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Best Keto Chili Recipes - How to Make Low-Carb Chili

Written by Sara Nelson on June 24, 2019

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Are you looking for the best keto chili recipes? Do you follow a low-carb diet and are unsure of the best way to prepare chili that is nutrient-dense, low in carbs, and high in flavor? Then this post is for you! We have compiled the 12 best keto chili recipes that are perfect for a keto-friendly meal!

Is Chili Low-Carb?

When prepared properly, chili is a fantastic low-carb meal option! To ensure your chili is low in net carbohydrates, you'll want to compile a combination of protein, like ground beef, ground pork, or bacon, canned tomatoes, vegetables, and spices. Beans and noodles, ingredients often found in traditional chili recipes, are high in carbohydrates and do not fit into a low-carb diet. While you may have grown up enjoying chili with these high-carb ingredients, the 12 low-carb chili recipes that you'll find in this list will be reminiscent of the meal you ate as a kid. We're sure you will feel satisfied after eating a bowl and will remain happily in a state of ketosis!

How to Cook Keto Chili

There is a myriad of ways to effectively cook keto chili! Some recipes in this list require a little more attention, usually on the stovetop, while others are more along the lines of "set it and forget it", which are the recipes that are typically cooked in a slow cooker or Instant Pot. Regardless of the cooking method, we suggest following these recipes exactly as written to ensure a successful chili!

How Long Will Keto Chili Last in the Fridge?

It's best to consume pre-prepared keto chili within a short time-frame so it stays fresh and flavorful. In general, it is suggested to refrigerate your chili in an airtight container and consume within 3-4 days, unless otherwise noted in the individual recipe.

Enjoy These Easy Keto Chili Recipes

Each of these keto chili recipes are full of vibrant, spiced flavors that are nutrient-dense and will keep you satiated and energized for hours to come! Take a look at each of them and let us know which ones you try out!

1. Easy Keto Chili

Easy Chili Recipe

This hearty keto chili is so delicious and warming! You can make it with ground beef, or substitute the beef for ground turkey. Top each bowl with your favorite low-carb chili garnishes (like sour cream, diced onions, and shredded cheddar cheese), and you'll be set to enjoy one of your new favorite meals.

We especially love that this recipe can be prepared, cooked, and is ready to serve in only 40 minutes!

Per serving: 214 calories, 11g fat, 1g net carbs, 23g protein

Get the recipe from Eating on a Dime.

2. Beef and Mushroom Low-Carb Chili

Beef and Mushroom Low-Carb Chili Recipe

This low-carb chili recipe is so flavorful and delicious! Prepared with ground beef, vegetables, and lots of spices, we're sure you'll love this for a weeknight dinner meal. It's simple to make and requires only 40 minutes of your attention in the kitchen.

If you're looking for a recipe to make ahead of time and eat throughout the week, this is a great option. It stores well in the refrigerator and, when you're ready to enjoy, simply reheat a bowl of it and dig in!

Per serving: 336 calories, 13.3g fat, 11.2g net carbs

Get the recipe from Glue Sticks and Gumdrops.

3. Texas-Style Low-Carb Chili

Texas Chili Recipe

There's bacon in this chili recipe, so you know it's going to be good, right?! Seasoned with all of your favorite chili spices with an added boost of nutrient-density from fresh zucchini, this chili recipe is a winner! One serving is high in protein and low in net carbs, so it's a fantastic keto dinner option.

This is a stovetop recipe and, from start to finish, you'll have dinner on the table in under an hour. Plus, the recipe is made with families in mind and, if you follow the recipe exactly, it will yield 16 servings, so everyone can enjoy a bowl and you'll have enough for leftovers to eat later.

We love how efficient this recipe is in minimal kitchen time with plenty of food leftover!

Per serving: 369 calories, 30g fat, 3g net carbs, 18g protein

Get the recipe from Saladmaster.

4. Easy Low-Carb Keto Chili

Low-Carb Chili Recipe

Are you looking for the best low-carb chili recipe? This may just be the one! Using ingredients like crushed red tomatoes, garlic, onion, and ground beef, this spicy chili is a perfect addition to your weekly meal prep menu! Garnish with some fresh cilantro, jalapeños, and onions; this flavorful chili is a total winner!

Per serving: 250 calories, 13g fat, 13g net carbs, 20g protein

Get the recipe from Inside Bru Crew Life.

5. Slow Cooker Kickin' Chili

Slow Cooker Chili Recipe

Do you prefer to cook using your slow cooker? If so, you're going to want to bookmark this one. Made in a slow cooker (also commonly referred to as a "crockpot"), this recipe cooks low and slow to ensure all of the flavors are bursting in each bite.

Like many slow cooker recipes, the instructions for this chili are quite "hands-off", and won't require much of your attention. Just turn on the slow cooker and let it do its magic! While it may take upwards of 6-8 hours for it to cook, the end result is well worth it.

Per serving: 137 calories, 5g fat, 4.7g net carbs, 16g protein

Get the recipe from Peace, Love and Low Carb.

