White bean chili recipe blended in a base of bone broth and low starch navy beans for a mildly spicy flavor experience uniquely different from traditional tomato-based versions.
My family loves chili, so it is a regular feature on the dinner menu. However, I must admit that I was getting a bit tired of the keto chili recipe I usually make.
So, I tried the white bean chili below this time around for a welcome mix-up. A good friend shared it with me. She makes it regularly and thought I would enjoy it.
She was 100% right!
This variation uses traditional chicken broth instead of tomato sauce. Note that cartons and cans of broth from the store are not acceptable alternatives as they are quite toxic and not at all healthy to use even in a pinch.
When I made the recipe for the first time this week, I made three key substitutions.
First, I switched up the white kidney beans for navy beans, which are low starch. Navy beans are the only bean that is legal for those on the GAPS diet (which my husband is on).
I also used freshly chopped bell peppers instead of canned or jarred peppers.
The final adjustment I made was to the cheese.
The original recipe used Monterey jack. I changed this up for pepper jack instead to add some bite to the chili without too much spiciness.
I also shredded the cheese myself by slicing the amount I needed from a block and then shredding it in my Vita-Mix.
Commercial shredded cheese contains aluminum, so I advise that you never buy it!
This white bean chili was a huge hit!
I will be making a second pot in a few days. The first one went so fast that everyone wants more!
My son said it tasted like the fajitas he used to eat in the college dining hall. At first, I wasn’t sure this was a compliment, but he gobbled it up and wanted seconds, so I took that as a thumbs up. 😉
The only tweak I will make the second time around is to go with a cup and a half of dry beans instead of the single cup I used with the first batch.
By the way, if you’d like more healthy low-carb dinner ideas, check out the link for twenty or so additional recipes that are traditionally inspired!
White Bean Chili
White bean chili recipe blended in a base of bone broth and low carb navy beans for a mildly spicy flavor experience uniquely different from traditional tomato-based versions.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds ground beef preferably grassfed
- 1-1.5 cup dried navy beans preferably sprouted
- filtered water omit if using sprouted beans
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar omit if using sprouted beans
- 1.5 cups chicken broth
- 1 Tbsp ghee or butter
- 6 ounces pepper jack cheese shredded
- 1 green pepper seeded and coarsely chopped
- 1 red, orange or yellow pepper seeded and coarsely chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 1-2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1.5 tsp ground cumin
- 1-2 tsp sea salt to taste
Instructions
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Place navy beans in a medium glass bowl and cover with filtered water. Stir in a tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar or lemon juice and let sit overnight (or up to 24 hours). Drain beans and rinse thoroughly.
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If using sprouted navy beans, skip above step.
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Cover soaked or sprouted navy beans with fresh, filtered water and bring to a low boil on the stovetop. Cover and turn down the heat. Simmer for one hour or until soft.
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While the beans are cooking, saute ground beef until just cooked through in a large skillet. Do NOT drain the fat. It is GOOD for you and very healing to the gut lining.
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Melt ghee in a separate fry pan and saute chopped onions, peppers, and minced garlic until soft. Stir in sea salt and cumin and blend together with the cooked ground beef.
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When beans are cooked, drain and rinse.
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Add cooked navy beans and chicken broth to pan of ground beef and vegetables. Simmer on low for about 30 minutes to blend the flavors and thicken the chili slightly.
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Remove pan from heat and stir in shredded pepper jack cheese and lime juice.
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Serve immediately. I enjoy this chili on a bed of basmati white rice.
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Once cooled, refrigerate in a covered container (glass is best for preserving flavor) and enjoy as leftovers for up to four days.
This is our new favorite recipe! I only use one pound of ground beef and one teaspoon of salt and the flavor comes out perfectly! I don’t add bell pepper as nightshades affect me and I also crush the two cloves of garlic instead of mincing and it is still delicious. This time I used RBD coconut oil to sauté in lieu of ghee: still delicious and we didn’t miss the ghee. Lastly, I sautéed the onions and beef together at the same time with no change in the final flavor. I am incredibly grateful you have introduced us to white chili! With toppings including cheese, freshly squeezed lime, avocado and sour cream it just knocks it out of the park! Thank you kindly!
Looks yummy! Is there a particular reason to do the peppers in a separate pan as opposed to sauté them by adding to the already browned ground beef ?
I don’t find the peppers cook the way I like mixed with the ground beef. I do the onions and peppers in a separate pan and then blend with the beans/broth/beef. Use a different method for cooking/blending the items if you prefer it.
My husband has been diagnosed with Alpha gal syndrome. No mammal products and we have a freezer full of beef and pork. We butchered our last steer this fall and are sharing the meat with family. Anyway, for the time being there will be no meat and dairy. We also found out he is sensitive to gluten and eggs among other things. We are both 75 years old and this is really depressing to deal with. I am hoping duck egg protein is different enough to at least have eggs. Hoping I can use chunky chicken instead of ground beef.
Jane Metzger
Hi Jane, yes…you could definitely substitute ground turkey or chicken if a health condition precludes ground beef.