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Home Blog Course Main Course

Whole30 Chili

Cheryl Malik
Cheryl Malik Posted: 01/20/20 Updated: 12/22/22
4.88
/5
42 Comments
Jump to Recipe
DF Dairy Free GF Gluten Free LC Low Carb 30 Whole30

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Whole30 Chili Pinterest graphic
Whole30 Chili Pinterest graphic
Whole30 Chili Pinterest graphic
Whole30 Chili Pinterest graphic
Whole30 Chili Pinterest graphic
Whole30 Chili Pinterest graphic

This classic chili is loaded with flavor but is totally Whole30 compliant. No beans, soy, dairy, or legumes – just ground meat like beef, bison, turkey, or chicken, in a rich and spicy tomato sauce packed with veggies.

overhead shot of Whole30 chili in white bowl garnished with avocado, jalapenos, onions, and cilantro.

Why This Recipe Is So Good

  • This Whole30 chili is rich, thick, and hearty. You won’t even miss the beans!
  • You can make this chili not-so-spicy or oh-so-spicy — whatever your preference is!
  • It’s bean free, making it lower in carbs.

How To Make It

  1. Cook ground meat of your choice in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stockpot (enameled cast iron specifically) over medium heat until the meat is brown and broken up. Remove the meat from the Dutch oven and put it in a bowl to the side.
  2. Add the avocado oil or another neutral oil to the Dutch oven. Add the chopped onion, chopped celery, red bell pepper, 1 finely chopped jalapeño (cored and seeded for less heat), and minced garlic. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.
  3. Add the chili powder, oregano, cumin, tomato paste, bay leaves, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is completely combined.
  4. Add the beef broth (or pickled jalapeño juice, or a combination of both, depending on how spicy you want your chili), the diced tomatoes and their juice. Stir.
  5. Add the meat back to the Dutch oven. Bring everything to a low boil, then reduce the heat to low to medium-low. You want a strong simmer with bubbles in your chili. For 45 minute chili, let simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The chili can be simmered for up to 2 hours on low.
  6. Remove the Dutch oven from the heat. Let the chili rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with avocado, sliced green onions, chopped yellow onions, and jalapeño.
Instructions for Whole30 chili

Chef’s Tips

  • I love this chili with a combination of grass-fed ground beef and bison, but you can use any meat you’d like. If you are using ground turkey, pair with meat with a higher fat content.
  • You can add as much or as little spice as you’d like. For a kick of heat, substitute some of the beef broth with pickled jalapeño juice. If you only want a little spice, core, and seed the fresh jalapeño for a milder chili.
  • This Whole30 chili can be made in as little as 45 minutes, but you can simmer on low up to 2 hours.
Bowl of Whole30 chili garnished with jalapenos, onions, and avocados

More Whole30 Recipes

  • Whole30 Chicken Salad
  • Indian Meatballs Recipe with Creamy Sauce (Whole30, Paleo)
  • Whole30 Chicken Curry (Low Carb, Paleo)
  • Best Ever Tom Kha Gai Soup (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup, Whole30, Paleo)

Hey – you’ve made it this far, and now we’re best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook, too!

Hey – you’ve made it this far, so now we’re basically best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook, too!

4.88 from 24 votes

Whole30 Chili

Prep:10 minutes minutes
Cook:35 minutes minutes
Total:45 minutes minutes
A classic chili recipe made Whole30, paleo, and low carb. Spicy and rich, this soup is filling and cozy, but it only takes about 45 minutes!
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6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon avocado oil or other neutral oil
  • 2 pounds ground meat like beef, bison, turkey, or chicken. See Note
  • 2 cups chopped onions
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 large red bell pepper cored, deveined, and chopped
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 jalapeño pepper cored, deveined, and finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ½ tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 24 oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup beef broth or chicken broth
  • 1 ½ tsp Salt and pepper to taste

Garnishes

  • Sliced green onions
  • Chopped yellow onions
  • Diced avocado
  • Fresh or pickled jalapeño slices

Equipment

  • Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stock pot

Instructions 

  • Cook meat in Dutch oven over medium heat until brown and broken up. Transfer the meat to a bowl.
  • Add avocado oil to Dutch oven. Add onion, celery, bell pepper, jalapeño, and garlic. Cook until tender, or about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  • Add chili powder, oregano, cumin, tomato paste, garlic powder, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir until completely combined.
  • Add beef broth, pickled jalapeño juice, or combination of both (see notes), as well as diced tomatoes with their juice. Stir.
  • Add meat back to the Dutch oven. Bring everything to a low boil. Reduce the heat to low to medium-low. Simmer the chili for 20-25 minutes for 45 minute chili. Can be simmered on low for up to 2 hours. Stir occasionally.
  • Remove the Dutch oven from heat and let chili rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with avocado, sliced green onions, chopped yellow onions, and jalapeño.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 512kcal, Protein: 29g, Fat: 36g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Cholesterol: 107mg, Sodium: 1154mg, Potassium: 774mg, Total Carbs: 17g, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 7g, Net Carbs: 12g, Vitamin A: 2846IU, Vitamin C: 37mg, Calcium: 120mg, Iron: 6mg

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

 

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

 

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author: Cheryl Malik

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Cheryl Malik

Meet Cheryl Malik

Cheryl Malik is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind the healthy, flavorful, family friendly recipes at 40 Aprons. She's been a blogger for 10+ years and is known for her delicious recipes and detailed recipe instructions. Cheryl is a mom of three who lives in Memphis, TN.

Read more...

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Recipe Rating




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  1. Robert Hedden says

    Posted on 3/27/23 at 10:49 am

    Great non-bean recipe. Had a family get-together and the whole thing disappeared. A dollop of sour cream on top was also a hit.5 stars

    Reply
    • Jessica | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 3/29/23 at 4:35 pm

      So glad you and your family loved the chili! Thanks for sharing, Robert. 😊

      Reply
  2. Lisa says

    Posted on 2/21/23 at 1:47 pm

    How many cups is one serving?5 stars

    Reply
    • Megan | 40 Aprons TeamMegan | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 4/16/23 at 10:38 pm

      This recipe yields approximately 6 servings total. To determine the quantity for one serving, divide the total amount of prepared chili by 6.

      We generally don’t provide serving sizes in exact measurements because soups and chilis cook down a little differently each time they’re prepared.

      Reply
  3. Robin says

    Posted on 1/19/23 at 11:17 am

    What a hit with all my kids ages 17-1! I used chicken bone broth and ground turkey and simmered in my crock pot for hours. It turned out absolutely delicious. Thank you!5 stars

    Reply
    • Molly | 40 Aprons TeamMolly | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 1/20/23 at 10:46 am

      Yum! So glad all enjoyed. Thanks so much for the review, Robin!

      Reply
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