Low-carb chili that’s so good it won a non-keto chili cookoff! Big on flavor, low on carbs, and kid friendly. Perfect for chili dogs, keto cornbread, and nachos.

Who doesn’t love a good chili recipe? One thing I’ve learned about chili over the years is that it’s kind of like BBQ. Every region of the country has their specialty and they stick to it. Loyalty, I like it.
Wouldn’t it be fun to travel around the nation on a big ‘ol chili journey? Food + travel = heaven! Those are my retirement goals: eat my way around the world.
The great thing about chili is that it’s so versatile! It’s comforting, warm, and perfect for game days! Plus, chili is one of the easiest and least expensive meals you can make and it’s packed with flavor!
Before we started eating keto, I fixed chili all the time. In true “Southern grandma” fashion, I never measured any ingredients, but the chili always tasted SO good.
And get this: I adapted my OG chili “recipe” to make it low-carb once we started following keto. Then, I entered it into a chili cook-off and I WON!!! This chili took FIRST PLACE among a bunch non-keto chili eaters. Can you believe that? It’s so good no one knew it was healthy!

What Can I Serve With This Chili?
I 86’d the beans because you know, keto, but I don’t think you’ll miss them. I like to serve chili on top of hot dogs with a little mustard and onion. We also make pork rind nachos and load it up with cheese, sour cream, black olives, and jalapeños. Most often, I serve it with my famous (no seriously, it’s a viral one) Keto Cornbread!

Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 oz chopped onion (about 1/2 onion)
- 3.5 oz chopped green bell pepper (about 1 pepper)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp cumin
- 1.5 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1.5 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp coriander
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- pinch of black pepper
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the peppers and onions in the butter until they begin to soften, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook until no longer pink, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add the spices to the beef mixture and stir to coat.
- Transfer the mixture to the crockpot. Drain grease if desired.
- Add the tomatoes and water to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.
- If using an Instant Pot, you may complete the sauté steps in the pot on sauté mode. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes and quick-release the steam.
- Serve with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream if desired.

FAQs
For sure, it can. Complete steps 1 through 3 in a stockpot. After completing steps 4 and 5, simmer the chili for 2 hours on low, stirring occasionally.
Crushed tomatoes do not have added sugar in them. The only way to lower the net carbs would be to use fewer tomatoes but you’re going to lose a lot of flavor in doing so.
Hi! I would probably just use a can of diced tomatoes, or even RoTel tomatoes. 🙂 You may need to add some extra liquid to it though.

How To Store The Chili
If you have leftover chili, you can freeze it in bags and stock your freezer for later this winter. This recipe also makes for a great meal prep option too! It will stay fresh in the fridge for about a week or in the freezer for several months. Make a double batch to save some for later!

First Place Low Carb Chili
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 ounces chopped onion about 1/2 onion
- 3.5 ounces chopped green bell pepper about 1 pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 tablespoons cumin
- 1.5 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- pinch of black pepper
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the peppers and onions in the butter until they begin to soften, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook until no longer pink, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add the spices to the beef mixture and stir to coat.
- Transfer the mixture to the crockpot. Drain grease if desired.
- Add the tomatoes and water to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.
- If using an Instant Pot, you may complete the sauté steps in the pot on sauté mode. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes and quick release the steam.
- Serve with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream if desired.
Notes
Nutrition

Ginny Ickle
Wednesday 9th of August 2023
Looking forward to trying this, but with my can't-have-tomatoes roasted red pepper puree instead of the crushed tomatoes. (I wonder how they compare on carbs?)
Ketoinpearls
Friday 18th of August 2023
Hi there, think red peppers unfortunately have around double the carbs. You can reduce a bit the quantities to march the carb count. Enjoy
Rich
Tuesday 8th of August 2023
As a low carb guy this is one of my favorite receipes. Easy to assemble, not too spicy with just a little zip. Been using it for two years now and pretty much fool proof on consistency. Highly recommended
Ketoinpearls
Friday 18th of August 2023
Thanks so much Rich! I love to read this :)
Sandie
Saturday 15th of October 2022
This is some seriously great chili (especially after I added some super hot peppers), it’s hard to believe it’s low carb with that much tomatoes in it, but I’m trusting your numbers!
Sandie
Wednesday 25th of January 2023
@Ketoinpearls, making it for my family’s chili Cookoff this weekend!
Ketoinpearls
Sunday 16th of October 2022
Glad you liked it Sandie!
Betsy
Sunday 2nd of October 2022
This is absolutely delicious! I cooked it on the stove and the flavor is outstanding! Thank you for posting this recipe.
Ketoinpearls
Monday 3rd of October 2022
Awesome, thanks for letting me know Betsy
Cindy
Tuesday 12th of November 2019
I'd like to double this, but I only have one can of crushed tomatoes. Could I use tomato puree or diced tomatoes for the second can? Or would that not turn out right?
Anna Hunley
Tuesday 12th of November 2019
Hi! I would probably just use a can of diced tomatoes, or even RoTel tomatoes. :) You may need to add some extra liquid to it though.