Cuisine HELP: Relax and Chili

Keto-friendly Chili Recipe

Settling into the fall season looks much the same every year: the return of cozy sweaters and blankets, fall foliage decorations adorning the house, and that craving for the savory warmth of hearty chili on a Sunday afternoon. In autumn and well into the winter, one of our favorite family go-to’s has always been a tasty bowl of chili.

This classic comfort food is not lost to those living a keto lifestyle. You might think keto makes a traditional chili recipe fall flat by losing flavor, the savory texture lost by omitting the beans and tomatoes. Try this: different kinds of meat and a hearty seasoning blend, courtesy of Simply Melissa.

Lisa has made this for HELPcare Clinic staff suppers, and it's one of Dr. Dave Strobel's favorites!

How Lisa Makes It

Use both ground beef and cubed pork to balance the familiar, traditional texture and a boost in flavor. Don’t be surprised at the inclusion of fish sauce and liquid aminos in the ingredients below—you don’t taste those at all, and they mix well to create that rich umami (savory) flavor. This recipe can go from ingredients to table in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Is it ready yet?

Ingredients and Supplies

Main:

• 1 pound ground beef (use 75/25)
• 1 pound pork cut into small cubes
• 1/2 cup onion finely diced
• 1/2 cup green pepper (capsicum) finely diced
• 3 tspn minced garlic (fresh or paste is fine)
• 3 TBSP tomato paste
• 3 TBSP bacon grease/lard/manteca/olive oil (these are my preferences in order of flavor)
• Garnishes of grated cheese, sour cream, and/or avocado slices

Liquid Seasoning:

• 3 cups beef bone broth
• 1 TBSP apple cider vinegar
• 1 TBSP fish sauce
• 1/2 TBSP coconut liquid aminos (or soy sauce)
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Spice Blend:

• 2 1/2 TBSP chili powder
• 2 tsp smoked paprika – normal is fine also
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1.5 tsp of this Sazon Recipe
  • 2 TBSP kosher salt
  • 1 TBSP ground black pepper
  • 1 TBSP garlic powder
  • 1 TBSP oregano
  • 1 TBSP turmeric
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp of this Adobo Seasoning Recipe
  • 1 TBSP ground coriander
  • 1 TBSP ground cumin
  • 1 TBSP ground annatto (achiote)
  • 1 TBSP garlic powder
  • 1 TBSP Himalayan pink salt
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. In a large pitcher, mix all liquid ingredients and stir. In a small bowl, mix all dry spices together. Set both aside.
2. In a large pan or Dutch oven, heat your choice of oil on medium heat until very hot.
3. Add both meats and sear until meat is browned.
4. Turn heat down to medium. Add onions and green peppers and saute until softened, about 10 minutes. Add minced garlic and stir for 1 minute.
5. Make a well in the center of pan and add tomato paste. Sauté for about 1 minute until it darkens in color, then stir into the meat mixture until combined.
6. Sprinkle the spice blend over the top of the meat and combine until incorporated, about another minute. Don’t worry about the stuff sticking on the bottom, that’s called the fond—that is pure flavor.
7. Add liquid seasoning into the pot and stir. Be sure to scrape up all that fond on the bottom until it comes to a rapid boil, then bring it down to a low simmer for about 45 minutes.
8. Garnish and serve! Use grated cheese, sour cream, and avocado slices.

Giving Credit Where It’s Due

This recipe’s source, Cooking Keto with Faith, has many flavorful keto meals on their website.

Check back on our HELPcare blog for more keto recipes to help support your health journey in every season.

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Bella Aase

Bella is a creative writer and a lover of poetry, crab apple trees, and rare weather phenomena. She lives in Plymouth, MN, with her husband John.