Hearty No Bean Chili Recipe - Butter Your Biscuit (2024)

Published: by Wendie · 2 Comments

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No-Bean Chili is loaded with ground beef, tomatoes, and green chilis, a family favorite on a cold day. You'll love all the deep flavors in this meaty chili recipe.

Hearty No Bean Chili Recipe - Butter Your Biscuit (1)

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Chili without beans is otherwise known as a Texas chili or chili con carne, more like a spicy stew without the beans. This chili is loaded with so much flavor, you'll never even miss the beans. Served with all your favorite toppings and with a side of mySweet Honey Cornbreador simply saltine crackers.

Chili is always better the next day. The flavors have all that time to mesh together. I usually have some of this in the freezer for those Summer nights when we crave a chili dog. I do have a couple of other chili recipes that have beans,Roasted Poblano pepper Beef Chili,andmy Steak Chili Recipe.

Why this recipe works

This is the best chili it's loaded with ground beef, onions, tomatoes, peppers, and lots of yummy spices. Since the beans are left out it's perfect for topping hot dogs, baked potatoes, or even chili cheese fries. This chili without beans recipe is so easy to prepare and be made in advance and is perfect for the freezer!

Ingredients For No-Bean Chili

Hearty No Bean Chili Recipe - Butter Your Biscuit (2)

Ingredients Notes

Ground Beef: I recommend 80/20, but if you want a lean ground beef you can use that. Ground turkey can also be used.

Onion: I prefer to use a sweet onion.

Cocoa: Make sure it's unsweetened.

Flavorful spices: chili powder, cumin, oregano

Canned tomatoes: do not drain

Beef broth: Low sodium to help control the sodium level.

How to make No Bean Chili

Hearty No Bean Chili Recipe - Butter Your Biscuit (3)

Step 1: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven on medium heat and add in the ground beef, onions, salt, and pepper.

Step 2: Next add in the chili seasonings and tomato paste.

Hearty No Bean Chili Recipe - Butter Your Biscuit (4)

Step 3: Followed by the beef stock, tomatoes, green chiles, and bay leaf.

Step 4: Simmer stirring occasionally, then add in cilantro and serve!

Hearty No Bean Chili Recipe - Butter Your Biscuit (5)

Recipe Tips

Make this chili in advance it's always better after a day or two and the flavors blend.

The chili needs to simmer for at least an hour but you can leave it longer if needed.

Heat level Add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes to turn up the heat.

Hearty No Bean Chili Recipe - Butter Your Biscuit (6)

FAQ's

Can I make this in the slow cooker?

Absolutely, just brown the ground beef add all the ingredients into the crockpot, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

How to store this recipe

Store this easy no bean chili in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Or freeze for up to 3 months.

How long do I cook chili?

I like to use my5qt Cast Iron Potfor this no-bean chili and it's done in an hour. Although the longer you simmer chili the better it gets. It will thicken up more and the flavors will become richer.

What toppings go on chili?

Shredded cheddar cheese
Onions
Sour cream
Diced avocado
Cilantro
Salsa
Diced tomato
Green onions
Red onion
Fritos or tortilla chips

Which ground meat is best for beanless chili?

I like to use ground beef that's 80/20 because I feel it has the best flavor. You can definitely use a 90/10 for a lean ground beef option. Or swap out the beef altogether and use ground chicken or ground turkey.

More comfort food recipes

  • Hearty Beef Stew
  • Loaded Potato Soup
  • Slow Cooker Bean and Bacon Soup
  • Mini Freezer Chicken Pot Pies

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Hearty No Bean Chili Recipe - Butter Your Biscuit (11)

No-Bean Chili

Wendie

This delicious no-bean chili is loaded with ground beef, tomatoes and green chilis. It's savory, filling and so satisifying!

4.41 from 50 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course Entrees

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 6

Calories 342 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 8 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1 6- oz can tomato paste
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 5 cups beef broth, low sodium
  • 2-15 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1-15 oz can diced tomatoes with liquid
  • 1-7 oz can green chilis
  • 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
  • 1 large bay leaf
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

  • Heat a large pot on medium-high heat and add ground beef, onions, salt, and pepper. Cook until browned, add in garlic and cook another 30 seconds. Drain fat from the beef.

  • Add in tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and cocoa powder, and mix in with the ground beef for about 1 minute.

  • Add in beef broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with liquid) chilis, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour.

  • Remove bay leaf and mix in cilantro.

  • Serve with your favorite toppings.

