If you are looking for the best beanless chili recipe that’s thick and packed with flavor, you will love this Whole30 and paleo chili con carne. Easy to make and so delicious!
As soon as there’s a chill in the air, I’m thinking of all types of soups and stews to make. There’s nothing more comforting than a big bowl of chunky soup, packed with meat and veggies. Since I love strong spices and a little bit of heat, I’ve been planning for a while to make a Mexican chili con carne recipe to share with you all, and it finally happened! And honestly, it’s one of my favorite soups on this site.
What is Chili Con Carne?
Chili con carne literally translated to “chili with meat” in Spanish. Popular in Mexican and southern Texas, it’s a spiced stew that contains chili peppers and/or chili powder, some type meat, tomatoes, and, if you want, beans. I’ve seen and tasted a variety of ingredients and spices, so the flavor can change depending on the cook’s preference.
Whole30 & Paleo Chili Con Carne Recipe
This easy Whole30 chili recipe is a lot quicker than many chili recipes I’ve seen. It doesn’t have to simmer for too long, and everything comes together in a few simple steps. All the meat, Mexican spices, broth, and tomatoes are combined to make a one-pot Dutch oven chili con carne that’s packed with amazing flavors. It’s my new favorite paleo beanless chili recipe that I’m gonna be making over and over again!
Easy Chili Con Carne Ingredients
While the ingredients list might seem extensive, it’s a really simple recipe so don’t be intimidated! You just need 4 different spices for the chili con carne seasoning, and the rest are easy-to-find staples that you probably already have in your kitchen. Here are the chili con carne ingredients:
- ground beef: I prefer 80/20 beef for chili
- chili powder
- cumin
- oregano
- paprika
- bacon: Make sure to use sugar- and nitrate-free bacon to keep it paleo and Whole30 compliant!
- onion
- bell pepper: Either red or green bell pepper will work.
- garlic
- tomato paste
- bone broth: Beef broth can be used instead of bone broth. I usually purchase pre-made bone broth and always have it on hand.
- can of diced tomatoes
- potatoes: If you are strict paleo and avoid potatoes, just substitute with sweet potatoes!
- lime juice
- sea salt
Directions: How to Make Chili Con Carne
- In a bowl, add ground beef and the chili con carne seasoning: chili powder, cumin, oregano, and paprika. Set aside.
- Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat and cook bacon until browned and crisp. Transfer the bacon to a plate then once cool enough to handle, crumble into bits.
- Leave 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan, then raise the heat to medium high.
- Add onion and red bell pepper, and cook stirring until tender.
- Stir in garlic and tomato paste for 1 minute, then add the ground beef and the spices. Cook breaking up the beef until it’s mostly browned.
- Add in broth, diced tomatoes, potatoes, and lime juice. Once the mixture starts to boil, lower the heat to medium low to simmer.
- Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the chili has reduced and thickened.
- Salt to taste then serve hot, topped with optional garnishes.
Frequently Asked Questions About this Quick and Easy Beanless Chili Recipe
For this easy Whole30 chili recipe (or any chili recipe), I find that 80/20 ground beef tastes the best for that rich flavor. However, leaner beef will also work, if that’s what you prefer!
Chilis are ALL about garnishes! It’s your chance to liven up the texture and flavor. Here are some suggestions on what to add to chili con carne:
Рjalape̱o slices
– sour cream or dairy free yogurt, for paleo or Whole30
– avocado slices or chunks
– lime slices
– chopped red onion
– cotijo crumbles or shredded cheddar if you are fine with eating dairy (NOT paleo or Whole30)
While there are a ton of spices to this paleo beef chili, it’s NOT a spicy stew. Even my toddler loves this stew and gobbles it right up! If you want to add a bit more heat, you can try adding cayenne to the spice mix.
To store leftovers of paleo chili con carne, cool completely then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. If freezing, make sure to leave an inch of room from the lid to allow room for expansion once frozen.
If you enjoyed this paleo beef chili, you may also like…
- Whole30 Sweet Potato Chili (Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, or Stovetop)
- Instant Pot Whole30 Chili with Spaghetti Squash
- Paleo White Chicken Chili (Whole30, Keto)
- Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Paleo Buffalo Chicken Chili
- Easy Instant Pot Cabbage Soup with Ground Beef
Easy Chili Con Carne (Paleo, Whole30)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 4 slices bacon
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 1 red or green bell pepper chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups bone broth or beef broth
- 14 oz can of diced tomatoes
- 1 cup diced potatoes or sweet potatoes
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- Sea salt to taste
Optional Garnish
- Jalapeño slices
- Sour cream or dairy free yogurt, for paleo or Whole30
- Avocado chunks
- Lime slices
- Chopped red onion
- Cotijo crumbles or shredded cheddar if not dairy free
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine ground beef, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and paprika. Set aside.
- Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat and cook the bacon until browned and crispy, about 7-8 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a plate then crumble, once cool enough to handle.
- Remove all but 1 tablespoon of bacon fat from the pan, and increase the heat to medium high.
- Add onion and red bell pepper to the Dutch oven, and cook stirring for 5 minutes until tender.
- Stir in garlic and tomato paste for 1 minute, then add in the ground beef and spice mixture. Cook breaking up the beef until it's mostly browned, about 7 minutes.
- Add in broth, diced tomatoes, potatoes, and lime juice. Once the mixture starts to boil, lower the heat to medium low to simmer.
- Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the chili has reduced and thickened to your liking.
- Salt to taste then serve hot, topped with bacon and optional garnishes.
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I love that you add potatoes or sweet potatoes! I might add both, haha.
This is so hearty and satisfying and I love the added sweet potatoes.
It doesn’t say when to add bacon back in again. Potatoes definitely didn’t come in 15-20 mins but overall great flavors
Sorry about that! I added the instructions for the bacon. And I tend to cut the potatoes small, but if you cut them larger, they’ll take longer.