This keto ground beef chili is a thick, bean free pot of beef, tomato paste, and warm spices topped with cheddar, avocado, and sour cream. It keeps the carbs low and the flavor big. Every serving is packed with protein and plenty of fat to keep you full.
Two pounds of beef feed a crowd and reheat well. A little tomato paste and a long simmer replace the beans with body.
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Why This Keto Ground Beef Chili Recipe Works
Tomato paste and a long simmer thicken the pot with no beans or flour. The sauce turns glossy and clings to the beef. Simmering with the lid off helps the liquid cook down faster.
Fatty ground beef carries the spices well, so every bite tastes full. Olive oil starts the pot and softens the vegetables. It also helps the spices dissolve and spread through the meat.
Toppings like avocado and sour cream add creaminess and keep the bowl low in carbs.
Ingredients for Keto Ground Beef Chili
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pounds ground beef, 80 percent lean
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Toppings: 1 cup shredded cheddar, 1 diced avocado, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Ground beef. Eighty percent lean beef keeps the chili juicy, and the extra fat suits a keto plan.
Tomato paste. It gives concentrated flavor and body, so you do not need beans or flour.
Diced tomatoes. A single can adds juice and light texture while keeping the carbs low.
Beef broth. Low sodium broth thins the pot to a spoonable chili without adding extra salt.
Chili powder and cumin. Check the label, because some chili powders contain added starch or sugar.
How to Make Keto Ground Beef Chili
1. Brown the beef Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat and brown the beef in two batches for 8 to 10 minutes until no pink remains.
2. Soften the vegetables Add the onion and pepper and cook for 5 minutes until soft.
3. Bloom the spices Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper for 1 minute.
4. Add the liquids Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, and broth and scrape the bottom of the pot.
5. Simmer Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring now and then, until thick.
6. Top and serve Taste for salt, then ladle into bowls and top with cheddar, avocado, sour cream, and green onions.
How to Serve Keto Ground Beef Chili
Serve the chili in bowls with extra toppings on the side. Air fryer broccoli with Parmesan and an Italian house salad keep the meal low in carbs. Whipped feta dip with honey and a cucumber tomato feta salad make easy extras.
How to Store and Reheat Keto Ground Beef Chili
Cool the chili within two hours and refrigerate in airtight containers for 3 to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months without the toppings, and thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stove to 165 degrees F.
Tips and Variations for Keto Ground Beef Chili
Brown in batches. Crowding the pot steams the beef, so split two pounds into two batches.
Cook the beef fully. Ground beef is safe at 160 degrees F, so make sure no pink remains before adding liquids.
Skim the fat. Spoon off extra fat from the surface if the chili looks greasy before serving. Tilt the pot and skim with a large spoon.
Watch the carbs. Tomatoes, onion, and pepper add carbs, so measure them if you track closely.
Check labels. Some chili powders and broths contain sugar or starch, so read labels for a keto diet.
Thicken without flour. Simmer uncovered or add another spoon of tomato paste for a thicker chili.
Flag the allergens. Cheddar and sour cream contain milk, so offer toppings on the side for guests with allergies.
Check trusted guidance. For general storage advice for cooked meat, see the University of Minnesota Extension guide to storing leftovers before you pack up the pot.
Frequently Asked Questions About Keto Ground Beef Chili
Is keto ground beef chili really low in carbs?
It is, with about 11 grams of carbs per serving including toppings. The tomatoes and onion supply most of them.
Can I make keto ground beef chili in a slow cooker?
Yes, brown the beef first, then cook everything on low for 6 to 8 hours.
What can I use in place of beans in keto ground beef chili?
Diced zucchini or mushrooms add texture in place of beans. Add them in the last 20 minutes. They soak up the sauce and keep the pot lower in calories.
Can I use ground turkey?
Yes, though it is leaner, so add an extra spoon of oil and cook it to 165 degrees F.
How do I thin the chili?
Stir in a splash of broth or water until it reaches the thickness you like. Add liquid slowly, because the chili thins quickly.
Keto Ground Beef Chili
Equipment
- large heavy pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 lb ground beef 80 percent lean
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 bell pepper chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 14 oz diced tomatoes canned
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cup low sodium beef broth
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese for topping
- 1 avocado diced, for topping
- ½ cup sour cream for topping
- ¼ cup green onions chopped, for topping
Instructions
Cooking
- Brown the beef. Cook the beef in the oil in two batches over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes total, until browned with no pink left.
- Soften the vegetables. Add the onion and pepper and cook for 5 minutes, until soft, then add the garlic and spices for 1 minute.
- Add the liquids. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, and broth.
- Simmer. Simmer for 30 to 45 minutes over low heat, until the chili is thick and glossy.
- Top. Taste for salt, then ladle into bowls and top with cheddar, avocado, sour cream, and green onions.
