the win, once again!

(And if you're in need of simple Crockpot recipes, I think you'll enjoy my Crockpot Pumpkin Chicken Chili, Crockpot Marry Me Chicken and this Crockpot Green Chili Chicken Soup!).

Bowl of crockpot no bean chili with toppings.

why this recipe works

This Crockpot no-bean chili has all the flavors of classic chili, but with more veggies and much fewer carbs.

It's a great way to enjoy hearty chili if you're on a keto diet, low carb diet, or you're just looking for healthy recipes made with whole foods.

Plus, since it cooks low and slow in the Crockpot, you can prep this in the morning and come home to a delicious meal that's ready to enjoy.

Here's why you'll love it:

It's an easy Crockpot recipe that takes just 10 minutes of active prep time.

Large get-togethers, game day snacks, or just a simple Tuesday night dinner- this recipe is great for any occasion and the entire family will approve.

Vegetables, grass-fed beef and chili seasonings create a hearty, comfort food meal that is paleo, low carb, gluten free and keto-friendly.

No-bean chili is also great for meal prep! You can even make a double batch in your Crockpot and freeze half of it for easy freezer meals later on.

the ingredients

If you compare this recipe to my Keto Chili Recipe, you'll find many similarities. But the biggest difference in this recipe is that I've shortened the ingredient list. You can do the same and omit items like carrots or bell pepper, if you choose.

The great thing about chili is that it's incredibly versatile. Leftovers keep well and actually taste even better the next day.

For this Crockpot no bean chili recipe, you will need:

Avocado oil. A healthy, neutral oil used for browning the ground beef.
Lean ground beef. I prefer grass-fed beef that's at least 15/85 (or leaner). However, ground bison (or a 50/50 bison-beef split) makes delicious chili too.
Vegetables. Use a yellow onion (or white onion) along with celery, carrots, bell pepper and minced garlic for a delicious, savory flavor.
Chili seasonings. A combination of chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, dried oregano, and smoked paprika creates a bold medley of spices that will season the meat and infuse the no-bean chili with a smoky flavor and mild amount of heat.
Diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and tomato paste. For a rich umami taste and "sauciness" to the chili.
Diced green chiles. You can substitute this with a spicier green pepper (like jalapeño), if you want a little bit more kick.
Favorite toppings. I love that a big bowl of chili is filling, hearty and also serves as a blank canvas that you can load up with your favorite toppings! My favorite way to enjoy it is with a good amount of shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro, green onions and fresh jalapeños.

Ingredients for crockpot no bean chili on an orange tablecloth.

a crockpot no bean chili recipe

Here's a look at the steps required to make Crockpot no bean chili.

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to view all of the details in the printable recipe card.

Browning the meat in a skillet with onions, celery and peppers.

In a large skillet, add the avocado oil and ground beef. Cook the meat for 5 minutes over medium-high heat, then add the celery, carrots, bell pepper and onion. Cook another 3-4 minutes or until the meat is browned.

Cooked meat and chili mixture in a Crockpot.

Add the garlic and spices to the skillet, cooking for 30 seconds. Drain off any excess fat and transfer the cooked beef mixture to the Crockpot. Add the remaining ingredients to the Crockpot.

Cover with the Crockpot lid, then cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Stir the chili right before serving. Ladle it into serving bowls and load it up with your favorite chili toppings.

Two bowls of slow cooker no bean chili with toppings next to them on an orange tablecloth.

tips for the best results

Store leftover no-bean chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. If freezing, store it in a freezer-safe airtight container or large freezer bag. Keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Leftover chili tastes even better on day two, when all the flavors have extra time to meld.

You can swap in ground bison, if desired. Similar to my keto chili recipe, a high-quality chorizo is also a great substitute for half of the ground beef. I haven't tried this recipe with ground turkey or chicken but I imagine it will work well (I do recommend using half ground chicken chorizo to make the chili more flavorful since ground chicken can taste more bland).

This Crockpot no-bean chili recipe makes a mild chili. For a spicier dish, you can add ½ teaspoon chipotle powder (or 1-2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce). Fresh, chopped poblano peppers and jalapeño peppers are also a nice addition. You can also serve it with hot sauce to increase the heat after it cooks.

serving suggestions

Serve up this chili the same way you would enjoy a traditional bowl of chili!

Pile on the toppings and enjoy it with a slice of keto cornbread or spoon it onto hot dogs for a protein-packed chili dog!

Here are a few great ideas to complete this hearty dinner.

Easy Keto Cornbread
Keto Biscuits
Savory Whipped Cottage Cheese Dip (if you're looking for a game day spread!)
On top of these Spicy Chili Scrambled Eggs

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