Try this smoky no-bean chili recipe that’s hearty, flavorful, and perfectly smooth! Brown the meat, then add everything to the slow cooker for a hands-off, filling meal. Serve with cornbread, crackers, or chips for the tasty meal that works for everyone.

dinner plate with bowl of chili with sour cream and cheese on top, crackers on side, with bowl of cheese, crackers and black slow cooker in background

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What’s To Love About This Recipe

Chili is one of those dishes where everyone has their personal preferences. This recipe is the perfect choice for texture-sensitive eaters, since it omits the beans and has no tomato chunks.
This slow cooker version uses a combination of tomato sauce and tomato paste to create a thick, hearty chili base.
If you prefer chili without the heaviness, you’ll love that this includes both ground beef and turkey for excellent flavor and balance.
Once you brown the meat (which can be done ahead!), this is a quick and easy dump-and-go recipe, ideal for simmering away all day!
This crowd-pleasing chili recipe includes a spicy hint of jalapeños, but it is also easy to adjust the spice level to make it more family-friendly.
Add this flavorful, no-bean chili recipe to your weekly meal prep with plenty of leftovers! It’s freezer-friendly and easily served with popular dishes such as chili dogs, baked potatoes, nachos, or simple bowls with corn chips and crackers.

Ingredients Needed

Ground beef – Ground beef forms the chili base, and browning it first deepens the flavor and enhances the texture. Choose a lean percentage or drain excess grease before adding to the slow cooker.
Ground turkey – Combining ground turkey with ground beef creates a lightened-up protein balance. It remains flavorful but keeps the greasiness to a minimum. (Feel free to use all beef if preferred.)
Onion – Add diced onion for depth of flavor.
Jalapeños (optional) – Seed and finely dice 1-2 peppers for a bit of spicy heat. You can also leave them out for a more kid-friendly version.
Garlic – Minced garlic deepens the overall flavor.
Tomato sauce – Using sauce instead of tomato chunks creates a smoother, more cohesive texture in the chili.
Tomato paste – Adding tomato paste thickens the paste and concentrates the tomato-y flavor.
Beef broth – Beef broth creates a savory base and balances the acidity.
Chili seasoning – My simple homemade blend of chili powder, ancho chili powder, cumin, and salt brings just the right amount of warmth and flavor. I like to mix up a double or triple batch to keep on hand for easy prep!
Smoked paprika – This is an optional addition, but if you truly love smoky elements, it adds just the right amount of depth that complements the meat and tomatoes.
Salt and pepper – Bring everything together with a little salt and pepper, then season to taste after cooking as needed.

ingredients to include white plate of ground beef and ground turkey, bowl of beef broth, wooden cutting board with diced onion diced jalapenos, and minced garlic, salt and pepper shakers, teaspoon of smoked paprika, bowls of tomato paste, tomato sauce and bowl of chili seasoning

How To Make Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili

In a skillet, brown the ground beef and turkey together over medium heat until cooked through. Drain the excess fat to reduce the grease in the chili.

white skillet with wooden handle containing ground meats with wooden spoon on side

Add the browned meat to a 6-quart slow cooker along with the onion, jalapeños, and garlic.
Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, chili seasoning, and smoked paprika, and mix well.

overhead view of black slow cooker with ground beef and turkey, onion, garlic, and jalapeno

overhead view of black slow cooker with all ingredients with wooden spoon on side

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the flavors are blended and the chili has thickened.

slow cooked chili recipe in black slow cooker, surrounded by crackers, bowls with spoons, cheese and sour cream

Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or spice before serving.

Note: At the beginning, the chili may look overly thick, but it loosens as it cooks.

Pro Tips

Browning the meat ahead of time enhances the flavor and texture. (For a true dump-and-go option, the raw meat can go into the slow cooker, but the texture won’t be as good.)
Using both tomato sauce and tomato paste gives the chili a heartier texture without any tomato chunks.
To thicken the chili, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes or stir in extra tomato paste.
To thin the chili, add more broth, 1/4 cup at a time.
If possible, stir occasionally to keep everything cooking evenly (although not required).
Serve with toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, diced onions, or avocado.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Use all ground beef or all turkey, depending on your preference. You can also include ground chicken or bison for other lean-protein choices!
For a more kid-friendly version, omit the jalapeños.
For a spicier chili, add more jalapeños, cayenne pepper, chipotle chili powder, or hot sauce to taste.
Deepen the flavor with extra cumin and smoked paprika.
Sneak in extra veggies with chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms.
Stir in ½ cup of brewed coffee or 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder for a deep, smoky flavor.
Optional: If you do happen to love beans in your chili, add a drained, rinsed can of kidney, pinto, or black beans into the slow cooker in the last hour of cooking.

closeup view of chili in black slow cooker with black ladle

Instant Pot Chili (No Beans!)

Brown the meat in a skillet.
Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot.
Set to high pressure for 10 minutes.
Allow a natural release for 5-10 minutes.
Stir, adjust seasoning to taste, and serve!

How To Serve Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili

Is there anything better than a piping hot bowl of chili at the end of the day or at a family gathering? Grab your favorite bag of corn chips or crackers, or make a quick pan of homemade cornbread, and layer on all the toppings.

And of course, you’re not limited to chili in just a bowl! Serve a generous spoonful over chili dogs with plenty of cheese, or over baked potatoes or sweet potatoes. Other options include over rice, cauliflower rice, or topping off hearty nachos with cheese sauce.

Turn the chili leftovers into a layered corn chip pie – like Fritos – and top with sour cream, cheese, and jalapeños.

No Bean Chili Toppings

Whether it’s a chili bar for gatherings or a simple family dinner, the toppings make it easy for everyone to customize a bowl just the way they love it. Try:

Shredded cheddar or pepper jack
Sour cream or Greek yogurt
Diced onion or green onion
Avocado slices
Jalapeño slices
Chopped cilantro
Hot sauce
Crushed tortilla chips or Fritos

overhead view of white dinner plate with bowl of chili topped with cheese and sour cream, crackers on the side, with bowls of cheese and sour cream and another bowl of chili in background

Storing and Reheating

How To Best Store Leftovers

Fridge

Store leftover chili in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container.

Freezer

Freeze leftover chili in a sealed container or bag for up to 3 months. Be sure to remove excess air from bags in order to prevent freezer burn. Check out this Guide On How To Freeze Chili for tips to prep, assemble, and store ingredients in the freezer before cooking.

How To Best Reheat Leftovers

Reheat leftover chili on the stovetop over low-to-medium heat and add a splash of broth to thin if needed.

To reheat in the microwave, set to short intervals, stirring between, and cover loosely with a paper towel to prevent splatter.

If reheating from the freezer, allow the chili to defrost in the fridge first.