Truly heartwarming and packing a big (big!) flavor punch, this paleo and keto chili is bound to have you swooning!

Paleo & Keto Chili 🌶️

Simply the best 😜

There are numerous (endless?!) ways to tackle chili, starting with the meat. Be it chicken or beef, ground or Texas-style chunks. Hey, you can even make it vegan with just veggies! And, of course, the spices used (and amounts) vary widely to taste.

Real chili purists will advocate for a chili with little tomato and no beans. As in… naturally keto!

And this recipe is a mix of just that. A traditional chili recipe sans beans, mixed with a friend’s sweet grandma’s recipe (a real crowd pleaser). The story goes that no one has ever left the table without going for seconds on this one, and I can definitely attest to that!

Her trick is to lightly caramelize the onions before adding in the beef for a big flavor boost, allowing each ingredient to cook fully before adding in the next. Plus! Her additions of a touch of beer and coffee truly are marvelous. Enjoy!

The Method

You ought to be browning each ingredient fully before you add in the next one. It might seem excessive even, but every great slow cooking meat dish has this in common. Be it American chili, Italian ragù, Mexican mole or French bourguignon.

So repeat after me: browning is truly essential.

Seconded only by the longest possible cooking time. I think 3 hours is good enough if you’re in a pickle, but if you can stretch it to 5 or 6 (or even 8!) you’re golden. Just keep adding 1/4 cup stock or water as needed.

The Spices

Chili spices can vary a lot in taste (and preference!). Buying a ready-made chili powder mix is a good place to start.

But do feel free to play around with the individual spices to your liking (think chili, oregano, cumin, coriander, paprika, chipotle… you could even add some chili ancho!).

One last trick

Make your chili the day before. Second-day chili is always best, so go ahead and make it the day before. Or at the very least make a double batch, because you seriously will want to try second-day chili.

Ah, and don’t forget the keto ‘cornbread’!

Simple, Best Paleo & Keto Chili

Course: Main, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dairy free, keto, low carb, paleo

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 251 kcal

Truly heartwarming and packing a big (big!) flavor punch, this paleo and keto chili is bound to have you swooning! Plus, it's truly ideal for meal prepping away. 

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Ingredients

• 3 cloves garlic ran through a press
• 1 large onion finely chopped
• 500 g ground beef
• 2 cloves
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder *
• 1-2 teaspoons ground cumin to taste
• 1-2 teaspoons paprika to taste
• 1 teaspoon ground oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder optional, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, to taste
• 1 400 g can diced tomatoes
• 240 ml beef broth
• 120 ml (gluten free or low carb) beer optional**
• 60 ml strong brewed coffee optional**
• kosher salt to taste

Serving suggestions

• our keto 'cornbread'!

Metric - US Cups

Instructions

1. Heat up olive oil in a dutch oven or large pot over medium/high heat. Add garlic and onion, and cook until it just begins to brown (about 8 minutes). 

2. Lower heat to medium, add ground beef, cloves and a large pinch of salt. Cook until it begins to brown, stirring every so often (5 to 7 minutes). Add in all the spices and cook for a couple more minutes until fragrant. Some peeps enjoy their chili spicier, others strong on cumin, etc... so feel free to adjust the spices slowly as the chili cooks (the fun part!). 

3. Add tomatoes and continue to cook over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Lower the heat to low and continue to cook for 15 minutes, stirring every so often.

4. Add in the beef broth, beer (optional) and coffee (optional). Continue to cook for 3 to 8 hours. Adding 1/4 cup water (or broth) at a time, as needed. Remember that the longer you cook it, the more flavor it gets! 

5. Allow your chili to rest for 10 minutes prior to serving with your favorite toppings.

Recipe Notes

*Chili spices can vary a lot in taste (and preference!). Buying a ready-made chili powder mix is a good place to start. But do feel free to play around with the individual spices to your liking (think chili, oregano, cumin, coriander, paprika, chipotle... you could even add some chili ancho!).

**Adding in some (gluten free, low carb) beer and coffee add a bunch of flavor. But totally optional, and your chili will still be magnificent without them! 

Please note that nutrition facts were estimated per serving (assuming a yield of 6). 

Nutrition Facts

Simple, Best Paleo & Keto Chili

Amount Per Serving

Calories 251 Calories from Fat 153

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 17g 26%

Saturated Fat 6g 30%

Cholesterol 59mg 20%

Sodium 338mg 14%

Potassium 474mg 14%

Total Carbohydrates 6g 2%

Dietary Fiber 2g 8%

Sugars 2g

Protein 16g 32%

Vitamin A 21.8%

Vitamin C 9.8%

Calcium 5.7%

Iron 18.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.