Name: Keto Chili Recipe
Ingredients: 1 tbsp Olive Oil: Olive oil serves as the healthy cooking fat and adds a subtle fruity note to the base of the chili. You can also use avocado oil or coconut oil as keto-friendly alternatives. Starting with a good quality oil helps build flavor from the very first step.; 1/2 Large Red Onion, Chopped: Red onion provides a slightly sweet and pungent flavor that deepens as it cooks. Chopping it finely ensures it softens and blends seamlessly into the chili, adding flavor without overpowering the other ingredients. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can use yellow onion instead.; 2 Cloves Garlic, Diced: Garlic is an essential aromatic that adds depth and complexity to the chili. Dicing it finely releases its flavor quickly and prevents it from burning during the initial sautéing process. Fresh garlic is always preferred for its robust flavor, but in a pinch, pre-minced garlic will also work.; 2 lbs 80/20 Ground Beef: The star of the show! 80/20 ground beef is recommended for keto chili because the higher fat content contributes to flavor and satiety, essential for a ketogenic diet. The fat renders out during cooking, adding richness to the chili. You can also use 85/15 ground beef if you prefer slightly leaner meat, but the 80/20 will provide a more flavorful and juicy result. For variations, you could also consider using ground turkey or ground chicken, though you might need to adjust cooking time slightly.; 1 Serving Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix (See Recipe Below): Pre-packaged chili seasoning mixes often contain added sugars and starches that are not keto-friendly. Making your own chili seasoning allows you to control the ingredients and customize the spice level to your liking. A homemade mix also tastes significantly fresher and more flavorful. The recipe for a fantastic homemade chili seasoning mix is provided below!; 1 Medium Red Bell Pepper, Chopped: Red bell pepper adds a touch of sweetness, vibrant color, and a subtle crunch to the chili. It also provides some essential vitamins. While red bell pepper is preferred for its sweetness, you can also use green, yellow, or orange bell peppers, or a combination, depending on your preference.; 28 oz Can Diced Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes form the base of the chili sauce, providing acidity, moisture, and that classic tomato flavor. Opt for no-salt-added diced tomatoes to control the sodium content. You can also use fire-roasted diced tomatoes for a smokier flavor profile.; 3 oz Tomato Paste: Tomato paste is a concentrated form of tomatoes that adds richness, depth of flavor, and thickens the chili sauce. A little goes a long way in enhancing the overall taste. Ensure you use plain tomato paste without any added seasonings or sugars.; 1 1/2 cups Beef Stock: Beef stock (or broth) provides the liquid base for the chili and adds savory depth. Choose a good quality beef stock, preferably low-sodium, to control the saltiness. You can also use bone broth for added nutritional benefits and richness. If you don’t have beef stock, chicken stock or even water can be used as substitutes, but beef stock will provide the most authentic chili flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

1 tbsp Olive Oil: Olive oil serves as the healthy cooking fat and adds a subtle fruity note to the base of the chili. You can also use avocado oil or coconut oil as keto-friendly alternatives. Starting with a good quality oil helps build flavor from the very first step.

1/2 Large Red Onion, Chopped: Red onion provides a slightly sweet and pungent flavor that deepens as it cooks. Chopping it finely ensures it softens and blends seamlessly into the chili, adding flavor without overpowering the other ingredients. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can use yellow onion instead.

2 Cloves Garlic, Diced: Garlic is an essential aromatic that adds depth and complexity to the chili. Dicing it finely releases its flavor quickly and prevents it from burning during the initial sautéing process. Fresh garlic is always preferred for its robust flavor, but in a pinch, pre-minced garlic will also work.

2 lbs 80/20 Ground Beef: The star of the show! 80/20 ground beef is recommended for keto chili because the higher fat content contributes to flavor and satiety, essential for a ketogenic diet. The fat renders out during cooking, adding richness to the chili. You can also use 85/15 ground beef if you prefer slightly leaner meat, but the 80/20 will provide a more flavorful and juicy result. For variations, you could also consider using ground turkey or ground chicken, though you might need to adjust cooking time slightly.

1 Serving Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix (See Recipe Below): Pre-packaged chili seasoning mixes often contain added sugars and starches that are not keto-friendly. Making your own chili seasoning allows you to control the ingredients and customize the spice level to your liking. A homemade mix also tastes significantly fresher and more flavorful. The recipe for a fantastic homemade chili seasoning mix is provided below!

