Easy Paleo Chili Recipe
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A nourishing and comforting bowl of chili is always satisfying to dig in to, and this bean-free paleo chili hits all the right spots. It perfectly balances saucy, meaty richness and warming spices with loads of healthy veggies. With just 10 minutes of prep time, this one-pot dinner is as effortless as it is delicious!
For another comforting and warming paleo dinner, make this paleo beef stew next!
Nothing is as comforting as sitting down to a big bowl of steaming chili on a cool evening. It's the coziest dinner that warms you to your bones ā and even better when it's this easy to make! Skip the huge clean-up with a one-pot meal that takes just ten minutes of prep time. It's a bean-free, dairy-free, paleo, and keto chili that's full of healthy and delicious flavors!
Ingredients needed
This paleo chili recipe is made with wholesome ingredients ā it's basically just ground meat, lots of veggies, and crushed tomatoes. Gather these simple and healthy items:
- Ground meat:Ā Any ground meat works well in this recipe ā ground chicken is a tasty, lower calorie option, but you can purchase ground pork, ground beef, or ground turkey.
- Other ingredients: Cooking oil, onion, garlic cloves, chili powder, ground cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, bell peppers, carrots, celery, sweet potato, and a can of crushed tomatoes,
- Garnishes: Dived avocado, cilantro, sliced green onions.
- Optional: Fish sauce adds a ton of depth to the chili. If you have it on hand, we highly recommend you use it.
How to make paleo chili
This recipe is as easy as throwing things in a pot! Skip cleaning up a bunch of dishes with this super simple, one-pot, stove-top paleo chili. This is how it's done:
- Base: Brown the onion in a large pot, then add the garlic and spices.
- Meat: Next, add in your ground meat and cook it through.
- Veggies: Now it's time for the veggies. Add them all, along with the crushed tomatoes (and fish sauce, if using). Bring the pot to a boil then let everything simmer away until the veggies are tender. Enjoy!
Variations
This paleo chili is versatile, so you can add any other paleo additions that you are craving, or use up what is in the fridge. Here are some of our suggestions:
- Extra veg: Add cubed butternut squash, turnips, or beets. Chop up some cauliflower or broccoli, add a handful or two of spinach, or throw in some chunks of zucchini.
- Added nutrition: Use store-bought or homemade bone broth for depth of flavor and a boost of nourishing nutrition, or add some scoops of collagen powder.
- Spicy: Add jalapeƱos or chipotle peppers for heat and smokiness, or red chili flakes.
- Fresh herbs:Ā We love the cilantro on top, but parsley works great, too!
- Cocoa powder: A little bit of unsweetened cocoa powder deepens the flavor to add complexity.
- Extra protein: Add chopped bacon or Italian sausage to the initial stages of cooking for another layer of meatiness and savory depth.
- Spices: Ground coriander pairs well with the cumin and chili powder, and a little bit of turmeric adds earthy notes and provides anti-inflammatory properties.
- Nutritional yeast:Ā If you want to add a cheesy flavor without the dairy, sprinkle over some nutritional yeast.
What to serve with paleo chili
A bowl of this warming paleo chili is perfect as a standalone meal. If you're enjoying a multi-course meal, have some sriracha cauliflower popcorn as an appetizer.
Bulk out your chili with some cauliflower rice, or make dinner time even heartier with a serving of roasted mini potatoes or roasted acorn squash.
And afterward, enjoy these paleo molten chocolate lava cakes!
Recipe FAQs
Can you make paleo chili in the slow cooker?
The flavors will work if you use the slow cooker. Follow the first two steps to cook the onion and brown the meat, then add everything to your slow cooker and let it cook on low for four hours or more to let the flavors meld together.
Does this recipe work for paleo meal prep?
Paleo chili is perfect for meal prep! The leftovers will taste even better after a day or two when the flavors have had more time to meld together.
How do I store leftovers?
Leftovers store well! Scoop paleo chili into an airtight container and put it in the fridge for up to four days. You can also freeze paleo chili for up to three months.
Paleo Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1-3 tablespoons chili powder (more is spicier)
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper (more to taste)
- 2 lb ground meat (see notes)
- 2 medium bell peppers (chopped)
- 2 large carrots (diced)
- 3 stalks celery (chopped)
- 1 medium sweet potato (about 1 lb, diced)
- 2 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
- Optional: 2 tablespoons fish sauce (see notes)
- Sliced or diced avocado, cilantro, and sliced green onions (to serve)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until it begins to brown, about 5 mins. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper and cook for 1 minute.1 tablespoon cooking oil, 1 large onion, 4 cloves garlic, 1-3 tablespoons chili powder, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 2 teaspoons oregano, 1 teaspoon EACH: salt and pepper
- Add the ground meat to the pan and let it cook until it is no longer pink, about 10 minutes.2 lb ground meat
- Add the bell peppers, carrots, celery, sweet potato, crushed tomatoes, and (if using) the fish sauce. Bring the pot to a boil then reduce the heat to medium. Simmer the chili with the lid off for 20 minutes, or until all the veggies are tender. Season to taste with sea salt.2 medium bell peppers, 2 large carrots, 3 stalks celery, 1 medium sweet potato, 2 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes, Optional: 2 tablespoons fish sauce
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our paleo recipes!