There is nothing quite like a steaming bowl of chili to bring comfort to a chilly evening or a busy weeknight. For those on a gluten free journey, chili is a fantastic staple because it is naturally robust, filling, and incredibly easy to adapt for celiac disease or gluten-sensitive needs.
This particular version takes things a step further by utilizing a triple-threat of proteins, ground beef, ground pork, and savoury chopped sausage, to create a depth of flavour that is second to none.
Hearty Three Meat Gluten Free Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 lb ground beef extra lean
- 1 lb ground pork extra lean
- 3 sausages chopped
- 1 can kidney beans drained
- 1 can pinto beans drained
- 1 can black beans
- 3 cans crushed tomatoes
- 1-2 medium carrot cubed
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1 cup bell peppers chopped
- 1 cup corn
- 1 cup mushrooms minced
- 2 ½ tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons cumin ground
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper ground
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ground
Instructions
- Add olive oil to a large soup pot and place it over medium-high heat for two minutes.1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Add onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.1 medium onion
- Lower to medium heat, brown meats in soup pot.1 lb ground beef, 1 lb ground pork, 3 sausages
- Add the chili powder, cumin, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne.2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder, 2 tablespoons cumin, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Stir until well combined.
- Turn crock-pot on low heat and transfer meat mixture into crock-pot.
- Add drained & rinsed beans and crushed tomatoes.1 can kidney beans, 1 can pinto beans, 1 can black beans, 3 cans crushed tomatoes
- Add vegetables.1-2 medium carrot, 1 cup celery, 1 cup bell peppers, 1 cup corn, 1 cup mushrooms
- Cook on low for 6-8hrs and serve.
Nutrition Details
Calories –815.86kcal
Recipe Notes
Increase ingredients needed depending on the size of your slower cooker or crockpot.
Drain and rinse all canned beans before use.
Add and remove vegetables however you & your family enjoy!
Did you enjoy this gluten free recipe?
Let us know how it was in the comments below!Why This Recipe Stands Out
What makes a great chili? It’s the balance of heat, the sweetness of the tomatoes, and the earthy richness of the beans. By combining lean ground beef with the fattier, more flavourful ground pork and the spice-infused chunks of sausage, you create a complex texture and flavour profile that avoids the “flat” taste often found in single-meat recipes.
Furthermore, this recipe is a nutrient powerhouse. With three types of beans (kidney, pinto, and black) and a rainbow of vegetables including carrots, celery, bell peppers, and corn, every spoonful is packed with fiber and vitamins. It is a complete meal in a bowl that keeps you satisfied for hours.
Navigating Gluten Free Spices
One of the most important aspects of making chili on a gluten free diet is being vigilant about your spice cabinet. While the ingredients themselves, like cumin and chili powder, are naturally gluten free, many pre-packaged chili seasoning mixes use wheat flour or wheat starch as an anti-caking agent or thickener.
To keep this recipe safe, we recommend using individual certified gluten free spices or a trusted brand like Club House Gluten Free Chili Seasoning Mix. If you prefer a “from scratch” approach, our blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and a touch of cayenne provides that classic smoky heat without any hidden fillers.
Slow Cooker vs. Stovetop
We know life gets busy, so this recipe is designed to be flexible.
- The Slow Cooker Method: This is ideal for those who want to “set it and forget it.” By browning the meats and aromatics first and then letting them simmer on low for 6 to 8 hours, the flavors have ample time to meld together. The carrots and celery soften into the sauce, creating a thick, rich consistency.
- The Stovetop Method: If you’re looking for a meal in under an hour, the stovetop is your friend. After browning the meat and adding your spices and liquids, a 30 to 45-minute simmer on low-medium heat will yield a delicious, vibrant chili.
Customizing Your Bowl
Chili is only as good as its toppings! To keep your meal 100% gluten free, consider these favourites:
- The Classics: Shredded sharp cheddar cheese and a dollop of cool sour cream.
- The Fresh Kick: Diced avocado, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
- The Crunch: Gluten free corn crackers or homemade gluten free cornbread croutons.
- The Heat: Extra jalapeño slices or a dash of your favourite gluten free hot sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Recipe
Is all chili powder gluten free?
Not necessarily. While ground chili peppers are gluten free, some commercial “chili seasoning blends” contain wheat flour as a thickener. Always check the label for “wheat” or “yeast extract,” or look for a certified gluten free label to be safe.
How do I thicken my chili without using flour?
This recipe naturally thickens as it simmers, especially in the slow cooker. However, if you prefer an even thicker consistency, you can mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to create a slurry. Stir this into the boiling chili for two minutes until thickened.
Can I make this chili vegetarian or vegan?
Absolutely. You can replace the meat with a plant-based ground substitute or simply double the amount of beans and add extra hearty vegetables like sweet potatoes or mushrooms. Just ensure your vegetable broth is certified gluten free.
How long does gluten free chili stay fresh in the fridge?
Chili actually tastes better the next day! You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days. It’s a perfect option for meal prepping your weekday lunches.
Can I freeze this recipe for later?
Yes, this chili freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe bags or containers. It will stay fresh for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and warm it up on the stove.
What are the best gluten free sides to serve with chili?
Gluten free cornbread is the most traditional pairing. You can also serve it over a baked potato, with a side of corn tortilla chips, or even over a bowl of steamed white rice.
I never had a homemade chili and this was to die for! I pinned it awhile ago and finally gave it a try. When the cooler temps return it will be made again!
