Easy No-Bean Chili Recipe: Hearty Comfort in a Bowl

No-bean chili sparks excitement for hearty, protein-packed meals that delight meat lovers and spice enthusiasts alike.

Robust ground beef revamps into a mouthwatering centerpiece, dancing with vibrant seasonings and aromatic ingredients.

Traditional chili expectations vanish when you experience this bean-free marvel that concentrates pure meaty intensity.

Subtle heat and complex layers emerge from carefully selected spices, creating a symphony of flavors that captivate your taste buds.

Home cooks seeking a straightforward yet impressive dinner will appreciate this streamlined approach to a classic comfort dish.

Filling and satisfying, this chili stands out with its bold character and simplified preparation method.

How to Make a Flavorful No-Bean Chili

Step 1: Prepare the Meat

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until completely browned with no pink remaining.

Step 2: Add Aromatic Vegetables

• Onions
• Green peppers
• Jalapeño
• Minced garlic

Stir and let them soften for several minutes.

Step 3: Spice It Up

• Cumin
• Paprika
• Chili powder
• Salt
• Pepper

Mix thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.

Step 4: Build Depth of Flavor

Add tomato paste and cornmeal to the pot. The mixture might look dry, but keep stirring for a few minutes to develop rich flavors.

Step 5: Create the Liquid Base

Pour in diced tomatoes and beef stock. Deglaze the pan by scraping up any stuck bits from the bottom.

Step 6: Simmer to Perfection

Bring the chili to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Let it simmer for at least 10 minutes, adding water if needed to maintain desired consistency.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

• Grated cheddar cheese
• Sour cream
• Fresh scallions

Step 8: Store and Enjoy Later

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat slowly on the stovetop when ready to enjoy.

Tips for Cooking the Best No-Bean Chili

• Master Meat Browning: Ensure ground beef is fully browned without pink spots for maximum flavor development and food safety.
• Spice Layer Building: Toast spices with meat and vegetables to intensify their aromatic qualities and create a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Cornmeal Magic: Add cornmeal gradually to provide natural thickening and create a rich, hearty texture without using beans.
• Liquid Balance Control: Monitor chili's consistency during simmering, adding water sparingly to prevent burning and maintain desired thickness.
• Smart Storage Strategy: Cool chili completely before refrigerating or freezing to preserve texture and prevent moisture buildup in containers.

Storing and Reheating No-Bean Chili

• Store Leftovers in Airtight Containers
• Transfer your no-bean chili to sealed glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Refrigerate within two hours of cooking to maintain optimal freshness and prevent bacterial growth. Cool the chili completely before storing to preserve its rich flavors and texture.
• Refrigerator Storage
• Keep your chili in the refrigerator for 3-4 days maximum. Use shallow containers to help the chili cool faster and promote even temperature distribution. Label containers with the date to track freshness and ensure you consume within the recommended timeframe.
• Reheating Methods
• Stovetop Reheat: Pour chili into a saucepan and warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of beef stock or water to restore moisture if the chili appears dry.

Pairing No-Bean Chili with Sides You’ll Love

• Amplify Flavor with Bold Red Wine: Pair this hearty no-bean chili with a robust Zinfandel or Syrah, which complement the rich beef and spicy seasonings, cutting through the dish's intense flavor profile.
• Craft the Perfect Cheese Companion: Serve alongside sharp cheddar cheese curds or crumbled queso fresco to enhance the chili's depth, adding creamy texture and tangy undertones that balance the meat's richness.
• Create Crisp Side Crunch: Accompany the chili with warm cornbread or crispy tortilla chips, providing a satisfying textural contrast and helping to soak up the delicious spicy sauce while adding a subtle corn-based sweetness.
• Refresh with Cooling Beverage: Balance the chili's heat by serving with an ice-cold Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or a crisp pilsner, which helps cool down the palate and cleanse between spicy bites.

Hearty No-Bean Chili for a Cozy Meal

• Unleash Meaty Flavor Explosion: This no-bean chili delivers intense, rich beef taste through careful browning and strategic seasoning, creating a deeply satisfying meal that packs a punch in every single bite.
• Quick and Versatile Cooking Method: The one-pot cooking technique makes preparation simple and cleanup easy, allowing home cooks to create a hearty meal in under 30 minutes with minimal kitchen hassle and maximum deliciousness.
• Protein-Packed Comfort Food: Loaded with 30 grams of protein per serving, this chili provides substantial nutrition and keeps you feeling full and energized, making it perfect for active individuals, fitness enthusiasts, or anyone craving a robust meal.
• Flexible Freezer-Friendly Option: Designed for convenience, this chili can be stored in the freezer for up to two months, offering a convenient make-ahead meal that maintains its robust flavors and texture when reheated slowly on the stovetop.

