Thick, rich, and deeply beefy — this Beef & Bacon Chili skips the beans and doubles down on what matters: chunky beef and crispy bacon simmered into the ultimate no-bean chili. Cozy in a bowl, and pure cold-weather carnivore comfort at its finest.
Why You’ll Love This Chili
- All the chili comfort with zero beans
- Crispy bacon stirred through every bite
- One pot — minimal cleanup
- 38g protein per serving to keep you full for hours
Ingredients
Serves 6.
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- 2 lb ground beef
- 8 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
- 2 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, crisp the chopped bacon over medium heat; remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- In the rendered bacon fat, brown the ground beef, breaking it into chunks.
- Stir in the beef broth, tomato paste (if using), and sea salt.
- Simmer 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and rich. Stir the bacon back in and serve hot.
Tips for the Best Chili
- Brown the beef in batches if your pot is crowded — steaming is the enemy of flavor
- Let it simmer the full time; thickness is everything in a no-bean chili
- The tomato paste is optional — skip it for strict carnivore
- Make a double batch; it tastes even better the next day
Storage
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of broth if needed.
Nutrition
Estimated per serving: about 480 calories, 38g protein, 2g carbs, 34g fat. Ground beef is safe at 160°F internal temperature (USDA).
