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A hearty bowl of low sodium chili, garnished with fresh cilantro, ready to be enjoyed.
Emily Carter

Low Sodium Chili

A flavorful and hearty low sodium chili recipe that's kind to your wallet and your health, perfect for a comforting family meal.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Calories: 438

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 1 lb Lean ground beef 93% lean
  • 1 large Onion chopped
  • 3 stalks Celery chopped
  • 3 Bell peppers red, yellow, and green, seeds removed and chopped
  • 1.5 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons Brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Cumin
  • 1 tablespoon Cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon Oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
  • 28 ounces No-salt-added diced tomatoes with juice
  • 6 ounces No-salt-added tomato paste
  • 15 ounces No-salt-added kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 15 ounces No-salt-added black beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 Limes juiced
  • ¼ cup Fresh cilantro chopped, optional
  • 1 cup No-salt-added beef or chicken broth optional, for thinning

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven or large pot 6-quart or larger
  • 1 Wooden spoon or spatula
  • 1 Slotted spoon
  • 1 Cutting board
  • 1 Sharp knife

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon.
  2. Brown the beef for 8 to 10 minutes until no pink remains and it's fully cooked. With a slotted spoon, remove the cooked meat to a separate bowl and set aside, leaving any rendered fat in the pot.
  3. Add the chopped onion and celery to the pot. Sauté for 7 to 8 minutes until soft and translucent.
  4. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and chopped bell peppers. Sauté for 3 more minutes until the peppers begin to soften slightly.
  5. Add the chili powder, brown sugar, cumin, cocoa powder, oregano, and smoked paprika to the pot. Stir well and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Stir in the no-salt-added tomato paste and the diced tomatoes with their juices, mixing thoroughly.
  7. Return the cooked ground beef to the pot, along with the drained and rinsed kidney beans and black beans.
  8. Stir everything well to combine. Bring the chili to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 1 hour, or until the vegetables are tender and flavors have melded.
  9. Once the chili has simmered, stir in the fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro (if using).
  10. Serve hot with your favorite low-sodium toppings, such as fresh jalapeños or extra cilantro.

Notes

For a vegetarian option, replace ground beef with an extra can of beans or cooked lentils.
If your chili becomes too thick while simmering, add a splash of no-salt-added broth or water.
Chili freezes well for up to 3 months; store in airtight containers once completely cooled.