This Beanless Chili is perfect for 21 Day Fixers and all my Whole 30/Paleo friends and 2B Mindset, too! And while it’s easy to adapt to the stove top, it so simple and quick in the Instant Pot perfect for a busy weeknight!
I seriously could eat this Beanless Chili every week.
And I just might.
Despite the fact that it’s April, it’s cold and rainy here today…and while I would normally be posting a recipe for the grill at this point in the year, right now, all I can think about is warm and cozy comfort food.
I made this Chili for us during the March Blizzard we had here in PA…right around that time I decided to do a trial of no dairy and no grains for awhile. Basically a strict Paleo diet, but using the FIX for portion control.
We’ve been gluten free for some time now, but I have been feeling extra bloated lately. It’s frustrating when you workout almost daily, but your pants still feel tight. My eating wasn’t that great, in all honesty, and I was craving more junky foods and carbs than usual.
So it was time for a little change.
Enter this Chili with No Beans recipe!
Not only is this chili dairy free, gluten free, and grain free, it also bean free, as most who follow a Paleo approach to eating avoid beans due to lectin content, carbs, and how difficult they are for some to digest. I didn’t know how my husband would feel about a Paleo Chili without beans…but he was totally down.
You honestly don’t even miss them with all the hearty veggies and delicious ground beef.
And not only was it husband approved, my toddler kept asking for more! Win!
After several weeks of Paleo eating, I definitely felt less bloated and even lost a few pounds! My sugar and carb craving was also dramatically reduced.
And then my husband and I had an improptu date night with pizza, wine, and chocolate cake…and I realized I could never commit to a full time Paleo life.
But part time. Part-time Paleo is perfect .
What do you think? Have you tried Paleo eating? Is anyone else interested in some more Paleo friendly recipes? Let me know – I love hearing from you!
Instant Pot Beanless Chili
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef or sub ground chicken or ground turkey
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion diced
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1 1/2 cups carrots peeled and diced
- 1 cup bell pepper diced
- 2 cups zucchini cut into half moons
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 15 ounces tomato puree or tomato sauce
- 20 oz tomatoes with green chilies 2 cans
Instructions
Instant Pot
- Set your Instant Pot to Saute and brown beef until beef is thoroughly cooked, adding garlic for the last minute. Drain excess fat, set aside.
- Add oil, onions, celery, carrots, peppers, and seasonings to the Pot and saute until onions are translucent. Add zucchini, cooked beef, tomatoes, and sauce to the pot and stir.
- Cover IP and be sure valve is set to sealing. Set to manual and cook for 20 minutes. After cook time, switch to venting for quick release.
- Top chili with cilantro and avocado, if desired!
Stovetop
- In a large saucepan or dutch oven, brown beef until beef is thoroughly cooked, adding garlic for the last minute. Drain excess fat. Remove beef from pot and set aside.
- Add oil, onions, celery, carrots, peppers, and seasonings to the pot and saute until onions are translucent.
- Add zucchini, cooked beef, tomatoes, and sauce to the pot and stir. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 30-45 minutes or until veggies are tender.
Notes
Nutrition
Andrea L'Esperance says
This is one of our family’s favorites! EVERYONE eats it! Even my picky child! So many vegetables! When I make it I triple it, and freeze it in portions in mason jars! Makes for the perfect meal for a busy family!
Nancylynn says
That is such a great idea, Andrea! Thanks for sharing!
Claire says
Can I substitute a can of beans for some of the veggies? My hub doesn’t love carrots or celery 🙁
Nancylynn says
Hi! You might like this recipe better – https://confessionsofafitfoodie.com/5-ingredient-instant-pot-chili-21-day-fix-ww. But YES! This recipe is a great base for making your chili suit your needs and preferences! We add beans and swap out veggies all the time!
Annie says
Amazing! I have made this at least 3-4x/year for 5+ years. So healthy yet so yummy!! Thank you for this GEM.
Nancylynn says
Thank YOU, Annie!
Aubrey Moore says
one of my favorite recipes!! do you know the macros on this?
Nancylynn says
Thank you! Macros are coming soon to all recipes, thanks for your patience – it’s been a tricky process!
Toni says
I made this chili today and my goodness… it’s perfect! So delicious!! Spices are spot on! I usually have to add more of something to recipes to make it to my taste but not this one!! Just the right amount of heat… and love all the veggies in it!! Thank you for all you do for those of us who follow the 21 day fix WOE!! ♥️
Nancylynn says
This is the best comment! Thank you!!
