Easy Keto Chili Con Carne Recipe🥘

Published May 30, 2024 by
Scott Groth
| Post updated: December 16, 2024 |
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Nothing beats the savory goodness of tender, slow-cooked meat slathered with chili for a bold, spicy flavor. This Keto Chili Con Carne recipe is a fantastic retake of the traditional chili con carne. It packs huge flavors from two meats and a few simple ingredients. I removed beans to lower the dish's carb count, and trust me, no one will miss chili with beans!

The delightful low-carb chili con carne keeps well in the fridge, and thus is perfect for meal prep. Make a large batch and enjoy it as an effortless make-ahead dinner or quick lunch. Let's jump straight to the recipe's details!

This recipe is: Low Carb, Keto, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Paleo

5 Reasons To Love This Recipe

I love this keto chili recipe for its bold, well-balanced, spicy flavors. You may also like it for reasons like:

Easy and quick preparation.
Low-carb and keto-friendly.
Addicting aromatic flavors.
Great for meal prep.
Simple, easily available ingredients.

Is Keto Chili Con Carne Low-Carb?

Yes, keto chili con carne is a delightful low-carb twist to the classic chili con carne. It uses low-carb ingredients that fit the low-carb keto lifestyle. The main ingredient, ground beef, is an incredibly low-carb food item. You can check out my article "Is Ground Beef Low Carb" to know about the carb content and other nutritional details.

This recipe only has 6.5 g net carbs per 1 cup serving. However, BE WARNED that the carb count does not include any toppings like sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, and any other that you choose to add.

Keto Chili Con Carne Ingredient List

Get the following ingredients for this flavor-packed, low-carb chili con carne:

1 pound ground beef (80/20)
1 pound ground pork (80/20)
1 can whole peeled tomatoes (28 ounces)
3 cups cauliflower florets
1.5 cups white onion, diced
1 cup red bell pepper, diced
1 cup salsa verde
2 tablespoons clarified butter or ghee
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Note: To make a hearty chili sauce, chop the cauliflower florets into bite-sized pieces. Small riced pieces make the consistency too thick, and large ones are hard to eat.

Ingredient Substitutions

Are you missing some of the ingredients listed above? Worry not! I have got you covered with great alternatives:

Ground beef or pork: Ground chicken thighs, ground turkey or ground pork are great swaps. You can also use beef mince only.
Clarified butter: Use ghee, rendered bacon fat, duck fat, olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil.
White onion: Yellow onion is a fine substitute.
Salsa verde: Red salsa or Pico de Gallo are great alternatives. However, they will not have the tart undertones of salsa verde.
Red bell pepper: Yellow or orange bell peppers, poblano, or anaheim peppers will give you the same flavor.
Chili powder: Add chipotle powder or Ancho chili powder if you want a richer, spicy flavor.
Dried oregano: Substitute with dried marjoram.
Smoked paprika: Regular paprika will do.

Additional Ingredients

The ingredients for this beanless chili recipe are sufficient for achieving its unique flavors, but if you would love an extra kick of heat, use the following additional ingredients:

More heat: Add ¼ cup diced jalapeno with the onions or ¼ teaspoon of cayenne powder.

Note: These ingredients are not part of the original recipe- use them to enhance or customize the recipe to your liking.

Cooking Tools

Gather the following tools for this chili con carnivore recipe:

How to Make Keto Chili Con Carne: Complete Cooking Guide

Cooking Method

Simmering

Preparation Steps

Gather all the tools and ingredients for the recipe.
Wash, chop, and measure all ingredients.
Preheat a heavy-bottomed pot over high heat.

Cooking Instructions

Melt clarified butter in the pot until shimmering.
Add the beef and pork and allow to brown slightly before breaking up. Cook for 5-7 minutes, then sprinkle half of the salt to help release moisture and enhance browning.
Add diced onion and red bell pepper, cooking for another 5-7 minutes until the onion turns translucent.
Stir in tomato paste and the entire can of tomatoes, including the sauce. Add salsa verde and mix well.
Add all remaining seasonings, mix thoroughly, and bring to a simmer.
Reduce heat to low, add chopped cauliflower, and simmer for 20 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender.

