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    Home » Keto, Paleo, or Gluten Free

    Updated: Jan 27, 2025 · Published: Apr 18, 2024 · by Angela · This post may contain affiliate links · 42 Comments

    Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili

    Jump to Recipe

    This homemade slow cooker no-bean chili recipe is ammmazing! It is a great Texas-style ground beef & bacon version that everyone should make part of their regular easy dinner rotation.

    Slow Cooker Beef & Bacon Chili (no beans) in a bowl topped with cheese and avocado.

    This is one of my favorite keto/low-carb CrockPot recipe - it is almost all carne (meat) without frijoles (beans) and it's delicious. Ground meat recipes like this and my ground pork stir fry are cheap & easy to make so make it a go-to meal in your home too.

    Bowl of ground beef & bacon chili topped with cheese avocado and sour cream.

    This recipe is similar to my Slow Cooker Hot Dog Chili sauce since both are great as a topping on so many things. Try either when making nachos, chili cheese fries, or topping a baked potato made in the air fryer.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients for Chili without Beans
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili
    • More Slow Cooker Recipes

    Ingredients for Chili without Beans

    There are only a few ingredients needed for this chili. Ground beef & bacon are the stars of this recipe. Plus canned tomatoes & sauce with a bunch of spices is all you need.

    Slow Cooker & Ingredients

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Here are the quick and easy steps for getting this chili into the slow cooker so the magic can begin. Look how rich, hearty, & yummy this looks.

    Slow Cooker Beef & Bacon Chili (no beans) in a bowl topped with cheese and avocado.

    Follow these 3 steps for the best CrockPot Ground Beef & Bacon Chili without Beans.

    1 - Cook the Ground Beef

    Crumble and brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat.  Once browned, DO NOT DRAIN!  You want fat, aka flavor. Plus if you are on a keto diet, you really want that fat.

    Skillet with cooked ground beef.

    2 - Add Ingredients to the CrockPot

    Add the ground beef and fat to the insert of your slow cooker. Next, add the spices and minced dry onion. Stir to combine.

    Ground beef and chili spices added to CrockPot insert

    Add the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.  Stir to combine evenly.

    Slow Cooker Beef & Bacon Chili ready to cook in CrockPot with tomato sauce & seasonings but without beans.

    3 - Set the CrockPot

    Close the lid and set the timer to 6 hours on LOW. The meat is already cooked so you wonder why so long. This step is all about infusing the spices into the meat and keeping it tender and juicy in the acidic tomatoes.

    Slow Cooker set for 6 hours to cook chili.

    4 - Cook the BACON!!!

    I bake my bacon in the oven. I like it extra crispy but cook it how you like.

    tray of crispy cooked bacon

    You can also cook it in a skillet or try making bacon in the toaster oven. Either way, cook and then let the bacon drain on paper towels. Set aside to add to the chili later.

    Serving Suggestions

    Once the Beef and Bacon Chili is ready - spoon it into bowls and bring out all the toppings you want, including the bacon. On this night I had shredded sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream, and avocado.

    Slow Cooker Keto Beef & Bacon Chili without beans topped with avocado, cheese and sour cream.

    Slow Cooker Beef & Bacon Chili featured

    Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili

    Angela
    Slow cooker no-bean chili simmers in rich tomatoes and spices. Ground beef and crispy bacon plus fun delicious toppings is the ideal low-carb keto chili. Set your CrockPot for a spicy chili that hearty & comforting.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share on Facebook
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 6 hours hrs
    Total Time 6 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 427 kcal

    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 1.5 pounds ground beef (or other meats, see above comments)
    • 6 slices bacon
    • 15 ounces can diced tomatoes
    • 15 ounces can tomato sauce
    • 3 TB chili powder
    • 1 TB minced dry onion
    • 2 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1.5 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper Optional - for added heat
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Crumble meat into a large skillet and saute on medium until meat is browned and cooked all the way through.
    • DO NOT drain the fat. Transfer meat to the insert in your slow cooker.
    • Add both canned tomato products and remaining ingredients – not the bacon- and stir. Close the top and set the timer to 6 hours on LOW.
    • Bake bacon in a single layer on a baking sheet in the oven at 425°. Cook until desired crispness, we like it super crispy which takes about 20-25 minutes.
    • Drain bacon on a paper towel-lined plate. Once cool, crumble into bite-sized pieces.
    • Once the chili is done, spoon into serving bowls and stir in bacon. Top with desired toppings. See above for a great list of chili topping options.

