• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
GreenLiteBites
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Favs
  • Macros
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Vegetarian
  • Snacks
  • Lunch
  • Appetizers
  • Breakfast
  • Cakes
  • Chili-like
  • Desserts
  • Drinks
  • Entree
  • Gluten-Free
  • Healthy Recipes
  • High Protein
  • Kid Friendly
  • Cooking Videos
  • Leftover Ideas
  • Low Carb
  • Main Dishes
  • Muffins
  • Paleo
  • Party
  • Pasta
  • Pizza
  • Quick Recipes
  • Salads
  • Sandwich
  • Side Dishes
  • Soups
  • Tacos
  • The Laughing Cow
  • Whole30
  • Tips & Reviews
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Dinner
    • Vegetarian
    • Snacks
    • Lunch
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Cakes
    • Chili-like
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Entree
    • Gluten-Free
    • Healthy Recipes
    • High Protein
    • Kid Friendly
    • Cooking Videos
    • Leftover Ideas
    • Low Carb
    • Main Dishes
    • Muffins
    • Paleo
    • Party
    • Pasta
    • Pizza
    • Quick Recipes
    • Salads
    • Sandwich
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • Tacos
    • The Laughing Cow
    • Whole30
    • Tips & Reviews
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » My Whole30 Go-To Chili

    My Whole30 Go-To Chili

    Updated: Jun 12, 2023 by Veronica Noone · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    chili pin

    It's day 1 for me on the Whole30 challenge. My fridge is stocked. I have lots of leftover Kale Potato Chicken Soup, a huge fruit salad the kids and I made and this amazing chili I whipped up after a big grocery shopping trip yesterday.

    One pound of beef was all I needed to make 10 cups of this veggie-filled chili.  The addition of eggplant, yellow squash and zucchini really bulk it up. The mushrooms add to the "meatiness" and  everything else just makes it super yummy.

    Here's what I did...

    Ingredients

    • 1 lbs ground beef (I used 90% lean grass fed)
    • 1 medium onion, chopped
    • 3 gloves of garlic
    • 1 medium eggplant (~400g)
    • 5-6 plum tomatoes
    • 2 large bell peppers (I used red and yellow)
    • 1 medium yellow squash (~250g)
    • 1 medium zucchini (~250g)
    • 1 oz package of mushrooms
    • 1-2 jalapeños (to taste; I used a large one with the seeds and ribs)
    • 6 oz can of tomato paste
    • 1 tablespoon unsweetend cocoa powder
    • 1 tablespoon cumin
    • 1 tablespoon chili powder
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice
    • Salt to taste

    Instructions

    Start to brown the beef with the chopped onion. While they are cooking, mince the garlic and add it in. Stir and begin to cube the eggplant.

    When I make a big pot of chili like this I prep as I go. So add the eggplant as you cut and stir it in.

    Sprinkle in a little salt to help draw out the moisture.

    Chop the tomatoes and add them to the pot with another small pinch of salt.

    Continue to chop (mince the jalapeño) the remaining ingredients adding each to the pot and stirring in.

    By the time you are finishing the beef will be cooked and lots of moisture will be cooking out of the veggies. Stir in the can of tomato paste, spices and lime juice. You shouldn't have to add any additional liquid but if it's too thick to your liking, a splash or two won't hurt.

    Cover and lower to a simmer, cooking at least 30 minutes allowing all the flavors to merge.

    Serve with cubed avocado and cilantro on top.

    chili 1

    📖 Recipe

    chili featured

    My Whole30 Go-To Chili

    Craving a hearty, spicy meal? Look no further than this delicious chili recipe! Packed with protein and flavor
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10 people
    Calories 172 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lbs ground beef I used 90% lean grass fed
    • 1 medium onion chopped
    • 3 gloves of garlic
    • 1 medium eggplant ~400g
    • 5-6 plum tomatoes
    • 2 large bell peppers I used red and yellow
    • 1 medium yellow squash ~250g
    • 1 medium zucchini ~250g
    • 1 oz package of mushrooms
    • 1-2 jalapeños to taste; I used a large one with the seeds and ribs
    • 6 oz can of tomato paste
    • 1 tablespoon unsweetend cocoa powder
    • 1 tablespoon cumin
    • 1 tablespoon chili powder
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice
    • Salt to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Start to brown the beef with the chopped onion. While they are cooking, mince the garlic and add it in. Stir and begin to cube the eggplant.
      1 lbs ground beef, 1 medium onion, 1 medium eggplant, 3 gloves of garlic
    • When I make a big pot of chili like this I prep as I go. So add the eggplant as you cut and stir it in.
      1 tablespoon chili powder
    • Sprinkle in a little salt to help draw out the moisture.
      Salt to taste
    • Chop the tomatoes and add them to the pot with another small pinch of salt.
      5-6 plum tomatoes
    • Continue to chop (mince the jalapeño) the remaining ingredients adding each to the pot and stirring in.
      2 large bell peppers, 1 medium yellow squash, 1 medium zucchini, 1 oz package of mushrooms, 1-2 jalapeños, 1 tablespoon unsweetend cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon cumin
    • By the time you are finishing the beef will be cooked and lots of moisture will be cooking out of the veggies. Stir in the can of tomato paste, spices and lime juice. You shouldn't have to add any additional liquid but if it's too thick to your liking, a splash or two won't hurt.
      1 tablespoon lime juice, 6 oz can of tomato paste
    • Cover and lower to a simmer, cooking at least 30 minutes allowing all the flavors to merge.
    • Serve with cubed avocado and cilantro on top.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 172kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 11gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 210mgPotassium: 693mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1623IUVitamin C: 48mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword Beef, Chili Recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Other Recipes:

