Best Damn Gluten-Free Chili Recipe

If you’re looking for a tried and true, tasty and super simple gluten-free chili, look no further than this recipe. I use only simple, clean and easy-to-find ingredients to make this recipe come alive in your home. This post is sponsored by Crunchmaster and contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosures.

Having a good chili recipe on hand is a must for any home cook. It makes for an easy, nutritious and cozy meal that everyone loves.

And it doesn’t take a lot of effort or know-how in the kitchen to make chili, especially when you have a recipe like this at your fingertips.

Chili is the quintessential meal for watching football on a lazy Sunday afternoon or to enjoy with friends during the Super Bowl. It’s also a great weeknight meal after a long day at work.

I’ve been playing around with different chili recipes for the last few months. You’d think my family would be sick of chili by now, but they love it and have rooted me on in testing recipes and figuring out how to make the best damn gluten-free chili recipe around.

Some of my chili test-recipes were only fair, but after I made this one, my son asked, “When can you make it again?”

Now that is the sign of a good recipe, and one that I can’t wait to share with you.

I’ve partnered with Crunchmaster Crackers to create this fantastic gluten-free chili recipe. The Crunchmaster team knows their sturdy and ultra-crunchy crackers hold up well to a hearty chili.

And the best part yet is that all you need is a few simple ingredients and a little patience for this chili to come together. The longer this chili simmers, the better it is, baby!

Ingredients Needed for Making Chili

You’ll need the following ingredients to make the best gluten-free chili ever. I bet you have most of these ingredients already in your fridge and pantry:

• 1 Tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 3 cups yellow onions, chopped (about 3 medium onions)
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed and diced
• 1 14-ounce can of fire-roasted tomatoes (with juices)
• 1 15-ounce can of tomato sauce
• 2 Tablespoons chili powder
• 1 Tablespoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp regular or smoked paprika
• 1 14-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 14-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup gluten-free beer, beef broth or water

And here’s what you’ll need for the topping:

• 1 package Crunchmaster Crackers*
• 1 cup Mexican-style cheese, shredded
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, diced

*Crunchmaster crackers are perfect for spooning up the chili. No spoon required! These crackers don’t get soggy or break while scooping all the goodies!

How to Make Gluten-Free Chili

This chili comes together in just a few minutes and then simmers on low for hours. In fact, you can prepare the chili in the morning or afternoon and just let it simmer all day long. The flavors will develop the longer it simmers.

Here’s how to make it:

Add 1 tablespoon of avocado oil to a medium Dutch oven (or other heavy-bottomed pot) and heat over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the ground turkey and break it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Cook ground meat until browned (no longer pink).

Add onions, bell pepper and jalapeno pepper to the Dutch oven and cook until the onions are softened, about 7-8 minutes, mixing often.

Add canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, salt, cayenne pepper, paprika and 1 cup of gluten-free beer, beef broth or water. Mix until well combined, gently scraping the bottom of the pan.

Add kidney beans and black beans to the mixture and mix until well combined.

Bring chili to a low simmer, then cover and cook chili for 2 hours or longer to allow the flavors to develop.

Plate the chili into individual serving bowls and top with shredded cheese, green onions, chopped tomatoes, and/or any other topping that sounds good to you like cilantro, sour cream, sliced jalapenos, olives and more! Serve with Crunchmaster crackers.

Swaps, FAQs and Troubleshooting

Can I use ground beef instead of ground turkey? Yes, you can use ground beef instead of ground turkey. You may want to drain the beef fat after cooking the meat and before adding the onions and peppers to avoid a greasy end result.

Beer Swap? I love using gluten-free beer as the “broth”, but you could also use beef broth or just water. Each liquid ingredient provides a unique, distinct flavor. In all honesty, I love using beer, but you can use what you have on hand. See my list of gluten-free beer recommendations.

Want More Spice? If you like your chili on the spicy side, add 1 tsp of red pepper flakes when you add the other seasonings. It will definitely satisfy the spicy food lovers in your life.

If the chili is watery after cooking, add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water) to the chili and turn the heat up until the mixture lightly boils. Mix often as the chili thickens.

Is It Dairy Free? Yes, this chili recipe is also dairy free. Please note that when making it dairy free, avoid adding cheese and sour cream toppings.

Where Can I Find Crunchmaster Crackers? You can find Crunchmaster crackers on Amazon or at most local grocery stores including Kroger, Albertsons/Safeway, Sprouts, Target, Walmart and more. Be sure to check the Crunchmaster Store Locator to find a location near you.