Beanless Chili

Why You’ll Love This

One-pot recipe:  This chili isn’t only bean-free, it’s also fuss-free because the whole thing is made using just one pot. It couldn’t be simpler!
So tasty: Nobody is going to miss the beans when there’s this much flavor in there. Everything from the warm spices to the juicy beef and fire roasted tomatoes makes this chili a real flavor feast. And you might like to pair it with a chile mango Mexican candy shot for an extra-special occasion!
Versatile: Chili can be served however you wish, paired with classic sides like rice or cornbread, or even as a topping for baked potatoes or hot dogs.

No Beans Chili Recipe Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below

Ground beef: Use lean ground beef or a fattier kind, as you prefer. If you’re using something with a higher fat content, you might like to drain the fat off the cooked beef before adding the other ingredients. Substitute ground turkey or ground chicken if you want.
Vegetables: Onion, peppers and jalapenos add both color and flavor to the no-bean chili.
Cornmeal: For thickening up the chili. Sub cornstarch if you like.
Spices: You’ll find the chili powder, cumin and oregano add plenty of love flavor to the chili.
Beef broth: To keep the chili moist and also add more beef flavor. You can sub vegetable broth if you prefer.
Fire roasted tomatoes: Tomato is a typical chili flavor but using fire roasted diced tomatoes is best, as they impart a lovely smoky aroma and flavor.

How to Make This Beanless Chili Recipe

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card

Cook the beef:  Pan fry the beef in a large pot and stir in the onion, bell pepper and garlic, cooking for a few minutes over a medium high heat.
Add the other ingredients: Add the tomatoes, beef broth and tomato paste, and then the cornmeal and spices.
Simmer until done: Cook the beanless chili for half an hour or until it’s done, then serve hot with your preferred toppings and side dishes. You might like to pair this tomatillo salsa with the finished chili, along with sour cream and shredded cheddar.

Substitutions and Variations

Dial the spice factor up or down: If you’re making this for a mixed group of people and some prefer mild flavors while others want their chili hot hot hot, the best idea is to make it mild and offer hot sauce, chili flakes or both at the table.
Vegetarian option: Sub the beef for your favorite meat-free alternative, and use vegetable broth in place of beef broth.
Gluten-free beanless chili: As cornmeal is used for thickening and is naturally gluten-free this recipe is perfect for those who don’t eat gluten, as long as they don’t add tortilla chips or cornbread on the side!

Serving Suggestions

Side dishes: There are plenty of tasty sides to serve alongside your homemade chili recipe with ground beef, including smoked asparagus, homemade cornbread and crispy stacked potatoes. This homemade smoked cheese offers a lovely contrasting flavor.
Dessert: If you aren’t serving rice with your ground beef chili, what about finishing the meal with homemade Mexican rice pudding?
Drinks: Pair the chili with something offering south of the border flavors like passion fruit lime margaritas or unusual kiwi jalapeno margaritas.

How to Store a No Bean Chili Recipe

Store:  Keep leftover chili in an airtight container in the fridge and eat within 4 days.
Freeze:  Freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months (it’s fine up to 6 months but the flavor will start to decline).
Thaw:  Let the chili defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat:  You can reheat leftovers on the stove or in the microwave.

Top Tips

Miss the beans? Diehard bean lovers can throw in a can of kidney beans or even a can of garbanzo beans or corn.
Keep an eye on it: The chili is supposed to gently simmer for half an hour, but look at it often to check it isn’t scorching or sticking to the bottom of the pan, and give it a good stir every now and then.
Serve toppings separate: Offer a choice of toppings on the side and that way everyone can add their own favorite chili toppings. Shredded cheese, avocado slices, sour cream, cilantro, and green onions are just some of your topping options.