Emma whitney says
Absolutely love this chili! I add a little more spice because I love spicy food! One quick question, can I halve this recipe in a 6qt instant pot? Like will there be enough liquid in half the recipe to get it up to pressure?
Nancylynn says
So glad you love it! Yes, you can halve it!
Michelle says
This is my favorite recipe! I make it at least once a month! I did simplify the recipe a bit and just add the onion with the turkey/beef and cook together. Once turkey is cooked through I add the rest of the veggies while still in sautee mode for 5 minutes or so and then add everything else. Turns out perfectly every time and just elimates the step of removing the turkey and adding it back in plus I don’t need the added oil then. Really Great!!
Nancylynn says
That’s a great tip! Thank you for rating and commenting- it’s so nice of you!
Annie says
I’ve been making this delicious chili for over a year. I’ve shared it with several friends. So easy, yummy & healthy! Great for meal prep as it freezes well. I never take time to write reviews…but for this one, I just had to. Thank you!
Nancylynn says
That means so much, Annie! THANK YOU! ❤️
Mary says
Another delicious recipe! Husband approved. Thanks Nancylynn💕
Karen says
Absolutely love this recipe! I make it often with ground turkey!
Tiina Allen says
Made this as part of my weekly meal prep and ate it at work all week. So yummy and satisfying, definitely going into rotation for these cooler months. Thanks!
Nancylynn says
I’m SOOOO happy – this one of my favs for sure!!
Vickie says
Nancylynn,
Can you confirm the amount of ground beef, if I double this, it says 11lbs! (I used the x2 scale button) Also, if you double this, does it affect the cook times? You mention 4 hours in crock pot, is it high or low?
Nancylynn says
Oh my goodness, thank you for pointing that out! Double the recipe will give you three pounds! And you can gook this on high or low and be fine 🙂
Gayle says
This is a great chili! Since my hubs is diabetic and we are both on weight watchers- this recipe Rocks! Don’t even miss the beans!!!
Nancylynn says
Oh, perfect! Thank you for taking the time to rate and review – means so much!!
Michelle Potoczniak says
I made this last night in the Instant Pot for my family and everyone loved it!!! I served it over small baked potatoes for the kids with shredded cheese and sour cream, and my husband and I just had it by itself with chopped avocado. My kids even had 2nd helpings, so that means it was REALLY, REALLY GOOOOOOOD!
Thank you! Your recipes are always winners for me!
Nancylynn says
YAY!!!!! This makes me really happy to hear – and I love that your kids ate this over baked potatoes! What a great idea!
Mary Jo says
Love this stuff and have to share what I did with the leftovers because it was about the best.thing.ever!
I didn’t have quite enough leftover for a full lunch serving so I randomly heated up what remained of it and put a runny fried egg on it. I ate it for an AMAZING savory breakfast. SO INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS! I’m seriously considering making another batch so I can use it for my meal planned breakfasts for the week!
Oh…I used ground turkey and have made both in the IP and on the stovetop. Always delicious!
Nancylynn says
Mary Jo, this is AMAZING. Thank you so much for sharing and I will totally be making this myself ASAP! YUM!
Bobbie says
I’m on 21 day fix and I made this and was sooooo pleasantly surprised. Didn’t know chili could be so tasty! My husband hates beans but I really like them so I thought I would miss the beans. The veggies and spices were delicious and the instant pot made it so quick and easy! Great for a quick lunch the next day. Thank you, thank you!
Nancylynn says
Hi! This makes me SO happy! Thanks for taking the time to write and leave a review – this chili is def a favorite in our house and I am thrilled to hear you guys enjoyed it!
Wendy Berrett says
I was skeptical my family would like this, simply for the fact it had cooked zucchini in it. My 15 year old, pickiest eater EVER liked it. I’m still in disbelief. She’s even taking it for lunch tomorrow at school! Success! Will definitely be making again! Thanks so much for sharing!
Nancylynn says
Wendy – I know the feeling! I am SO happy this was a win for you guys! Thanks for taking the time to comment – I love hearing from my readers!
Casey says
Is that two regular size cans of rotel? (Like 14 oz?) Or are the tomatoes with peppers something else?
