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This chili without beans recipe is a delicious healthy chili made with ground beef, ground turkey, carrots and sweet potatoes. It is seasoned with bacon, brewed coffee and cocoa powder.
I make chili pretty often, especially this time of year. It’s easy to put together. It’s flavorful. It’s filling. It tastes amazing with avocado and plantain chips. What’s not to love?
This coffee and cocoa powder chili is a great no-bean chili recipe. The carrots and sweet potatoes take the place of beans and it works so well. Try my Apple Sage Turkey Chili or my Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken and Vegetable Chili for other variations of chili.
Table of Contents
What makes this recipe great
- The unique seasoning here results in a rich, smokey, sophisticated chili.
- It’s great for those avoiding beans.
- It’s great for anyone following a dairy-free, gluten-free, Paleo or Whole30 diet.
- It is easy to customize.
Recipe ingredients
- bacon– as the bacon cooks the bacon grease releases and adds a yummy flavor to the chili.
- onion and garlic– this seasons the meat and the sauce of the whole dish.
- red bell pepper– this veggie always adds a hint of flavor that works great for chili.
- ground beef and ground turkey– these meats make the bulk of the chili and add a good amount of protein.
- tomato paste and maple syrup– these add umami and sweetness to the chili.
- cumin, chili powder, ground paprika, ground coriander– all of these spices are great chili spices.
- brewed coffee and cocoa powder– both of these are the unique bonus flavors of this chili recipe. They deepen and enhance all the other flavors in the dish.
- strained tomatoes and chopped tomatoes– these add the liquid to the dish, along with flavor.
- sweet potatoes and carrots– these add a nice crunch to the dish.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Additions/ Substitutions
- You can use just ground beef or just ground turkey in this recipe.
- You can use garlic powder and onion powder instead of fresh onions and garlic. 1 teaspoon of each would work great here.
- You can adjust what spices you use and how much.
- You can use different veggies in this chili.
Step by step instructions:
Step 1: Cook the garlic and onion with bacon. Then add the diced red bell peppers.
Step 2: Add the ground turkey and beef and cook until browned.
Step 3: Season the meat with tomato paste, maple syrup, cumin, chili powder, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Step 4: Add the brewed coffee, cocoa powder, strained tomatoes, chopped tomatoes, and bay leaf.
Step 5: Let everything simmer for about 15 minutes.
Step 6: Add the diced carrots and sweet potatoes and then the chili cooks for another 30 minutes.
Expert tips:
How to serve:
- This chili tastes amazing with avocado on top and plantain chips as well.
- Feel free to add beans if you aren’t following a Paleo or Whole30 diet.
- Top with vegan cheese or regular cheese on top.
- I think the idea to make a chili bar is genius. Check out the toppings used in this chili bar.
- This chili tastes amazing on top of eggs for breakfast.
- Add this chili on top of a baked potato.
Other dinner recipes you will love:
Did you try this recipe? Please leave me a ⭐ review below!
Coffee and Cocoa Powder Chili (without Beans)
Ingredients
- 2 strips bacon, cut into small pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 4 Tbs tomato paste
- 2 Tbs maple syrup, ( optional- omit for Whole30)
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 1.5 Tbs chili powder
- 1.5 Tbs ground paprika
- 1.5 tsp ground coriander
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 cups brewed coffee
- 2 cups strained tomatoes, canned or boxed ( Pomi is my favorite)
- 2 cups chopped tomatoes, canned or boxed ( Pomi is my favorite)
- 1.5 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 bay leaf
- 5 cups diced sweet potatoes, large dice (this was 2-3 potatoes for me)
- 2 cups diced carrots, large dice (about ¾ inch wide)
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or a large pot, over medium-high heat, cook the minced garlic, minced onion and the bacon pieces for about 6-8 minutes, mixing often and making sure to scape the bottom of the pan. Reduce stovetop heat to medium. Add the diced red pepper, mix into the onion and garlic, and cook for 2 minutes. The onions should really caramelize at this point, but make sure they don’t burn.
- Add the ground beef and turkey to the pan, and cook about 6-8 minutes until browned. Add the tomato paste and mix into the meat.
- Add the maple syrup, cumin, chili powder, paprika, coriander, salt, and pepper to the pan. Mix the seasoning into the meat.
- Then, add the brewed coffee, cocoa powder, strained tomatoes, chopped tomatoes, and bay leaf to the pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium ( or medium-low) and simmer for 15 minutes. Add diced sweet potatoes and carrots. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
THANK YOU THANK THANK YOU!!!!!!
THIS BASE OF RECIPE (WITH MY OWN MODIFICATIONS OF ACID AND BASES / ADDING IN SMOKED BRISKET AMONG OTHER SECRET INGREDIENTS) HAS MADE THE AN AWARD WINNING CHILI RECIPE.
This sounds delicious!!
What measurement of beans would you recommend if you aren’t adding in the potatoes and carrots
I would use 2-3 cans of beans. ( I love beans in chili lol ). Start with two cans and see if that is enough. I like using black beans and kidney beans.:)
Your recipe sounds amazing . I love chili on cold days!
This chili looks delicious! I love how you have added such unique flavors… I never would have thought to add cocoa or chili before. Definitely pinning to try soon. Perfect for a winter meal!
How unique is this recipe! Looks and sounds different! I love making different variations of chili and this one sounds marvelous!! Thanks so sharing!