Video

Notes

If you prefer beans in your chili, add 2 (15-ounce) cans of drained pinto beans.

Make this chili in advance it's always better after a day or two and the flavors blend.

The chili needs to simmer for at least an hour but you can leave it longer if needed.

Heat level- Add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes to turn up the heat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 342kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 30gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 604mgFiber: 6gSugar: 9g

Keyword chili

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hearty No Bean Chili Recipe - Butter Your Biscuit (12)Wendie

    Just straight chili powder.

  2. Hearty No Bean Chili Recipe - Butter Your Biscuit (13)Jessie

    Hi what type of chili powder do you use is it the mix blend or just straight chili powder like the New Mexico chili powder?

    Thanks

Leave a Reply

Hearty No Bean Chili Recipe - Butter Your Biscuit (2024)

FAQs

Why do people put butter in their chili? ›

Butter smooths out the bitterness and adds its unique richness, making you take another bite without quite knowing why. A dash of sugar and vinegar gives a sweet-sour flavor that also makes the sauce rounder and more satisfying.

Why do Texans say no beans in chili? ›

Along the way, chili became associated with cowboy culture, which is, after all, an extension of Spanish and Mexican vaquero traditions. Perhaps these Texans emphasized the "carne" part of chili because beans were already overemployed at the chuck wagon.

What does peanut butter do to chili? ›

It also can help add richness by complementing the chile powder with its nutty sweetness, and the healthy fats in peanut butter can even tame your chili if it's too spicy. Next time, when making your favorite tomato-based chili recipe, consider adding a hearty tablespoon or two of peanut butter.

What makes chili taste better? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

Why are beans forbidden in chili? ›

No-beans side argue that beans distract your mouth from the beef and spices that chili is supposed to showcase. Texans in particular are likely to reject beans; in fact, the no-bean version is often referred to as Texas chili.

Do Mexicans put beans in chili? ›

"In Mexico, chili is made from vegetables, including various chili peppers, and seasonings. Chili con carne (with meat) has meat added, and chili beans have beans. We in the U.S. have generalized chili to mean almost anything with chili powder in it.

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

A cup of strong, brewed coffee will work wonders for your pot of chili, imparting a deep, roasted flavor that will make the chili taste like it simmered away all day long. For maximum flavor, reduce the coffee along with a blend of tomato paste, aromatic veggies and spices like we do in our Spicy Vegetarian Chili.

Why do you put brown sugar in chili? ›

The real key to great chili however is brown sugar! In fact, brown sugar is what gives the chili a subtle sweetness you never even knew you were missing. With both subtly sweet tones and punches of heat, this Sweet and Spicy Chili, lives up to it's name, it truly is sweet and sassy!

Why do people put baking soda in chili? ›

According to the magazine's food experimenters, the baking soda treatment will definitely keep the meat tender and juicy when cooked.

What does Wendy's make their chili from? ›

Chili Concentrate: Chili Sauce (Water, Tomato Juice, Tomatoes, Calcium Chloride, Seasoning (Sugar, Salt, Corn Starch, Dried Chilies, Spices, Flavor Enhancer [Dextrose, Salt, Yeast Extract, Silicon Dioxide, Modified Corn Starch], Citric Acid, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate, Xanthan gum), Beans (Pink Beans, Red ...

What are the ingredients in Dixie chili? ›

Founded in 1929 by Nicholas D. Sarakatsannis, Dixie Chili set the standard for quality food at reasonable prices. "Papa Nick" developed his secret chili recipe using only the highest quality ingredients: 96% Fat Free Beef Chuck, Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese, Bermuda Onions, and 100% Semolina Wheat Spaghetti.

Does butter help with chili? ›

Milk and dairy products contain a protein called casein that is able to bind with capsaicin before it reaches our tongue, so it can reach fewer receptors, and lessens the sensation of spice. If your dish is too spicy, try adding heavy cream, yogurt, sour cream or butter to help mellow it out.

Why does butter make meat taste better? ›

The reason lies in the fat-soluble flavor compounds found in both butter and meat. When combined, these compounds create a richer, more intensified taste experience.

Does butter thicken chili? ›

Butter & Flour

You can still thicken your chili with some pantry staples you most likely have on hand. Butter and flour are commonly used to give sauces and stews a rich texture (like gumbo, for example).

Why do chefs use butter? ›

But butter and oils make food taste better and even enhance texture and appearance They are essential to some methods of cooking and to some foods. Reasonable amounts of them once in a while are not harmful.

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