This looks super tasty, and perfect for these somewhat chilly MN Spring days! Thanks for sharing.
excellent chili
Delicious!!!
Looks and smells great so convenient on busy weeknights
My family has NEVER thanked me for making chili for supper… until tonight! They all loved it and had seconds. I will be, for sure, keeping this recipe. (Oh, and this is only the second time I left a recipe comment… it’s that good!)
Tried this recipie and it was super easy and delicious! Thank you for sharing.
This is a great recipe. My husband loved it and he’s a chili snob!
I used fresh garlic and a touch of ancho chili powder and chipotle chili powder. No cayenne.
Will definitely be making this again!!
Thank you very much for sharing, our chili turned out great!
I did steps 1& 2 on the stove top then moved it to the crock pot and added the remaining of the ingredients (including a small diced sweet potato). Left it on low for 3 hours and it was perfect.
The last 5 minutes I added some frozen corn, was delicious!
I love this recipe! It’s so, so easy– for some reason I had it in my head that chili would be difficult to make, but it’s mostly just adding things to a pot and letting it simmer. It tastes exactly how I wanted it to.
Soooooo good. It’s my favorite chili ever
I make chili with this amazing recipe almost every week. My family loves it!
This chili is a hit every time I make it. I don’t always put the kidney beans in, just as good without them.
Delicious! I just made this and it is great. Thanks for including information to let us know when a recipe is freezer friendly.
Lives up to its name!!! Seriously one of the best gluten free chilis I’ve ever made.
This is so delicious! Just doubled the recipe omitting the corn. Still yummy! Will make again. Thanks so much
I have never made chili that I actually like until tonight and I’ve been cooking for 40 years. Thank you so much!
Delicious and a great chili consistency!
I was searching for a good, thick chili recipe. This is it! It’s so full of flavour and even looks delicious.
My favorite simple chili recipe! I vary the beans based on what’s in my pantry. It comes together quickly, and sometimes I double it. It reheats and also freezes beautifully.
Thanks for this- thawing a pound of ground beef now and will make for supper tomorrow! Appreciate all the little tips you give in the description 🙂
Update- just made for supper and this recipe is fantastic! Thank you again for another great recipe. I probably simmer for about 1 and half hours and the flavours really popped- this will be my go to from now on- did the veg chopping the night before and mixed the spices last night too and put in little container/ it came together so quickly!
Can’t remember if I’ve posted a glowing comment about this recipe but I love it. A great way to enhance this recipe is make giant corn muffins with a deep cup silicone muffin tray and put the top half of the muffin on top of your bowl of chilli. Its a lazy, delicious pot-pie like chili bowl.
Served this Christmas Eve – Chili Build-up! Only 1 cup left at the end of the night! I added a little more cumin and brown sugar. Yummm!
Really just so perfect as is and so easy to customize. I made it with Impossible meat and simmered for about an hour.
Comes together easily and it’s so delicious! I added hot sauce to up the heat a bit. I used half a pound of ground beef leftover from another recipe and added an extra can of beans to make up for it. This is a keeper!
Just made it, looks/tastes wonderful, thanks much
It is seriously THE BEST chili I ever had! Very easy to make.
This is the best chili I have ever made. Will definitely be the ONLY recipe I’ll ever need again for chili. Thank you for sharing it.
This recipe was great and approved by my whole family! This includes my husband who hates beans, my very selective 4 year old and and my 3 year old who is willing to try anything but will also just as quickly spit it out if he disagrees with the taste. Everyone, including me, had seconds and left the table with no regrets!
I wanted to have a lot of leftovers to freeze so I doubled the ground beef and 1.5x the seasonings. Everything else remained the same it was perfect in favor and consistency.
I will be saving as a staple in our home for the upcoming fall and winter seasons!
This really is the best beef chili. Thanks for the recipe!
Making this for the seventh or eighth time tonight! Best chili ever, my whole family loves it and I make it over and over!
Absolutely the best!!! Everything goes so well! I just changed ground beef for turkey because we try to cut back on red meats. I added Rotel tomatoes because I thought it needed more spice but it doesn’t. Kids and husband loved it!! Our new go to! Thank you!
This chili was delicious. This will be my go to recipe.
This Chili is delicious! I will definitely be making it again!
I just made a double batch of this recipe 🙂 We’re hosting some families in a couple of weeks. I wanted to try this recipe out and freeze it for later if we liked it. I’m going to make another double batch soon because I think we won’t leave anything from this one It’s delicious, perfectly balanced and the notes really helped. I halved the amount of red chili powder and it still has a bit of a kick (I get my chili powder from India so it’s pretty hot) Thank you so much! This will be a favorite at out home now ❤️❤️❤️
Absolutely delicious. I used slightly less chilli powder. Still nice and spicy. Easy to make too. A winner
I have made this over and over again. I made this for Super Bowl and my friends had multiple servings. One friend took some home and her husband raved about it. This is definitely one of my go-tos. Thank you for this delicious, easy, and nutrient packed recipe! ❤️❤️❤️
Made this tonight and it was a hit with my husbands 3 golf buddies. Made it exactly like the recipe only added a bit more cumin. It was delightful.
I’ve never made chilli myself because I’ve never liked it anytime someone’s made it for me. I just thought I didn’t like chilli. But this recipe was soooo good! So much flavour. Thank you for sharing!
Awesome recipe