No Bean Chili Recipe – Slow Cooker is a Texas-style chili that’s easy, hearty, and flavor-packed. Loaded with meat, tomatoes, onions, bold chili spices, and a surprising touch of BBQ sauce, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser.
WATCH: No Bean Crock Pot Chili
This No Bean Chili is Easy and Delicious
“This is one of my favorite ways to make chili – Texas BBQ style. It’s easy, low carb/keto – and has no beans! Meat lovers will LOVE this! The taste of this chili will change based on the type of barbecue sauce you use – happy taste testing!” 🙂 – Kori
Easy Slow Cooker Recipe
This no bean chili slow cooker recipe is VERY EASY — simply brown the ground beef, combine the ingredients in your slow cooker, set to low, and let it cook all day. The long, gentle heat blends the spices and tenderizes the meat for a rich, satisfying chili with minimal hands-on time.
Delicious
The combination of stew meat and ground beef gives this no bean chili great texture and depth. Spices meld during the slow cooking process, and a bit of BBQ sauce adds a sweet-tangy layer that sets this chili apart. Try different barbecue sauces to discover your favorite flavor profile.
Healthy, Low Carb and Keto Friendly
Because this chili contains no beans, it works well for low carb and keto diets. If you want more fat for a keto ratio, choose higher-fat beef or stir in a little olive oil. Toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, or diced avocado add both flavor and healthy fats.
15.8 g fat | 6.1 g net carbs | 23.4 g protein
Serving Suggestions
This crock pot no bean chili is a complete meal on its own, but here are a few ideas to round it out:
- Fresh green salad with avocado dressing or a crema-style dressing
- Cheese crisps or grated cheese on top
- Corn chips, warm tortillas, breadsticks, or cornbread (note: not low carb)
Ingredients and Equipment
Ingredients
Most of the items below are common pantry spices and ingredients — chili does love its seasonings!
- 1 pound stew meat
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 suggested; lean works too)
- 1 small onion, diced (yellow, red, or sweet)
- 1 green bell pepper, diced (any color is fine)
- 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes (stewed or a mix also work)
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce (use sugar-free for keto if desired)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons paprika (smoked paprika recommended)
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- Optional: 4–6 whole pepperoncini for extra heat and brightness
- Optional thickeners: 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water, or 1/2 tsp xanthan gum mixed with 1 tbsp olive oil
Equipment
- 4–6 quart slow cooker
- 12″ skillet for browning ground beef
- Cutting board and chef’s knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing spoon and small bowl
- Nonstick spray
Recipe Variations
Customize this chili to suit your tastes:
- Add a can of beans or a can of corn (not low carb) for a different texture
- Swap lean ground beef for 80/20 to reduce fat
- Use diced tomatoes with green chiles for extra heat
- Add vegetables such as jalapeños, sliced mushrooms, diced carrots, or zucchini
- Substitute ground chicken, turkey, or smoked sausage
- For a smoky profile, add a few drops of liquid smoke
When adding ingredients, you may need to adjust seasonings and possibly thicken the chili if fresh vegetables add extra liquid.
How to Make No Bean Chili
Follow these simple steps to prepare the slow cooker chili:
1. Brown the Ground Beef
In a skillet, brown ground beef until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat if desired. Dice the onion and green pepper and mince the garlic.
2. Add Ingredients to the Slow Cooker
Spray the crockpot with nonstick spray. Add stew meat, browned ground beef, onion, green pepper, diced tomatoes, barbecue sauce, tomato paste, garlic, chili powder, oregano, cayenne, cumin, bay leaves, salt, pepper, and pepperoncini (if using).
3. Add Thickener (Optional)
For a low-carb thickener, dissolve 1/2 tsp xanthan gum in 1 tablespoon olive oil and stir into the slow cooker. Alternatively, use a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water) near the end of cooking if needed.
4. Slow Cook
Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours, or until the stew meat is tender and flavors are well combined.
5. Serve
Serve the chili hot, garnished with extra pepperoncini if desired. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, BBQ sauce, or cayenne to taste. Top with cheese, sour cream, or diced avocado if you like.
Top Tips for Success
- Adjust heat: Add cayenne or hot sauce if you prefer spicier chili. Keep in mind some BBQ sauces are already spicy.
- Thicken if needed: If chili is too thin, stir in a cornstarch slurry or the xanthan gum/olive oil mixture and let it sit a few minutes with the lid off to thicken.
Storage & Leftovers
How long does it keep?
Store chili in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. It also freezes well for up to 4 months.
How to Reheat
Reheat gently on the stove in a saucepan, stirring often, or microwave in a loosely covered dish in 30–60 second intervals, stirring between increments until heated through.
No Bean Chili FAQs
Texas-style chili is a meat-forward chili typically made without beans, focusing on beef and bold spices. Some versions include tomatoes and others do not; the defining characteristic is the emphasis on meat and robust seasonings.
Use leaner ground beef or reduce the amount of ground beef and increase stew meat, which can lower the overall fat content.
Choose higher-fat ground beef, add a splash of olive oil, or top servings with avocado, shredded cheese, or sour cream to raise healthy fat content.
If you try this crock pot no bean chili recipe, consider leaving a star rating or review and share your photos on social media to show how yours turned out!
📖 The Recipe
Slow Cooker No Bean Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb stew meat
- 1 lb ground beef (cooked)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- Optional: 4–6 whole pepperoncini
- Optional thickener: 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (or 1/2 tsp xanthan gum + 1 tbsp olive oil)
Instructions
- In a skillet, brown ground beef until no longer pink. Dice onion and green pepper; mince garlic.
- Spray crockpot with nonstick spray. Add stew meat, browned ground beef, onion, green pepper, tomatoes, BBQ sauce, tomato paste, garlic, chili powder, oregano, cayenne, cumin, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, mix xanthan gum and olive oil (or prepare cornstarch slurry). Add to slow cooker and stir. Add bay leaves and pepperoncini if using.
- Cover and cook on low 6–8 hours or until stew meat is tender.
- Serve garnished with additional pepperoncini if desired. Adjust seasoning and spiciness to taste. Enjoy!
Kori’s Tips
- For more heat, add cayenne or hot sauce at the end of cooking.
- To thicken, use 1 tbsp cornstarch dissolved in 1 tbsp water, or 1/2 tsp xanthan gum dissolved in 1 tbsp olive oil. Stir in and let the chili sit a few minutes with the lid off to thicken.
Nutrition
© 2025 Seeking Good Eats™
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More Slow Cooker Recipes with Beef
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- Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
- Crock Pot Cube Steak
- Best Corned Beef (Slow Cooker)
- Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
- Italian Beef Roast (Crock Pot)
More Delicious Recipes to Try
- Best Healthy Vegetable Soup Recipe
This easy Texas-style no bean chili is perfect for busy days: throw everything in the slow cooker in the morning and come home to a flavorful, comforting dinner. It’s a low carb, keto-friendly option the whole household can enjoy.