Healthy Beef & Bean Chili

This is my go-to healthy Beef & Bean chili recipe that I know you will love too! This classic-style chili is made with ground beef, lots of beans, and a delicious combination of spices. 

Keep reading for how to make this gluten-free, dairy-free, no-sugar added healthy beef chili recipe…

MAKING EATING FOR PCOS EASY AND DELICIOUS WITH HEALTHY BEEF & BEAN CHILI…

This is my go-to, easy, stove-top chili recipe. It’s the one I’ve been making for a couple years now and I am so excited to finally bring it to the blog. It’s a healthier spin on the classic-style chili made with beef and beans and tons and tons of flavour thanks to spices like chili powder, smoked paprika (my favourite!), cumin and coriander. 

This chili recipe is all things flavourful, slightly spicy, satisfying, filling and down-right delicious.

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HOW TO MAKE THIS PCOS-FRIENDLY HEALTHIER BEEF CHILI RECIPE…

Here are some tips to help make great beef and bean chili…

I always have ground beef in my freezer, lean ground beef in particular. Any other ground meat can be used instead of beef just be sure to brown it in the pot first and remove any excess grease. 

I opted for mixed beans here. You can look for canned mixed at the grocery store and it’s essentially just a blend of 6 different beans all in one can. I like using mixed beans for soups and chilis because the mix of different beans adds great texture. Of course, if you don’t have mixed beans on hand or are partial to a type of bean in particular you go with that instead. 

I used fresh green bell pepper and fresh tomatoes for this recipe. Really, any colour pepper will work and any type of tomato as well (regular, cherry, Roma… whatever you have). Drained diced tomatoes from the can will work here as well. 

I used vegetable broth here, instead of something like beef broth, for a couple of reasons. First, I always have vegetable stock on hand (either homemade or my favourite boxed brand, Pacific Foods). And second, store-bought beef broths often have added colour (like caramel colour) and flavour enhancers, both of which I try to avoid if I can so veggie stock it is. 

I love this beef and bean chili topped with an extra squeeze of lime juice, fresh avocado and a touch of fresh cilantro. 

This chili lasts for up to three days in an airtight container in the fridge or freeze for later. 

Healthy Beef and Bean Recipe Frequently Asked Questions

Is beef chiili healthy? Is it good for you?

I would definitely consider this version of chili to be both healthy and good for you. This chili is made with only real, whole-food, PCOS-friendly ingredients and because of that it is packed with nutrients for your body, like protein and fibre. I also love that we use a simple combination of spices from the spice cupboard so there’s no added flavour-enhances, preservatives or other additives.  

Want to know more about PCOS-friendly ingredients? Download my PCOS-Friendly Foods Cheat Sheet! (This is the exact food lists I use with my clients inside of my PCOS Nutrition and Wellness programs!)

What’s the best kind of beef for chili?

I use lean ground beef for all things beef chili. Extra lean works too if that’s what you have (or is what’s on sale!). When it comes to meat, opt for the highest quality that you can afford or that is accessible to you. 

Can you freeze beef and bean chili? 

Yes! This chili freezes well so toss any leftovers in a the freezer for a quick meal later on. When ready to heat thaw in the fridge and reheat on the stove. Don’t forget to reseason with salt, pepper and a little more lime juice. 

MORE ABOUT THIS RECIPE FOR BEEF CHILI WITH BEANS…

BRING ON THE CHILI!  

I’m currently writing this blog post as I watch the first snowfall of the year happen outside my window. And there is nothing that makes my want to dive face-first into a bowl of warm, slightly spicy, comforting deliciousness than snow.

If you’ve been around the little corner of the internet for any time, you know that I am NOT a fan of cold and snow. A large part of me wants nothing more than to hibernate away for November through March and pretend winter does not exist so i am super thankful for recipes like this one that not only warms me up but give me a little comforting hug as well. 

And I am here to say, with a bowl of beef and bean chili in-hand, that comforting food can be comforting and delicious AND healthy and good for you too. 

Comfort food does have a bit of a reputation for being ‘unhealthy’ and I’m sure there are many comfort foods out there that are not PCOS friendly. However, when you are looking to change your nutrition or eat to better manage your PCOS, one of my top suggestions is to find healthier or PCOS-friendly versions of your favourite foods, like your go-to comfort foods. 

When you have these healthier versions of your favourites it makes sticking with healthy eating so much easier. You feel so much less deprived. You enjoy what you’re eating so much more. You feel so much better about your food choices. And your meal can actually bring your joy – which in my opinion, is such a big part of eating.  

And if you’re a fan of chili, this is a great healthier version for you to try at home. 

Here are some substitutions or variations to try to make this soup your own and exactly how you like it: 

• No Beef? Use ground turkey, chicken, pork or other ground meat instead. 
• No Mixed Beans? Use your favourite bean instead – black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, black-eyed peas… any and all will work here. 
• Like it spicy? I would rate the spiciness of this chili as a mild-verging-on-medium (<very technical term). If you like a spicy chili add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper or hot sauce to taste. If you prefer a mild/next-to-no-spice chili, reduce the amount of chili powder in the as-written recipe.

YUM!

I HOPE YOU LIKE THIS RECIPE AS MUCH AS I DO! 

IF YOU GIVE THIS HEALTHY BEEF & BEAN CHILI RECIPE A TRY LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW AND BE SURE TO SHARE A PICTURE ON INSTAGRAM USING THE TAG @ALWAYSNOURISHED. I LOVE TO SEE WHAT YOU’RE COOKING!

This Beef & Bean Chili was originally published in November 2022. Thank you for supporting Always Nourished and making recipes like this one possible!