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If you’re looking for the best no-bean chili recipe, you’ve come to the right place!

When I moved back to Texas, my home state, I met an incredible man who loved to cook for me. As a former fancy chef, his culinary skills excited and surprised my taste buds. When he finally let me cook for him, I offered to make chili. We went to the grocery store, and I grabbed some beans. 

“What do you need beans for?” he asked.

“Chili, doofus,” I said.

“Real chili doesn’t use beans.”

“What? That’s crazy. You’re crazy.”

“Let me teach you,” he offered.

And, so began my training in how to make the best no-bean chili recipe that ever was!

Best No-Bean Chili Ingredients

The only way to make the best no-bean chili is to use the best ingredients! 

Use organic ingredients and grass-fed beef that hasn’t been treated with growth hormones, antibiotics, or artificial ingredients like red dye. If you have an Aldi store nearby, check out their Simply Nature Ground Beef. Aldi supplies quality meat at affordable prices. As an Earth-friendly grocery store, they don’t supply disposable plastic bags, so remember to bring your own cloth bags!

Below, I’ve posted recipes for 2 portion options. The large pot portion is what I cook every time because chili freezes well! It’s nice to eat some fresh and freeze some for later. 

The second option is for a much smaller portion.

Ingredients for a Large Pot - Multiple Servings - Freeze Some!

  • 1 and 1/2 tbsp salt for meat (plus a pinch of salt for onions and garlic)
  • 1/2 tbs cracked black pepper
  • 1 and 1/2 tbsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne
  • 5 tbs chili powder that can be found on Amazon or at Whole Foods. (That was NOT an affiliate link. See the picture of the brand below!)
  • 4 medium-sized yellow or white onions
  • 8 cloves of garlic
  • 1 tbs canola oil
  • 1 tbs butter
  • 4 lbs ground beef
  • 3 cans of 14.5 ounce diced tomatoes, fire-roasted with green chilis. See the picture below for my favorite brand.
  • 2 small 4 ounce cans of diced chilis. See the picture below for my favorite brand.
  • 2 tbsp Worcester sauce
Chili Powder
This is the chili powder that gets mixed with the other spices in the ingredients list.
Chili Powder
These are the ingredients in the pre-mixed chili powder.
Best Canned Tomatoes For Chili
For a large pot of chili, you will need 3 cans of diced, fire-roasted tomatoes and 2 cans of green chilis.

How to Make the Best No-Bean Chili

1. Mix the spices

Mix the spices in a small bowl and set aside.

Chili Seasoning Ingredients
Mix the spices and set aside.

2. Cut Onions and Garlic

Slice or dice the onions and garlic, keeping them in separate bowls. Use a steel or glass bowl for the onions.

Onions And Garlic
Onions and garlic
Onions And Garlic For Chili
Slice or dice the onions and garlic. Keep them in separate bowls.

3. Cook Onions and Garlic

Add the canola oil to a large, stainless steel pot and heat on medium for about one minute before adding the onions. 

Saute the onions with no lid for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Add the garlic, a pinch of salt, and butter. Reduce heat to medium-low and saute the onions and garlic with no lid for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

When finished, put the onions back in the bowl they were previously in.

Best No Bean Chili Recipe
Saute the onions and garlic.

4. Brown the Beef with Spices

Brown the beef with the spice mix in the same large pot you used to cook the onions and garlic in. Chop and turn the beef with a steel spatula to incorporate the spices.

Best No Bean Chili Recipe
Brown the beef with the spices.

5. Add the Vegetables and Worchester Sauce

Add the onion and garlic mixture, the canned tomatoes, and the canned chilis to the beef. 

Add the Worchester sauce.

Stir the chili well to incorporate the ingredients.

Best No Bean Chili Recipe
Ready to simmer!

6. Simmer the Chili

Turn up the heat to medium-high to bring the chili to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low or low to simmer. Simmer gently for 2 hours with a lid on. Stir occasionally so the chili doesn’t stick to the bottom.

Best No Bean Chili Recipe
Let the chili gently simmer for 2 hours.

Enjoy!

There you have it! The best no-bean chili recipe that ever was! It pairs perfectly with this moist honey cornbread recipe.

Freeze the excess chili in plastic Tupperware or see below for the ingredients list that makes a smaller portion.

Best No Bean Chili Recipe

Ingredients for Small Portion

  • 3/4 tbs salt (Plus a pinch of salt for the garlic and onions)
  • 1/4 tbs cracked black pepper
  • 3/4 tbs paprika
  • Pinch of cayenne
  • 2 and 1/2 tbs chili powder
  • 2 onions
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 1/2 tbsp canola oil
  • 1/2 tbsp butter
  • 2 pounds of beef
  • 1 can of 14.5 ounces of diced tomatoes, fire-roasted with green chilis.
  • 1 can of 4 ounces of diced chilis.
  • 1 tbsp Worchester sauce

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