Ingredients You Need for No-Bean Chili

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that forms the core of the chili, choose 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio for best flavor and texture.

• Onions, Green Peppers, Jalapeño: Fresh vegetables that add depth, crunch, and subtle heat to the chili.
• Garlic: Provides a robust, aromatic foundation that enhances overall flavor profile.

• Cumin, Paprika, Chili Powder: Classic spice blend that gives traditional chili its signature warmth and complexity.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and highlighting other flavors in the dish.

• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that helps thicken the chili and adds rich color.
• Cornmeal: Provides subtle texture and helps to slightly thicken the sauce.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds moisture and bright tomato flavor to the chili.
• Beef Stock: Creates a rich, savory liquid base for simmering the chili.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, melty topping that adds richness and creamy texture.
• Sour Cream: Cool, tangy complement that balances the chilis heat.
• Scallions: Fresh, green onion garnish that provides a light, crisp finish.

• Olive Oil: Used for initial cooking and preventing ingredients from sticking to the pot.

Variations of No-Bean Chili to Explore

• Smoky Chipotle Chili: Replace jalapeño with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a deep, smoky flavor profile that adds rich complexity to the dish.
• Mediterranean Spice Blend: Swap traditional chili spices with za'atar, cumin, and smoked paprika to create a Middle Eastern-inspired meat sauce with unique aromatic undertones.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Edition: Incorporate riced cauliflower during the final simmering stage to boost vegetable content and reduce overall carbohydrate count while maintaining hearty texture.
• Verde Style Chili: Substitute diced tomatoes with green salsa verde and add chopped green chiles for a tangy, bright green-hued version that offers a different taste experience.

No-Bean Chili Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty no-bean chili delivers robust Texas-style comfort with ground beef, rich tomatoes, and warming spices. Spicy, meaty perfection comes together in one pot, inviting you to savor authentic southwestern flavors without traditional legumes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) lean ground beef

Tomato Base:

• 6 ounces (170 grams) tomato paste
• 1 (28-ounce / 794 grams) can chunky tomato puree or diced tomatoes
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) beef stock

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• 1 white onion, diced
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons (10 grams) cumin
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) paprika
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) mild chili powder
• 1 teaspoon (6 grams) kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon (2 grams) freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons (16 grams) cornmeal

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Instructions

1. Warm a thin layer of olive oil (15 milliliters or ) in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add ground beef (453 grams or ) and use a wooden spoon to break apart the meat while cooking for 5 to 6 minutes until completely browned with no pink visible.
3. Introduce diced onions (1 medium), chopped green peppers (1 medium), minced jalapeño (1 small), and crushed garlic cloves (3 pieces) into the meat mixture; sauté and stir until vegetables become tender and fragrant.
4. Sprinkle ground cumin (7 grams or ), paprika (5 grams or ), chili powder (10 grams or ), kosher salt (5 grams or ), and black pepper (2 grams or ) over the meat and vegetable mixture; thoroughly incorporate all spices.
5. Fold in tomato paste (30 grams or ) and cornmeal (30 grams or ), stirring constantly to prevent sticking and develop deeper flavor layers.
6. Pour diced tomatoes (400 grams or ) and beef stock (240 milliliters or ) into the pot, using liquid to deglaze and lift any caramelized bits from the bottom.
7. Reduce heat to low after bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer; let chili cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes, occasionally stirring and adding water if the consistency becomes too thick.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before removing from heat.
9. Ladle chili into serving bowls and garnish with shredded cheddar cheese (60 grams or ), dollop of sour cream (30 grams or ), and thinly sliced scallions.
10. Refrigerate any remaining chili in sealed containers for up to 4 days or freeze for 2 months, reheating gently on the stovetop when ready to serve.

Notes

• Slow cooking transforms ground beef into a rich, deeply flavored base that concentrates savory taste.
• Cornmeal acts as a secret thickening agent, adding unexpected texture and subtle corn undertones to the chili.
• Deglazing with beef stock captures all those delicious browned bits stuck to the pot’s bottom, maximizing flavor complexity.
• Fresh garnishes like sharp cheddar, cool sour cream, and crisp scallions provide contrasting temperatures and textures.
• Freezing portions allows quick weeknight meals with minimal prep, making this recipe perfect for busy home cooks.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg