Carnivore Chili Recipe
This rich, meat-packed chili is a dream for meat lovers and those following a high-protein or carnivore lifestyle. It is thick, deeply savory, and topped with crispy bacon.
Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 45 minutes | Servings: 6
Ingredients
-
2 lbs ground beef (80/20 or 85/15 for great flavor)
-
1 lb beef stew meat, cut into small bite-sized pieces
-
8 oz bacon, chopped
-
1 large onion, finely diced (optional, omit for strict carnivore)
-
4 cloves garlic, minced
-
2 cups beef bone broth or beef stock
-
1 tbsp tomato paste (optional, for depth of flavor)
-
1 tbsp chili powder (optional, omit for strict carnivore)
-
1 tsp ground cumin (optional)
-
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
-
Optional toppings: Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, or extra crispy bacon strips
Instructions
-
Crisp the Bacon: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, add the chopped bacon. Cook until crispy, then use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and set it aside on a paper towel, leaving the rendered bacon fat in the pot.
-
Brown the Meats: Turn the heat up to medium-high. Add the beef stew meat to the bacon fat and sear until browned on all sides (about 5 to 7 minutes). Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until completely browned and no pink remains.
-
Aromatics: If using onions, add them to the beef mixture and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
-
Simmer: Pour in the beef bone broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper (if using spices). Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
-
Slow Cook: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer for at least 30 to 40 minutes so the stew meat becomes tender and the flavors meld together. Remove the lid for the last 10 minutes if you prefer a thicker consistency.
-
Serve: Ladle the hot carnivore chili into bowls, top generously with the reserved crispy bacon and optional cheese or sour cream, and enjoy!