6. Tomatillo Chili (Pressure Cooker)

Pressure cooker chili recipe

Do you love your pressure cooker? If so, you are going to love this recipe! If you don't have a pressure cooker, an Instant Pot, a popular brand of pressure cookers, is a handy kitchen appliance that makes for quick and easy cooking.

For this particular recipe, the flavors are bright and spicy, leading to a mouthwatering bite. If you top each bowl with a dollop of sour cream and cheddar, we know you'll love it!

For one serving of this instant pot chili recipe, you'll notice the net carbs are quite low, while the fat and protein content is a perfect ratio. This means that you can happily eat a bowl and remain satiated and energized for hours to come.

Per serving: 325 calories, 23g fat, 5g net carbs, 20g protein

Get the recipe from Ketogasm.

7. Keto Steak and Sausage Chili

steak chili

This chili is jam-packed with flavorful protein, which truly sets it apart from other chili recipes. In this low-carb chili, you'll find both steak AND sausage. Each of these meats creates a delicious texture and flavor profile and, with the added components of tasty vegetables, it is a perfectly wholesome meal to serve the family.

There are only 5 grams of net carbs per serving in this recipe and a whopping 50 grams of protein! If you love steak and sausage, this is the keto chili recipe for you!

Per serving: 441 calories, 24g fat, 5g net carbs, 50g protein

Get the recipe from Sweet C's.

8. Keto Chili (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)

Keto Chili

Do you follow a Whole30 and low-carb diet? If so, this chili is perfect for your menu! Made without soy, dairy, added sweetener, or grains, this recipe is also paleo-compliant and totally keto-friendly! Even better? Each serving has minimal net carb content and provides a healthy dose of fat and protein.

Unsure of what to garnish your dairy-free chili with? Since sour cream and cheddar cheese are off the table, how about coconut yogurt? It provides a tangy, fresh bite and will make your Whole30 chili creamy and delicious.

And the best part? You can whip this dish up in just one hour and have leftovers that will last you through the week!

Per serving: 326 calories, 19g fat, 4g net carbs, 31g protein

Get the recipe from Real Simple Good.

9. Easy Chorizo Skillet Chili

chorizo chili

If you're a lover of chorizo, this low-carb chili recipe with chorizo is the best one out there! If you've never tried chorizo before, we're sure you'll love it, too. Chorizo is pork sausage that is seasoned perfectly and will add a wonderful flavor component to a hearty bowl of chili.

In this particular recipe, you have the option to either make your own homemade chorizo or use store-bought chorizo, but we think that everything homemade tastes just a little bit better, don't you?

With only 8 grams of net carbs per serving, which all stem from healthy, nutrient-dense sources, this chorizo chili is a total winner!

Per serving: 335 calories, 22g fat, 8g net carbs, 24g protein

Get the recipe from Low Carb Maven.

10. 10-Minute "No Chop" Chili

easy chili recipe

Do you only have minimal time to cook on weeknights? This is the keto chili recipe for you! Ready in just 10 minutes, this yummy chili recipe takes out all of the prep work, yet still leaves you with a rich and satisfying meal.

Containing less than 10 ingredients for the whole recipe, you can quickly make this tasty dish and eat a bowl (or two!) for dinner because it only contains 2 grams of net carbs per serving. How great is that?

Per serving: 229 calories, 9g fat, 2g net carbs, 33g protein

Get the recipe from I Breathe I'm Hungry.

11. Easy Keto Chili Without Beans

Easy Keto Chili Without Beans Recipe

What could be better than crockpot chili?! This recipe can be made right in your slow cooker or, if you prefer your Instant Pot for a quick meal, there are instructions here for that! If you simply want to use your stovetop to cook this chili, you can do that, too.

No matter how you choose to cook up this yummy chili recipe, the resulting meal will be so delicious. With only 4 grams of net carbs per serving, this is a great recipe to keep on hand.

Per serving: 417 calories, 25g fat, 4g net carbs, 39g protein

Get the recipe from Green and Keto.

12. Beanless Pumpkin Keto Chili

Beanless Pumpkin Keto Chili Recipe

Are you a pumpkin lover? No matter the season, pumpkin is always a hit and is a perfect addition to your savory dishes. This pumpkin chili combines a multitude of flavors, resulting in a delicious bite that will have everyone who eats it raving and asking for another serving. To really make the pumpkin flavor "pop", you'll find both pure pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice in this chili. It's a pumpkin fanatic’s dream come true!

With only 6 grams of net carbs per serving and a healthy dose of both fat and protein, this pumpkin chili is a fun spin on the traditional recipe and we're sure you'll love it!

Per serving: 189 calories, 9g fat, 6g net carbs, 17g protein

Get the recipe from Wicked Stuffed.

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✍️ ABOUT THE AUTHOR 📚

Sara Nelson

Sara Nelson

Sara Nelson is the food blogger behind realbalanced.com, a site dedicated to sharing low-carb, keto, paleo, and primal recipes. Since 2017, Sara has shared delicious, nutritious, and allergy-friendly recipes with her thousands of blog readers and social media followers. Sara lives in Milwaukee, WI with her husband, Ryan, and their Boston Terrier, Rowsdower.