1 Medium Red Bell Pepper, Chopped: Red bell pepper adds a touch of sweetness, vibrant color, and a subtle crunch to the chili. It also provides some essential vitamins. While red bell pepper is preferred for its sweetness, you can also use green, yellow, or orange bell peppers, or a combination, depending on your preference.

28 oz Can Diced Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes form the base of the chili sauce, providing acidity, moisture, and that classic tomato flavor. Opt for no-salt-added diced tomatoes to control the sodium content. You can also use fire-roasted diced tomatoes for a smokier flavor profile.

3 oz Tomato Paste: Tomato paste is a concentrated form of tomatoes that adds richness, depth of flavor, and thickens the chili sauce. A little goes a long way in enhancing the overall taste. Ensure you use plain tomato paste without any added seasonings or sugars.

1 1/2 cups Beef Stock: Beef stock (or broth) provides the liquid base for the chili and adds savory depth. Choose a good quality beef stock, preferably low-sodium, to control the saltiness. You can also use bone broth for added nutritional benefits and richness. If you don’t have beef stock, chicken stock or even water can be used as substitutes, but beef stock will provide the most authentic chili flavor.

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Instructions

Sauté the Aromatics: Place a large sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and let it heat up for a moment until it shimmers. Add the ½ chopped red onion to the pan and sauté, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes, or until the onion begins to soften and turn translucent. This process, called “sweating” the onions, releases their natural sugars and mellows their flavor, creating a flavorful base for the chili. Avoid browning the onions at this stage, as we want them to be soft and sweet, not caramelized.

Add Garlic and Bloom: Once the onions are translucent, add the 2 diced cloves of garlic to the pan. Continue to sauté for another 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the garlic becomes fragrant and just starts to turn a light golden brown. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as burnt garlic can become bitter. Cooking the garlic with the onions at this stage “blooms” their flavors, releasing their aromatic compounds and enhancing the overall depth of the chili.

Brown the Ground Beef: Increase the heat to medium and add the 2 lbs of 80/20 ground beef to the pan. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break up the ground beef into smaller pieces. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and cooked through. This usually takes about 7-10 minutes. Browning the beef is crucial for developing rich, savory flavors in the chili. As the beef cooks, it will release fat. There’s no need to drain the fat at this stage as it contributes to the flavor and richness of the keto chili.

Incorporate the Chili Seasoning and Bell Pepper: Once the ground beef is fully cooked and browned, reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the prepared serving of Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix and the 1 chopped red bell pepper to the pan. Stir thoroughly to ensure the chili seasoning is evenly distributed and coats the beef and bell pepper. Sauté for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the spices to “bloom” and release their aromas. This step infuses the beef and vegetables with the characteristic chili flavor.

Add Tomatoes, Tomato Paste, and Beef Stock: Pour in the 28 oz can of diced tomatoes (undrained), add the 3 oz of tomato paste, and pour in 1 ½ cups of beef stock. Stir everything together well to combine all the ingredients. Ensure the tomato paste is fully dissolved into the liquid. The diced tomatoes provide the base liquid and texture, the tomato paste adds concentrated tomato flavor and richness, and the beef stock provides additional depth and moisture for simmering.

Bring to a Simmer, Then Reduce Heat: Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the chili mixture to a low boil. Once it starts to gently bubble, immediately reduce the heat to low, so the chili is at a gentle simmer. Simmering allows the flavors to meld and deepen over time, resulting in a more complex and flavorful chili.

Simmer Uncovered: Simmer the chili, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Simmering uncovered allows some of the excess liquid to evaporate, thickening the chili to the desired consistency. Stirring occasionally prevents the chili from sticking to the bottom of the pan and ensures even cooking. During the simmering process, you’ll notice the chili becoming richer in color and aroma.

Taste and Adjust Seasoning: After simmering for 20-25 minutes, taste the chili and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, chili powder, or cayenne pepper to reach your desired flavor profile. This is also a good time to add a pinch of sweetener like erythritol or stevia if you prefer a slightly sweeter chili, although this is optional and depends on your personal taste preference.

Serve and Enjoy!: Your delicious Keto Chili is now ready to be served! Ladle the chili into bowls and serve as is, or top with your favorite keto-friendly toppings (see serving suggestions below). Enjoy the warmth, flavor, and satisfaction of your homemade keto chili!

Nutrition

Serving Size: One Normal Portion
Calories: 349 kcal