    Notes

    STORING & REHEATING:
    • Store leftovers for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
    • This also freezes well for up to a month.
    • Reheat leftovers over medium-low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 427kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 24gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 1307mgPotassium: 805mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1664IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 77mgIron: 5mg
    Keyword crock pot, dairy-free, diabetic, easy, gluten-free, grain-free, keto, low carb, paleo, potluck, slow cooker, spicy
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Slow Cooker Recipes

    Here are similar recipes that you may also enjoy or try any off my ideas for Slow Cooker Main Dishes.

    • SLOW COOKER APPLE SAUCE
    • SLOW COOKER ACORN SQUASH
    • SLOW COOKER COLLARD GREENS
    • SLOW COOKER ITALIAN MEATBALLS & SAUCE
    « Slow Cooker Potato Leek Soup
    Homemade Ranch Dressing Without Mayo »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Brad says

      January 16, 2020 at 6:54 am

      Chili with no beans.👍 Not draining off the fat. 👍 Bacon? Hell yes!👍 This looks delicious.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        January 16, 2020 at 7:49 pm

        The three main food groups, right .... beef, bacon, and fat!

        Reply
      • Holly says

        January 27, 2020 at 9:11 pm

        I love chili without beans so I am really excited to try this recipe!! Thank you!

        Reply
        • Angela says

          January 28, 2020 at 6:24 am

          Great, I hope you love it. Come back and let me know what you think and how you top yours!

          Reply
    2. Caroline says

      January 16, 2020 at 11:15 am

      Wow! This must immediately go on the list for this weekend at my house!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        January 16, 2020 at 7:48 pm

        Great, enjoy it especially during this winter weather.

        Reply
    3. Jere Cassidy says

      January 21, 2020 at 6:32 pm

      No beans in the chili would make my kids happy. I love you added bacon to this soup. It's definitely some good comfort food,

      Reply
    4. Liz says

      January 21, 2020 at 6:44 pm

      Beef and bacon that's sounds like a delicious dream to me.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        January 21, 2020 at 7:13 pm

        Dreams do come true - it is a delicious reality!

        Reply
    5. Raquel says

      January 22, 2020 at 3:57 am

      This was such an informational post about chili. I didn't think there was much to learn about the dish, but there really is! I appreciate how you listed the multiple ways to enjoy chili (:

      Reply
      • Angela says

        January 22, 2020 at 3:11 pm

        Thank you. That was only a few ways to enjoy chili, I am sure I will add to this post as more recipes develop. Stay tuned.

        Reply
    6. Beth says

      January 22, 2020 at 4:46 am

      We all like beans in our chili, especially the toddler, but I've never added bacon to mine. I'm also in the crisp-bacon camp! I can't wait to try it in my chili, mmm.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        January 22, 2020 at 3:11 pm

        You are missing out if you have never had bacon!

        Reply
    7. Christy Boston's Kitchen says

      January 22, 2020 at 3:05 pm

      I love all the suggestions for toppings and ways to serve this chili. The addition of bacon is something I need to try. I bet it add a nice smoky flavor to the chili.

      Reply
    8. Jacqueline Debono says

      January 23, 2020 at 1:05 am

      I was actually planning to make a classic chili today with beans but I think I'm going to try this one with bacon instead! Looks so good!

      Reply
    9. Simone says

      January 23, 2020 at 2:07 am

      What a great idea to set up a chili bar! Great for parties & game days... no why didn't I think of that? lol

      Reply
    10. Sonila says

      January 23, 2020 at 3:40 am

      Add bacon to anything and I know I will love it, this chili with no beans sounds so goooood. Plus, slow cooker...that's the solution for every busy mom!! Thank you for this recipe:)

      Reply
    11. Nart | Cooking with Nart says

      January 23, 2020 at 8:08 pm

      Finally! A chili with no beans YAYYYYYY! I'm so gonna love this 😀

      Reply
      • Angela says

        January 23, 2020 at 8:09 pm

        Yes, it is a wonderful thing!