    • 27 flavorful bell pepper recipes featured
      27 Flavorful Bell Pepper Recipes
    • farm fresh turkey chili featured
      Farm Fresh Turkey Chili
    • turkey taco stew featured
      Quick Quinoa & Turkey Taco Stew
    • roasted peppers featured
      Roasted Peppers and Potatoes - Video Post

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Missy Koeppel

      February 09, 2016 at 12:23 pm

      Oh. My. Goodness. I made the chicken, potato, kale soup on Thursday, and I've been eating it for breakfast (I hate eggs.) I made this chili on Sunday, and I keep having to slap my husband's hand away, because, darn it, it's my lunch for the week. It is fantastic! You are now my favorite 🙂

      Reply
    2. Missy Koeppel

      February 02, 2016 at 4:15 pm

      Thank you so much for your recipes. I started my Whole 30 on Sunday, and I am a bit overwhelmed. This chili and your sausage recipe will be made on Sunday for next week.

      Reply
    3. Janelle

      January 02, 2016 at 9:39 pm

      I made this tonight and it was awesome. I didn't have jalapenos, so used extra black pepper and put some extra garlic in. The only thing I would have done differently is peeled the eggplant (the dark skin is visually distracting, to me). It's pretty tasty!

      Reply
    4. Brenda

      January 02, 2016 at 10:03 am

      In the recipe it says 1 oz. package mushrooms - did you mean 1 8 oz. package?

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Roni in kitchen

    Hi, I'm Roni!

    GreenLiteBites is a complete creative outlet for me. I post what I'm eating and feeding my family. I photograph every recipe.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • roasted featured
      Roasted (Wish They Were Grilled) Cabbage
    • Homemade teething Biscuit in 60 seconds!
    • colorful roasted potatoes featured
      Colorful Roasted Potatoes with Carrots and Rosemary (Plus a Tasteful Selections Giveaway!)
    • favorite green smoothie featured
      Our New Favorite Green Smoothie the Video

    Recent Recipes:

    • Wacky Watermelon - Video Post
    • Pepper and Corn Soup with Fresh Cilantro
    • simple cheesy salsa featured
      Simple Cheesy Salsa
    • No Go on the Yo

    Important Pages

    • Privacy Policy
    • Macros (With calculator)
    • Disclaimer
    • Contatct

    Categories

    • Cooking Videos (167)
    • Recipe Collections (20)
    • Recipes (1,223)
      • Appetizers (93)
      • Breakfast (203)
      • Cakes (38)
      • Chili-like (41)
      • Desserts (132)
      • Dinner (440)
      • Drinks (69)
      • Entree (45)
      • Gluten-Free (75)
      • Healthy Recipes (94)
      • High Protein (50)
      • Kid Friendly (399)
      • Leftover Ideas (33)
      • Low Carb (31)
      • Lunch (350)
      • Main Dishes (150)
      • Muffins (32)
      • Paleo (36)
      • Party (91)
      • Pasta (36)
      • Pizza (35)
      • Quick Recipes (43)
      • Salads (171)
      • Sandwich (83)
      • Side Dishes (171)
      • Snacks (192)
      • Soups (100)
      • Tacos (9)
      • The Laughing Cow (65)
      • Vegetarian (387)
      • Whole30 (22)
    • Tips & Reviews (132)
    Roni in kitchen

    Hi, I'm Roni!

    GreenLiteBites is a complete creative outlet for me. I post what I'm eating and feeding my family. I photograph every recipe.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Banana Soft Serve (It's Homemade One Ingredient Ice Cream, SERIOUSLY!)
    • pumpkin oatmeal cups featured
      Pumpkin Oatmeal Cups
    • roasted broccoli & cauliflower featured
      Roasted Broccoli & Cauliflower with Mushrooms and an Olive Oil Giveaway!
    • homemade almond milk take featured
      Homemade Almond Milk Take 1

    Recent Recipes:

    • My Cute Halloween Cheese Didn't Work. :(
    • Beans, Beans, They're Good for Your Heart...
    • A Quick Summer Lunch
    • School Lunch Idea 1

    Important Pages

    • Privacy Policy
    • Macros (With calculator)
    • Disclaimer
    • Contatct

    Categories

    • Cooking Videos (167)
    • Recipe Collections (20)
    • Recipes (1,223)
      • Appetizers (93)
      • Breakfast (203)
      • Cakes (38)
      • Chili-like (41)
      • Desserts (132)
      • Dinner (440)
      • Drinks (69)
      • Entree (45)
      • Gluten-Free (75)
      • Healthy Recipes (94)
      • High Protein (50)
      • Kid Friendly (399)
      • Leftover Ideas (33)
      • Low Carb (31)
      • Lunch (350)
      • Main Dishes (150)
      • Muffins (32)
      • Paleo (36)
      • Party (91)
      • Pasta (36)
      • Pizza (35)
      • Quick Recipes (43)
      • Salads (171)
      • Sandwich (83)
      • Side Dishes (171)
      • Snacks (192)
      • Soups (100)
      • Tacos (9)
      • The Laughing Cow (65)
      • Vegetarian (387)
      • Whole30 (22)
    • Tips & Reviews (132)

    Copyright © 2025 · Greenlitebites LLC

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required