Step 1: Add the beef and pork to shimmering butter, brown for 5-7 minutes, then sprinkle with half the salt.

Step 2: Add diced onion and red bell pepper, cook for 5-7 minutes until onion is translucent.

Step 3: Stir in tomato paste and canned tomatoes with their sauce, then add salsa verde and mix well.

Step 4: Add all remaining seasonings, mix thoroughly, and bring to a simmer.

Step 5: Mix thoroughly.

Step 6: Lower the heat, add chopped cauliflower, and simmer for 20 minutes until tender.

💡 My Pro Tip

I have two tips for this recipe. The first is about shopping for store-bought ingredients, and the second is cauliflower.

When buying tomato paste, check the ingredients list for hidden sugars. Many generic tomato paste brands that use lower-quality tomatoes add sugar to reduce acidity. Pay extra attention to the ingredients list when buying whole, peeled tomatoes as well. Ideally, they should only have tomatoes and a little juice with a few additional ingredients.
The cooking time for cauliflower varies. I have made this recipe over a dozen times, and sometimes the cauliflower cooks in 15 minutes, and other times it is ready in 45 minutes. Perhaps it is the time of year or the fat in the meat. I am yet to understand the inconsistency, but I know that having the cauliflower cook until tender requires frequent tasting and patience! You will know the cauliflower is ready when a fork pierces it with little resistance.

⏲️ Time-Saving Tips

Convenient store-bought ingredients: Use pre-cut cauliflower florets from the store to shorten prep time. Also, while you can easily make salsa verde at home, a good store-bought brand will save you massive prep time.

What To Serve With Keto Chili Con Carne?

This low carb chili recipe is a hearty dish, well-enjoyable on its own, but tastes fantastic when paired with various sides and condiments:

Guacamole: The creamy guacamole will round out the spiciness of the chili con carne nicely. Use fresh avocado slices if you don't have guacamole on hand.
Cucumber Feta Salad: This salad is a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the keto-friendly chili recipe. The Feta cheese in the salad balances out the spice and gives a hearty taste.
Pickled Jalapeno Peppers: If you need some spicy heat, pair this homemade chili con carne with pickled jalapenos. They add a nice tangy kick to every bite.
Cauliflower Potato Salad: Looking for a comforting taste? This is a fine, keto-friendly accompaniment to the chili con carne. Pair the two for a cozy, delicious meal.
Zoodles: Combine spiralized zucchini noodles with chili con carne for a complete keto meal, perfect for dinner rotation.

Storage and Reheating

Storage Tip

Cool the leftover chili corn carne to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to a week.

Freezing

Store in a freezer-safe container with enough space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat according to the instructions below.

Reheating Tip

Stovetop: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed.
Microwave: Place the chili corn carne in a microwave-safe dish, cover it, and microwave it at medium heat until warmed through.

Conclusion

Keto Chili Con Carne is a satisfying Spanish-inspired spicy dish that will excite all your senses. This recipe's flavors are well-balanced; the cauliflower adds freshness, the spices lend great warmth, and the two meats add richness. Since the meal stores and reheats beautifully, double the batch for meal prep and enjoy with various sides and condiments. If the heat is too much for you, add toppings like sour cream or shredded cheddar cheese to round out the spiciness.

Give the fantastic chili dish a shot, and share your experience with me on Facebook and Instagram. Post your pictures and thoughts on the recipe.

More Ground Meat Recipes

Need more ground meat cooking ideas? Try these recipes:

FAQs

Is chilli con carne meant to be spicy?

No, while the traditional chili con carne recipe calls for a moderate spicy level, you can adjust the spiciness to suit your tastes.

What is the difference between chilli con carne and carne con chilli?

'Chili con carne' is a spicy dish made with ground meat and hot chili peppers, while 'carne con chili' is just a phrase that refers to any meat dish seasoned with chili peppers.

What color chili is hottest?

Contrary to popular opinion, the color of a chili pepper does not correlate with its level of spiciness. Different colored chili peppers vary widely in spiciness, and the only accurate way of measuring the heat level is by checking their Scoville Heats Units (SHU).

Is chili con carne keto?

Yes, chili con carne made from low-carb ingredients and seasonings like ground meat, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, cauliflower, and garlic is keto-approved.

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