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This bacon & beef chili is a hearty and filling take on chili! It’s paleo, whole30, and can easily be made to be AIP-friendly.

bacon & beef chili with avocado and cilantro

Beef & Bacon Chili

Bacon isn’t just a breakfast food… it literally makes everything better! It pairs well with sweet, savory, you name it. It adds an amazing flavor to just about everything, including chili.

This beef & bacon chili is made with ground beef and bacon for a hearty chili that’s free of beans to make it paleo, and whole30. It can also easily be made AIP-friendly.

The Ingredients for Beef & Bacon Chili

  • Ground beef & Bacon
  • Carrots & sweet potato. These vegetables add an extra bite to the chili since there aren’t any beans!
  • Fire-roasted tomato & broth. You can also use nomato sauce to keep it AIP.
  • Coconut aminos. This adds extra umami that something like Worcestershire sauce would.
  • Chili powder, cumin, oregano, cilantro & coconut sugar. These are the main seasonings for the chili. See notes for making this AIP-friendly.

chili in a bowl with avocado and lime

How to make Beef & Bacon Chili

  • Cook the bacon and set aside.
  • Cook the vegetables: Add the onion and garlic to the pot and saute until the onion is translucent. Add the carrots and sweet potato and saute for 6-8 minutes to lightly soften.
  • Cook the beef and season: Add the ground beef to the pot and break it up with a rubber spatula to crumble the beef. Season and cook until the beef is browned.
  • Cook the chili: Pour in the tomato, broth, coconut aminos, and the cooked bacon. Stir well to combine. Bring the chili to a boil and reduce to a medium-low simmer. Simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the chili is reduced to your liking and the vegetables are soft.
  • Serve topped with avocado, fresh cilantro, and additional lime juice.

How do you make this chili AIP?

  • Use nomato sauce instead of tomato. Trust me, it works!
  • Leave out the chili powder and add a bit of ginger for spice. 

Can you add beans to this chili if tolerated?

You can! This chili would be great with black beans. Be sure to add some more broth to balance out the ratios.

Can you freeze this chili?

For sure! I would leave off the toppings of course, but you can freeze it for 2-3 months, defrost in the fridge and reheat on the stove.

chili in a bowl with avocado and cilantro

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Bacon & Beef Chili (Paleo, Whole30, AIP)

★★★★★

5 from 8 reviews
  • Author: Michelle
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

This bacon & beef chili is a hearty and filling take on chili! It’s paleo, whole30, and can easily be made to be AIP-friendly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 slices of bacon, chopped
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup carrots, diced
  • 1/2 cup sweet potato, diced
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/3 tsp black pepper (omit for AIP)
  • 1 tsp coconut sugar (omit for whole30)
  • 2–3 tsp chili powder (adjust to taste, omit and see notes for AIP)
  • 1 tsp cumin (omit for AIP)
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 2 tsp dried cilantro
  • 1 1/2 cup fire-roasted crushed tomato (sub nomato sauce for AIP)
  • 2 1/2 cups beef broth
  • 2 tsp coconut aminos

To serve:

  • Diced avocado
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Using a large stockpot, cook the bacon over medium heat until lightly crisp. Set aside, leaving about 2 tbsp worth of fat in the pot.
  2. Add the onion and garlic to the pot and saute until the onion is translucent. Add the carrots and sweet potato and saute for 6-8 minutes to lightly soften.
  3. Add the ground beef to the pot and break it up with a rubber spatula to crumble the beef. Season with salt, pepper, coconut sugar, cumin, oregano, cilantro, and chili powder and stir until the beef is browned.
  4. Pour in the tomato, broth, coconut aminos, and the cooked bacon. Stir well to combine.
  5. Bring the chili to a boil and reduce to a medium-low simmer. Simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the chili is reduced to your liking and the vegetables are soft.
  6. Serve topped with avocado, fresh cilantro, and juice from fresh lime wedges to taste.

Notes

If AIP and a spicier chili is desired, add about 1-2 tsp of ginger to taste in lieu of the chili powder and cumin.

All nutritional information are estimations and will vary. Estimations do not include optional ingredients.

  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 60
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 372
  • Fat: 20.4g
  • Carbohydrates: 12.7g
  • Fiber: 2.5g
  • Protein: 33.1g

Keywords: chili, paleo chili, beef and bacon chili