How many carbs are in homemade chili without beans?

November 24, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data, a typical 1-cup serving of homemade chili without beans can contain as few as 8 net carbs, depending on the ingredients. Understanding how many carbs are in homemade chili without beans is essential for those on a low-carb or ketogenic diet, as the final count varies significantly based on your specific recipe and choice of ingredients.

Quick Summary

An exploration of the carbohydrate content in homemade, beanless chili, detailing factors that affect carb count, ingredient swaps for reduction, and comparisons with traditional versions to help you manage your nutritional intake effectively.

Key Points

Low Net Carbs: A standard serving of homemade chili without beans typically has 8-10 net carbs, making it a viable option for low-carb and keto diets.
Beans Are the Main Carb Source: The exclusion of beans drastically lowers the carbohydrate content compared to traditional chili recipes, which can have 15+ net carbs per serving.
Tomato Products Impact Carbs: Canned tomatoes are the primary remaining carb source. Choosing brands with no added sugar or fire-roasted varieties helps minimize carbs.
Veggies Add Fiber: Ingredients like onions, bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms contribute flavor and fiber, which lowers the overall net carb count.
Control Your Spices: Use individual spices like chili powder and cumin instead of pre-packaged seasoning mixes, which can contain hidden sugars and starches.
Adjust for Your Diet: For even lower carbs, reduce the amount of tomato products or add more fibrous, low-carb vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini.
Focus on Protein and Flavor: This style of chili is rich in protein and intense flavor, ensuring it is a filling and satisfying meal even without the added bulk of beans.

What Affects the Carbohydrate Count in Beanless Chili?

While removing beans is the most significant step toward lowering the carb count in chili, other ingredients play a crucial role. The total and net carbs in your homemade chili without beans are determined by several key components, primarily tomato products, onions, and any added sugars or thickeners.

Tomato Products: Canned crushed or diced tomatoes are a primary source of carbohydrates in many chili recipes. While a necessary base for flavor and liquid, some brands can contain added sugars. Checking nutrition labels is vital. Opt for brands with no added sugar or fire-roasted versions for deeper flavor without the sweetness.
Aromatics (Onions and Garlic): These provide essential flavor but also contribute a small number of carbs. Finely dicing your onion allows you to use less while still getting the savory taste. For a stricter keto version, some people choose to omit onions or reduce the quantity.
Spices and Thickeners: Some pre-made chili seasoning packets can contain added starches or sugar. Using individual spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika gives you complete control over the carb content. To thicken chili without flour or cornstarch, consider a small amount of tomato paste or simply simmering it longer.

How to Minimize Carbs Further

For those on a very strict low-carb diet, there are several modifications you can make to your classic beanless recipe to get the carb count even lower.

Use Lower-Carb Vegetables: While standard chili recipes use onions and tomatoes, you can supplement or replace them with even lower-carb vegetables. Bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and spinach are all excellent, keto-friendly additions that add bulk, fiber, and nutrients without spiking the carb count.
Choose a Leaner Ground Meat: Ground beef is a staple, but using leaner cuts (90/10 or 93/7) or substituting with ground turkey or chicken can affect the overall macro breakdown, including carbs, depending on the other ingredients.
Control Tomato Quantity: Limit the number of canned tomato products. For a richer flavor without excessive tomato puree, consider adding a small amount of unsweetened cocoa powder, which adds a depth similar to mole.
Focus on Fiber: Ingredients like bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms add fiber. Since net carbs are calculated by subtracting fiber from total carbs, this addition helps lower your net carb count and provides better digestive health.

Comparison: Homemade Chili Without Beans vs. With Beans

To highlight the impact of removing beans, let's compare the nutritional profiles. Note: The values are approximate and can vary based on specific brands and serving sizes.


Feature	Homemade Chili Without Beans (Approx. 1 cup)	Traditional Homemade Chili With Beans (Approx. 1 cup)
Total Carbohydrates	12–15g	25–35g
Dietary Fiber	4–6g	8–12g
Net Carbohydrates	8–10g	15–25g
Primary Carb Source	Tomato products, onions, bell peppers	Beans (especially kidney, pinto, black), tomato products
Keto Friendliness	Generally suitable for keto diet, depending on daily carb limit	Not keto-friendly due to high carb count from beans
Texture	Hearty, meat-focused, and chunky	Thicker, heartier, with the added texture of beans

Crafting Your Own Low-Carb Recipe

Here is a simple list of ingredients for a delicious, low-carb, no-bean chili recipe, which can help answer the question, "how many carbs are in homemade chili without beans?", in your kitchen:

1-2 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
1.5 lbs ground beef (90/10 lean)
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp chili powder (no sugar added)
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 (28 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup beef broth (low sodium)
4 oz can diced green chiles
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: 1 cup chopped zucchini or mushrooms for added bulk

To prepare, brown the meat, then sauté the aromatics. Add spices and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes, broth, and green chiles. Simmer for at least 30 minutes, uncovered, to allow flavors to meld and the chili to thicken.

Conclusion

Homemade chili without beans is a fantastic, flavorful option for those seeking a low-carb, keto-friendly comfort food. The exact carb count depends on your specific recipe, but with careful attention to tomato products and additional vegetables, you can create a satisfying bowl with as few as 8-10 net carbs per serving. By controlling your ingredients, you can enjoy a rich and hearty meal that fits perfectly within your dietary goals, all while answering the question of how many carbs are in homemade chili without beans.

Optional Outbound Link

For further reading on nutrient calculations and food tracking, a resource like Carb Manager offers detailed breakdowns for a wide range of foods, including various chili recipes and modifications. You can check out their food detail for chili at Carb Manager's Nutrition Facts.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 1-cup serving of homemade chili without beans can have as few as 8 to 10 net carbs, depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used. This is significantly lower than traditional chili with beans.

Canned tomatoes do contain carbohydrates, but the amount can vary between brands. It is best to check the nutritional label and choose brands without added sugar to keep the carb count as low as possible.

For a low-carb diet, you can substitute beans with additional vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, or cauliflower rice. These additions provide texture and bulk without a high carb count.

You can thicken your no-bean chili by simply simmering it for a longer period to reduce the liquid. Alternatively, adding a small amount of tomato paste or a low-carb thickener like xanthan gum can also work without significantly increasing carbs.

Yes, homemade chili without beans is generally suitable for the ketogenic diet because it eliminates the primary source of carbs. The remaining carb count, mainly from tomatoes and onions, is low enough for most keto diet plans.

Onions and garlic do contain carbs, but in moderation, they contribute a negligible amount to the overall carb count of chili. For stricter diets, you can reduce the amount of onion or omit it, but it provides important flavor.

Using ground turkey instead of ground beef will not change the carb count significantly, as both are protein sources with very few carbohydrates. However, it can alter the fat and calorie content.