        Reply
    12. Lathiya says

      January 25, 2020 at 2:09 pm

      I have seen lots of chili recipes using beans. This one without beans sounds and looks fabulous.

      Reply
    13. Stephanie says

      January 27, 2020 at 8:13 pm

      So being a vegetarian I sure love beans, peppers, tomatoes, and onions in my chili. I love the toppings and different ways to eat the chili. And yay to crock pots doing the cooking for you! 😊

      Reply
    14. Charlotte says

      January 27, 2020 at 8:34 pm

      All meat sounds great, but then you added bacon. My stomach is growling thinking about it! Can’t wait to try the recipe out.

      Reply
    15. Lisa says

      January 27, 2020 at 11:32 pm

      We have tried different variations of chili and would have never thought to add bacon! We will be adding that to our next batch. Thank you for sharing your recipe.

      Reply
    16. Eva says

      January 28, 2020 at 5:08 am

      Of all the things I've put in my chili through the years (rice, pasta, cheese, sour cream, chives, cinnamon, potatoes), I have never thought to put bacon in it. Great idea and I love that it's keto. Definitely adding it to my upcoming menu. Thanks, Angela!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        January 28, 2020 at 6:24 am

        Yes, there are so many choices when it comes to topping chili and what to eat with your chili. I am glad I opened your eyes to the best of all - bacon!

        Reply
    17. Sydney Delong says

      January 28, 2020 at 7:09 am

      This looks so good! Printing the recipe to try it out soon!!

      Reply
    18. Miz Helen says

      January 28, 2020 at 1:35 pm

      This will be a delicious slow cooker full of chili, we will love it! Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    19. Allison says

      January 28, 2020 at 1:53 pm

      How would this taste without the bacon? I have a bacon intolerance so I haven't eaten it in years.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        January 28, 2020 at 7:44 pm

        It would be just fine, enjoy.

        Reply
    20. Shirley says

      January 28, 2020 at 4:15 pm

      I love chili but my hubby does not. He is not a big bean eater. So I bet he will live this chili! Thanks for sharing. I cant wait to try it!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        January 28, 2020 at 7:44 pm

        I hope you both enjoy it.

        Reply
    21. Kat says

      January 28, 2020 at 6:41 pm

      This looks delicious. love the bacon idea.

      Reply
    22. Shirley says

      January 30, 2020 at 5:09 am

      I'm going to try this for Super Bowl Sunday!

      Reply
      • Angela says

        January 30, 2020 at 4:11 pm

        Great - enjoy the chili, game, and commercials!

        Reply
    23. Melissa Jones says

      February 02, 2020 at 7:33 pm

      I love having new slow cooker recipes!!!

      Reply
    24. Gina says

      February 19, 2020 at 7:17 am

      My husband would love this. He hates beans in chili and picks them out and who doesn't love bacon?

      Reply
      • Angela says

        February 19, 2020 at 7:28 pm

        He sounds like a good man! lol

        Reply
    25. Dee | Grammy's Grid says

      March 04, 2020 at 6:45 am

      Yummy chili! Thanks so much for linking up with me at #AThemedLinkup 12 for Crock Pot and Instant Pot Recipes, open February 28 to March 10. All entries shared on social media if share buttons installed.

      Reply
    26. Douglas Jasper says

      July 13, 2020 at 6:08 pm

      This looks awesome. Will definitely try this one. We love beef and bacon so this definitely works.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        July 13, 2020 at 6:37 pm

        Beef & bacon for me is like other people's PB&J - haha!

        Reply
    27. Becky says

      July 16, 2021 at 10:13 am

      5 stars
      Yes! This is my new favorite keto dinner. I have made it twice this month including for fourth of july and everyone agrees with me. It is so good. I cannot wait to try your other keto recipes now.

      Reply
      • Angela says

        July 16, 2021 at 3:31 pm

        I am so glad you found a new keto recipe to love. Let me know what you think of the other keto recipes on my site that you try.

        Reply

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