Keto Chili Con Carne
A rich, smoky bowl of ground beef simmered in tomato, chili, and warm spices with no beans in sight. At just 7.2g net carbs per serving and ready in 50 minutes, this hearty keto chili con carne delivers big comfort-food flavor without the carb crash.
Head of Nutrition · June 18, 2026

Nutrition per serving
Per serving · makes 6. Values are estimates; brands vary.
This no-bean keto chili con carne is everything you want in a cozy bowl — deeply spiced, meaty, and rich — without the carb load of traditional chili. It comes together in one pot and tastes even better the next day.
Ingredients
- 2 lb (900g) ground beef (80/20)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, with juice
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned, about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain off excess grease if desired, leaving a little for flavor.
- 2
Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
- 3
Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in the tomato paste and coat the meat.
- 4
Add the diced tomatoes with their juice and the beef broth. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
- 5
Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens and the flavors meld. Taste and adjust salt.
- 6
Ladle into bowls and top with shredded cheddar, sour cream, sliced avocado, or chopped cilantro as desired.
Tips & notes
- For a thicker chili, simmer a few minutes longer uncovered; for a soupier texture, add an extra splash of broth.
- Stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days and freezes for up to 3 months — the flavor deepens overnight, making it great for meal prep.
- Add a diced jalapeno or a pinch of cayenne with the spices if you like extra heat. Toppings are not included in the nutrition counts.
Log this recipe in one tap
Save keto chili con carne to CarbMeNot and track its 7.2g net carbs against your daily budget automatically.
Frequently asked questions
- How many carbs are in keto chili con carne?
- Each serving has 7.2g net carbs (10.4g total carbs minus 3.2g fiber), along with 412 calories, 28g protein, and 29g fat. This recipe makes 6 generous servings.
- Why is there no bean in this chili?
- Traditional chili gets most of its carbs from beans, which are too starchy for keto. This version skips them entirely and leans on ground beef, tomato, and spices, so it stays under 8g net carbs per serving while still being thick and hearty.
- Can I make this in a slow cooker?
- Yes. Brown the beef and soften the vegetables first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours. Stir in the tomato paste before cooking for the best flavor.



