Wheat Free, Slow Cooker (Crockpot) Chili

Wheat Free Slow Cooker (Crockpot) Chili

 Don't even think about using those seasoning packets to make chili - first, they are loaded with gluten and other stuff you probably shouldn't be eating, and second, homemade chili is EASY to make if you have a crockpot!  Actually, even if you don't.  Just put these same ingredients in a large pot on low on the stove instead.
I have included beans, I know some diets like Paleo or Primal don't allow beans. Wheat belly does in limited amounts.  If they will be a problem for you - just skip them.  You don't need beans to make a good chili, ask any Texan.  In this recipe they add a total of 60 carbs, 24 of them being fiber.  Each 1 C serving is around 118 calories and 5 net carbs without the beans, or 211 calories with 17 net carbs with the beans - so up to you.

1/2 C dried beans - pinto, white beans, navy beans, black beans or any combination.  Or you can use 1 1/2 C canned beans.
16 ounces canned tomatoes - I can my own from my garden, but store bought canned tomatoes or even fresh tomatoes (around 5, skinned) are fine too
1 - 2 T chopped pickled jalapeno - again, I pickled my own, but ones from the store are fine.  If jalapeno is too hot for you, use a small can of mild chilies - you can use the whole can.
6 oz can tomato paste
1 T dried cumin
2 t chili powder
1 large onion - enough to make at least a Cup of loosely chopped onion
1 T minced garlic
1 T olive oil or butter
1 pound ground meat - either beef or turkey works fine, coarsely ground is best if you can find it.  You can also use loosely chopped beef chuck - just make sure you cook the chili it until the beef falls apart.

If you are using dried beans, cover them with 3 cups water in a crock pot on low all day or overnight.

Chop the onion and brown it in the olive oil or butter.  When it's getting lightly browned, add the garlic and ground meat and brown them.  In the meanwhile, add the tomatoes, jalapeno and tomato paste to the beans (if you are using them) in the slow cooker.  Add the seasonings to the meat, taste and add salt and pepper to taste - be a little heavy handed on the salt if you used dried beans, but not if you used canned beans because they will typically already have plenty of salt.  Add the meat mixture to the tomato mixture.  It's ready to eat at this point if you want, but it will get better the longer it simmers.  You can also start this in the morning and leave it all day on low in the slow cooker to get the best flavor.  Leftovers are great too!