Hearty no bean beef chili with no beans is easy to make and can be used in so many ways. Made with two kinds of meat, this chili is comfort food at its best.
When it comes to chili, we have a few recipes we use regularly, and this recipe is one of them. No bean chili is our kids’ favourite because it doesn’t have beans, which our kids don’t like.
If you prefer beans in your chili, check out our Smoked Chili Recipe.
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Ingredients For Beef Chili
This recipe is made with two kinds of meat, spices, and a few other ingredients.
- Ground Beef. This recipe uses lean ground beef.
- Bacon. Our favourite bacon to use in this recipe is Applewood Smoked Bacon. It adds extra flavour. But regular bacon can also be used.
- Canned Tomatoes. For this ingredient, no salt added diced tomatoes is used.
- Onion and Garlic. Browned together, these add flavour to the dish.
- Mexican Oregano. This oregano is more savory than the kind used in Mediterranean dishes.
- Chili Powder, Cumin, Salt and Pepper. These make up the seasoning for the chili.
- Worcestershire Sauce. A small amount is added to the chili.
- Olive Oil. This is used to brown the onion and garlic.
- Jalapeno. This ingredient is optional and the amount can also be changed to suit your tastes. More for a fiery chili, less or none for less heat.
Alternative Ingredients for No Bean Chili
Some of the ingredients in this recipe can be swapped for alternatives.
- Ground Turkey or ground chicken can replace the ground beef in this recipe.
- The jalapeno can be replaced with poblano peppers or Anaheim peppers. Any hot peppers of your choice can be used.
- Diced tomatoes are what is used in this recipe but ground tomatoes can also be used. Or a can of each.
How To Make This Chili Recipe
Making this chili is very easy. All you need is one pot to make it, too!
The entire recipe is made in one pot. We like to use a 5-quart Dutch oven to cook everything in because a Dutch oven holds even heat.
The onion and garlic are browned first. The meat is then added to the pot to brown. Drain off grease. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 2-3 hours until thickened and tomatoes are broken down.
We make this on the BBQ as well, either on the side burner or sometimes on the charcoal grill. As long as there is a constant heat, this chili can be made.
Uses For No Bean Beef Chili
This no-bean chili is great on its own but even better with toppings or as a topping. We love finding new ways to use this recipe.
Toppings:
Choose one or all of these toppings to take chili to another level.
- Cheddar. Shredded cheddar is a popular topping for chili.
- Sour Cream. Adding a spoonful of sour cream on top of the chili is a great way to add a creaminess that cuts the bite if you add hot peppers to the chili.
- Jalapenos. Diced jalapenos or pickled jalapenos add a bit of heat to chili.
- Onions. Diced white onions make a great topping.
- Hot Sauce. If you like spicier chili, add a dash or two of hot sauce.
- Cheese Sauce. A queso or cheese sauce goes well with chili.
- Tortilla Chips. To add crunch, top chili with tortilla chips or strips.
What to Top With Chili
- Burgers. Chili is a great topping for cheeseburgers.
- Hot Dogs. Turn a hot dog into a Chili Cheese Dog with this chili and shredded cheese.
- Sausages. Just like hot dogs, you can top sausages on a bun with chili.
- Baked potatoes. Top baked potatoes with chili, sour cream, and cheese.
- Nachos. Chili makes a great topping for nachos in place of ground beef.
Storing Leftover Chili
Any leftover chili should be stored in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 3 days. It can be reheated in the microwave, or a pot on the stove.
Chili can also be frozen in an air-tight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
Hearty No Bean Beef Chili
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 package bacon, chopped
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 cans diced tomatoes, 796ml
- 5 Tbsp chili powder
- 2 Tbsp Mexican oregano
- 2 Tbsp cumin
- 2 medium jalapenos, diced small
- 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1½ tsp Kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat.
- Add onion and garlic to oil and cook until starts to brown, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add bacon and continue cooking to brown the bacon.
- Drain fat from the pot.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned. Skim fat if necessary.
- Pour in canned tomatoes, stirring to combine.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients.
- Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Cover pot and simmer for 2-3 hours or until thickened and tomatoes have broken down. Stir often to avoid burning on the bottom of the pot.
- Serve hot with your favourite toppings.