Nancylynn says
Yes! That’s exactly right!
Michelle says
Made this tonight with half ground lamb we were given from a friend and ground beef. Sooo delicious! And perfect for shift shop! Thanks for sharing all your recipes! They make us feel like we never are eating on a diet with portion fix!
Yunhwa says
This recipe has been a crowd pleaser! I’ve made a double batch once a week and deliver it to family members who are requesting the chili. I love that it’s packed full of veggies and so delicious! Hands down the best chili I’ve ever had!
Nancylynn says
Oh my goodness!! Thank you for making my day!!
Gina says
I don’t have an instant pot, so do you think this recipe would work in the Crockpot or on the stove? Thanks!
Nancylynn says
Yes! BOTH!
Gina says
Great! I will try it in the Crockpot. Thank you!!!!
Erica says
What are the cooking directions for the Crockpot or stove? Thanks
Nancylynn says
I added stove top directions just now! If you want to make it in the slow cooker, follow the first twi directions for stovetop, then add everything into the crock pot for 4 hours.
Tracey says
I love this recipe. I like the flavour of Chili but I hate beans so I gave this a try and it’s awesome. I’ve made it twice now. So good. I do have one question though, both times I made it my Instant Pot wouldn’t pressure up. The second time I made it I added 3/4 of a cup of broth hoping it would. Anyone else have this issue??
Holly Taylor says
I’ve not had that issue when making this specific recipe, but once mine wouldn’t pressure up even though three was plenty of food volume. After consulting the user’s manual, I ended up removing and cleaning the little silicone cover for the pressure valve. This did the trick for me!
Skyler says
What would I leave out if I wanted it to be an exact 1 serving of veggies? I am SO excited to make this for the week! Your recipes never disappoint! 🙂
Nancylynn says
I would just measure 6 cups of veggies out of the choices there!
Jane says
Is 20 minutes on high pressure correct?? I am afraid the veggies will be mush! It sounds delicious and I want to make it but just nervous about 20 minutes of pressure cooking. Thanks for the advice
Nancylynn says
This is how I make it, but you can honestly cut the time down as little as ten minutes!! The meat is already cooked, so you will be fine!!
Holly says
This is the second time I’ve made this recipe! The first version was great, but a little too spicy for my taste… although it all got consumed, nonetheless. It was a nice go-to in my freezer. For this version, I cut the cayenne in half, and it’s perfect for me! Love all the healthy veggies that replace the beans! Thanks for another winning recipe, Nancylynn!
Nancylynn says
That’s awesome, Holly!! <3
Amy says
Nancylynn – this is simply amazing! I swapped out the beef for ground turkey and the meat and veggies were so tender and flavorful! I used it for my meal option 3 on 80 day obesssion with an orange of seeds. I am not a bean person so I always struggle finding chili recipes that don’t include them. Thank you!
Nancylynn says
What a FANTASTIC idea!! I am so happy it worked for you!! <3
Melanie says
How many servings does this make? It seems like it makes a lot so I might want to cut the recipe in half.
Nancylynn says
Six! You can cut it in half for sure, but it also freezes well! 🙂
Katie says
This Chili is AMAZING!! I have always liked chili but my body doesn’t love digesting bean so I usually try to avoid it. When I saw this bean less recipe, I knew I had to try it. This bean less chili is delicious and great as left overs too! I made this last week and will be making it again this week. Thanks for the great recipe!
Nancylynn says
That’s awesome, Katie!! My body is the same way with beans!!
Jamie says
Looks yummy! We don’t eat a lot of beef. Do you think this would work with ground turkey? Would the cook time be the same?
Nancylynn says
I do!! And yes – totally the same cook time!!
Rebecca Smith says
Made this tonight and my family LOVED it and so did I!! One question, and I might be overlooking it, but how much is one serving? I see the container counts but not how much an actual serving is. Thanks!!
Nancylynn says
Hi! My recipe card is super glitchy right now – sorry! One serving is 1 1/2 cups!
Alex says
Just made this tonight, delicious and filling for me and toddler approved!
Nancylynn says
So awesome!! My three year old loves it, too!! <3
Laura Erickson says
How no one has commented on how yum yum this is, I do not know! So filling and delicious! Please don’t ever stop blogging, your recipes are life! ❤
Nancylynn says
This was THE BEST comment to wake up to! Thank you so much, Laura! <3 <3 <3