When it comes to comfort food, chilli often takes the spotlight. Enter No-Tomato Chili—a daring twist on the classic that swaps out the usual suspects for something truly extraordinary.
This isn’t your average chilli; it’s a bold, flavour-packed adventure that reimagines what comfort food can be.
I’ve crafted a recipe that maintains all the hearty flavours without a single tomato in sight.
This No-Tomato Chili recipe is packed with savoury goodness, perfect for those cooler days or any time you crave a bowl of something warm and filling.
How To Make No-Tomato Chili?
Preparation Times: 15 minutes
Cooking Times: 40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Yields: Serves 6
Equipment Needed
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 cup beef broth or chicken broth
- 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 (12 ounce) bottles of chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt to taste
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped jalapeno pepper (optional)
Instructions
Step-1. Brown the Meat
Start by heating your large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef or ground turkey, breaking it up as it cooks. I prefer using a wooden spoon for this step to ensure the meat is evenly browned. Cook until the meat is no longer pink, which should take about 7-10 minutes. If there’s excess fat, drain it before moving on.
Step-2. Sauté the Vegetables
Add the finely chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped green bell pepper to the pot. Sauté the vegetables with the browned meat until they become soft and aromatic. This usually takes about 5 minutes.
Step-3. Incorporate the Broth and Beans
Pour in the beef or chicken broth, stirring to lift any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the cannellini and kidney beans, ensuring they are mixed well with the other ingredients.
Step-4. Spice it Up
Now, sprinkle in the chilli powder, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, and dried oregano. Stir the spices into the mixture, making sure they are evenly distributed. The blend of these spices gives the chilli a rich and complex flavour profile.
Step-5. Add the Sauce and Worcestershire
Pour in the chilli sauce and add the Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together until the sauce is well incorporated.
Step-6. Simmer
Bring the chilli to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavours to meld together beautifully.
Step-7. Season and Serve
After the chilli has simmered, taste it, and season with salt as needed. If you like a bit of heat, this is where you can stir in the chopped jalapeño peppers. Once everything is to your liking, it’s ready to serve.
Nutrition Facts Of No-Tomato Chili
| Nutrition | Amounts |
|---|---|
| Calories | 380 |
| Protein | 27g |
| Fat | 20g |
| Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Sodium | 960mg |
| Cholesterol | 75mg |
Serving Suggestions
Cornbread: A slice of warm cornbread perfectly complements the hearty chilli.
Tortilla Chips: For added crunch, you can serve the chilli with a side of tortilla chips.
Sour Cream: A dollop of sour cream adds a cooling contrast to the spicy chilli.
Avocado Slices: Creamy avocado slices are a great way to add some healthy fats to your meal.
Tips and Variations
Make It Vegan
If you prefer a plant-based version, swap out the ground meat for your favourite meat substitute, like crumbled tofu, tempeh, or a vegan ground meat alternative. Use vegetable broth instead of beef or chicken broth.
Add More Vegetables
Feel free to bulk up your chilli with additional vegetables. Zucchini, carrots, and mushrooms all make great additions.
Adjust the Spice Level
If you like your chilli spicier, increase the amount of chilli powder or add some cayenne pepper. Conversely, if you prefer a milder chilli, reduce the chilli powder and omit the jalapeño peppers.
Special Note
This recipe is an excellent option for those who are sensitive to nightshades or looking to avoid tomatoes, as it uses alternative ingredients like pumpkin or sweet potatoes to create a similar consistency and depth of flavour.
FAQS
Can I freeze No-Tomato Chili?
Yes, this chilli freezes exceptionally well. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to airtight containers or freezer bags.
Can I make this chilli in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can. Brown the meat and sauté the vegetables as directed, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
What can I use as a substitute for chilli sauce?
If you don’t have chilli sauce on hand, you can use a mixture of tomato sauce with a bit of vinegar, sugar, and a dash of hot sauce to replicate the flavour.
Conclusion
This No-Tomato Chili is a fantastic alternative to the traditional chilli recipe, perfect for anyone avoiding tomatoes or just looking to try something new.
It’s rich, flavorful, and satisfying, offering all the warmth and comfort you expect from a bowl of chilli.
I hope you enjoy making and eating this recipe as much as I do.
No-Tomato Chili
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 lb 450g ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 green bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 1 cup beef broth or chicken broth
- 1 15 ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 15 oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 12 ounce bottles of chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt to taste
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped jalapeno pepper optional
Instructions
- Start by heating your large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef or ground turkey, breaking it up as it cooks. I prefer using a wooden spoon for this step to ensure the meat is evenly browned. Cook until the meat is no longer pink, which should take about 7-10 minutes. If there’s excess fat, drain it before moving on.
- Add the finely chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped green bell pepper to the pot. Sauté the vegetables with the browned meat until they become soft and aromatic. This usually takes about 5 minutes.
- Pour in the beef or chicken broth, stirring to lift any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the cannellini and kidney beans, ensuring they are mixed well with the other ingredients.
- Now, sprinkle in the chili powder, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, and dried oregano. Stir the spices into the mixture, making sure they are evenly distributed. The blend of these spices gives the chili a rich and complex flavor profile.
- Pour in the chili sauce and add the Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together until the sauce is well incorporated.
- Bring the chili to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- After the chili has simmered, taste it, and season with salt as needed. If you like a bit of heat, this is where you can stir in the chopped jalapeño peppers. Once everything is to your liking, it’s ready to serve.
Notes
Welcome to Arora’s Sauce Recipe, where every drop tells a story of tradition, innovation, and a boundless love for culinary arts. My name is Brazen, and I am the founder and chief sauce creator at Arora’s Kitchen. Born into a family with a rich heritage of culinary arts, I grew up surrounded by the aromas of spices and the sounds of simmering pots, which ignited my passion for cooking from a young age.
Inspired by generations of culinary expertise, I embarked on a professional quest to capture these fleeting aromas and flavors in bottles of sauce that could bring a gourmet experience to every meal.
As the founder of Arora’s Sauce Recipe, my mission is to inspire your culinary adventures with the finest sauces. Whether you’re a professional chef or a home cook, our sauces are crafted to elevate your cooking with every spoonful.
Thank you for choosing Arora’s Sauce Recipe. Here’s to a journey filled with flavor, passion, and unforgettable meals.