If you love chili but you are on a keto diet, this recipe is for you. Today I want to share with you my keto beef and bacon chili recipe. It is warm, filling, and full of flavor.
This is the kind of meal you want to eat on a cold day or when you just need something hearty and satisfying. The best part is that it fits perfectly into a low carb lifestyle.
You do not have to give up your favorite comfort foods just because you are watching your carbs. This chili proves that keto eating can be just as delicious as regular eating, maybe even better.
What makes this chili so good is the combination of ground beef and bacon. The bacon adds a smoky, salty flavor that takes the whole dish to another level.
When you cook the bacon first and then use some of that bacon fat to cook the beef, you get so much extra taste in every bite.
I like to serve this chili with some grated cheese on top. The cheese melts into the hot chili and adds a creamy richness that is just perfect. You can also add a fried egg on top if you want some extra protein. Let’s get started!
👍 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Super Easy to Make: This keto beef and bacon chili is one of the easiest recipes you will ever make.
Bacon Makes Everything Better: Let me be honest with you. Bacon makes this chili amazing. The smoky, salty flavor of bacon takes this dish from good to incredible.
When you cook the bacon first and get it nice and crispy, those little bacon bits add so much texture and taste to every spoonful.
Perfect for the Keto Diet: If you are on a keto diet, you know how hard it can sometimes be to find recipes that are both delicious and low in carbs.
This chili solves that problem. It has no beans, no tomatoes, no hidden sugars, and no sneaky carbs. It is made with just meat, broth, and spices. You can eat a big bowl of this chili and stay within your daily carb limit without any worries.
✨ Recipe Ingredients
- Beef Broth or Water (I recommend adding this beef broth – Amazon)
- 2 pounds Ground Beef
- 1 pound Bacon (diced)
- 2 tablespoons Cumin
- 2 tablespoons Chili Powder
- 1 tablespoon Smoked Paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Salt
- 1 Egg – optional
- Grated cheese
👨🍳 How To Make
Follow this easy recipe:
Step 1
In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Then, remove the bacon bits with a slotted spoon and set them aside, leaving a small amount of bacon fat in the pan.
Step 2
Add the ground beef to the pan. Cook over medium heat until the meat is browned. If there’s excess fat, drain it to reduce splattering later.
Step 3
Stir in the cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly.
Step 4
Reduce the heat to low and let the pan cool slightly for a minute. Add the beef broth or water while stirring continuously.
Step 5
Return the cooked bacon to the pan and stir to cimbine.
Step 6
Optional – crack the egg into the chili (you can also do it once the chili is done cooking).
Step 7
Let the chili simmer on low heat for about 5-10 minutes,Serve hot, topped with grated cheese.
💡Tips
1. Get Your Bacon Nice and Crispy
The bacon in this chili is not just there for flavor, it also adds a really nice texture. You want those bacon pieces to be crispy, not soft and chewy.
To get crispy bacon, make sure you cook it over medium heat and give it enough time. Do not rush this step. It usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes for diced bacon to get properly crispy.
You will know it is ready when the pieces are golden brown and feel firm when you press them with your spatula. Stir the bacon every minute or so while it cooks so that all the pieces get evenly crispy and none of them burn.
2. Do Not Overcrowd the Pan When Browning the Beef
When you add the ground beef to the pan, you want it to brown properly. Browning is when the meat gets that nice dark color on the outside and develops a deeper, richer flavor.
But if you dump all two pounds of beef into the pan at once and your pan is not big enough, the meat will steam instead of brown. This happens because the meat releases moisture as it cooks, and if the pan is too crowded, that moisture has nowhere to go.
The result is gray, steamed meat instead of nicely browned meat. To avoid this, use a large skillet. If your skillet is on the smaller side, consider browning the beef in two batches.
3. Toast Your Spices for Better Flavor
Here is a little trick that makes a big difference. Before you add the beef broth, let the spices cook with the meat for about one to two minutes.
This is called toasting the spices and it brings out their flavors in a way that just adding them to liquid does not.
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FAQ
Can I freeze this chili?
Yes, this chili freezes really well and it is a great option if you want to make a big batch and save some for later.
Keto Beef & Bacon Chili
Print RecipeIngredients
- Beef Broth or Water (I recommend adding this beef broth – Amazon)
- 2 pounds Ground Beef
- 1 pound Bacon diced
- 2 tablespoons Cumin
- 2 tablespoons Chili Powder
- 1 tablespoon Smoked Paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Salt
- 1 Egg – optional
- Grated cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Then, remove the bacon bits with a slotted spoon and set them aside, leaving a small amount of bacon fat in the pan.
- Add the ground beef to the pan. Cook over medium heat until the meat is browned. If there’s excess fat, drain it to reduce splattering later.
- Stir in the cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the pan cool slightly for a minute. Add the beef broth or water while stirring continuously.
- Return the cooked bacon to the pan and stir to cimbine.
- Optional – crack the egg into the chili (you can also do it once the chili is done cooking).
- Let the chili simmer on low heat for about 5-10 minutes,Serve hot, topped with grated cheese.
Yummy