Nightshade-Free AIP Chili Recipe (Paleo, Whole30) (2024)

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Nightshade-Free AIP chili made with ground turkey, pumpkin puree, ginger, vegetables and more. This bean-less chili recipe is low-inflammatory, easy to prepare, and so comforting!

Nightshade-Free AIP Chili Recipe (Paleo, Whole30) (1)

If you follow an Autoimmune Paleo diet (AIP), or are cognizant of the amount of inflammatory foods you eat, this chili recipe will please you silly!

It has that same comforting, filling essence as regular chili, but is made nightshade-free and bean-less.

This low-inflammatory rendition of chili hits your essential macronutrients and leaves you feeling so pleasantly full.

For anyone who enjoys a clean, home-cooked meal, this AIP chili recipe is fantastic! You don’t need to follow a strict diet like AIP, paleo, or Whole30 in order to enjoy this delicious chili recipe!

It is guaranteed to please all the palates.

So what do we need to do in order to make chili AIP-friendly? WELL…

How to Make Chili AIP-friendly:

Nightshades like chilies, tomatoes, and bell peppers provide a mild heat, tang, and acidity in chili.

In order to replace them and still make a chili that’s nice and thick and flavorful, with the sweet tang, I use pureed pumpkin, ginger, a lot of dried herbs, onion, garlic, lemon juice, and coconut aminos.

When all is cooked together, you still end up with a chili that has a natural sweetness, a tiny kick, big bold flavor, and that tang.

Other ingredients you can use to make an AIP chili are beet puree (for thickness, sweetness, and color), cider vinegar (to mimic the acidity of tomatoes), and nutritional yeast (for cheesy/creamy flavor).

Nightshade-Free AIP Chili Recipe (Paleo, Whole30) (2)

Because beans can be pro-inflammatory and are usually avoided on AIP, Paleo, and Whole30, we replace them with chopped veggies.

I use carrots, zucchini and yellow squash, but you can choose any low-inflammatory (AIP-friendly) vegetable you would like.

So let’s make this recipe!

How to Make Nightshade-Free AIP Chili:

Heat the avocado oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until it has softened, about 5 minutes.

Add the garlic and carrots and continue sautéing another 2 minutes.

Scoot the vegetables off to one side of the pot and add the ground turkey, ginger, oregano, basil, parsley, turmeric, and sea salt. Brown the turkey for 2 to 3 minutes, flip, then brown on the other side for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break up the meat into smaller pieces and stir it into the vegetables.

Add the remaining ingredients, cover the pot and bring to a full boil.

Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook 20 minutes, until the vegetables have reached desired done-ness and the turkey is cooked through.

Serve chili with fresh chopped parsley, chives, and/or your choice of toppings.

Nightshade-Free AIP Chili Recipe (Paleo, Whole30) (3)

Is This Recipe Low-FODMAP?:

As you know, I discuss gut health quite a bit on this site, and the majority of the recipes I make are Low-FODMAP. This recipe is not low-FODMAP due to the onion and garlic.

The onion and garlic are pretty pivotal when it comes to providing flavor to this recipe, since we are already omitting tomatoes, bell peppers, and chilies.

If you follow a Low-FODMAP diet, you may certainly omit the onion and garlic and add something else to replace the tang, such as 2 to 3 tablespoons of dijon mustard (if you don’t follow a strict AIP diet, as mustard is not allowed on AIP), more lemon juice, and/or cider vinegar.

Recipe Adaptations:

  • Make recipe Low-FODMAP by omitting the onion and garlic.
  • Replace the canned pumpkin with two cups mashed butternut squash and/or mashed/pureed beet.
  • Add more onion, garlic, lemon juice, etc to taste.
  • Replace the ground turkey with ground beef, pork or chicken.
  • Add your favorite vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower, celery, parsnips, turnips, celeriac, or bok choy.

More AIP Recipes:

  • AIP Salmon Curry
  • Nighshade-Free AIP Curry
  • Turkey, Beet, and Zucchini Hash
  • Zucchini and Ground Turkey Skillet
  • Instant Pot Beef Stew

Enjoy this big bowl of protein and veggie bliss!

My cookbook, Paleo Power Bowls, is now available! CLICK HERE to check it out. Thank you for your support!

If you make this recipe, please feel free to share a photo and tag @The.Roasted.Root on Instagram!

Nightshade-Free AIP Chili Recipe (Paleo, Whole30) (4)

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4.53 from 151 votes

AIP Chili Recipe

Bean-free chili recipe made without tomatoes, chilies, or bell peppers for a low-inflammatory meal.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: American

Servings: 5 servings

Calories: 335kcal

Author: Julia

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat the coconut oil in a large dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the onion and saute, stirring occasionally, until it has softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and carrots and continue sauteing another 2 minutes.

  • Scoot the vegetables off to one side of the pot and add the ground turkey, ginger, oregano, basil, parsley, turmeric, and sea salt. Brown the turkey for 2 to 3 minutes, flip, then brown on the other side for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break up the meat into smaller pieces and stir it into the vegetables.

  • Add the remaining ingredients, cover the pot and bring to a full boil.

  • Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook 20 minutes, until the vegetables have reached desired done-ness and the turkey is cooked through.

  • Serve chili with fresh chopped parsley, chives, and/or your choice of toppings.

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 5 | Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 15g | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 11g

Nightshade-Free AIP Chili Recipe (Paleo, Whole30) (5)

Nightshade-Free AIP Chili Recipe (Paleo, Whole30) (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat chilli on AIP? ›

This recipe shows you that the answer is yes. Creating AIP/paleo chili without nightshades, beans and seed spices is a challenge but not impossible. This recipe uses a combination of dried herbs and AIP-compliant spices to create a super flavorful base for the chili.

Is chili nightshade? ›

The most common edible nightshades are the tomato, potato, eggplant, bell pepper and chili pepper. Some diets claim that nightshades are inflammatory and should be avoided. This idea is rooted in the fact that nightshades are a large family of plants that contain a chemical compound called alkaloids.

Is Whole30 AIP compliant? ›

Whole30, echoing the principles of the AIP (autoimmune protocol) diet, emphasizes nutrient-dense whole foods and eliminates sugar, alcohol, grains, legumes, soy, dairy, and additives.

Is tamarind paste AIP compliant? ›

Well, yes, it is a pod-like fruit and considered part of the legume family … but when we talk about tamarind in the AIP world, we're just talking about the pulp of the outer pod that's made into tamarind paste – that IS compliant.

Can you eat chili on an anti inflammatory diet? ›

Chili peppers contain natural compounds called capsaicinoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Cayenne and other dried chilies spice up sauces, marinades and rubs. Tip: Chilies can be hot, so start with just a dash or two. When trying a new spice, start small and add more after you've taste-tested your dish.

What spice is not a nightshade? ›

Indian long pepper and Grains of Paradise are two essential ingredients for building your no nightshade kitchen.

Which peppers are not nightshades? ›

These are NOT Nightshades:
  • Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)
  • Green Peppercorns (Piper nigrum)
  • Long Pepper (Piper nigrum)
  • Sichuan Pepper.
  • Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas)
  • Tasmania.
  • White Pepper (Piper nigrum)
  • Yams.

What is a good substitute for nightshades? ›

Best foods to replace nightshade plants

Replace potatoes with sweet potatoes, yams, or cauliflower. Replace eggplants, with portabella or sh*take mushrooms. Replace cayenne and red pepper with cumin, white, and black pepper.

What diet is closest to AIP? ›

The AIP diet resembles the paleo diet, both in the types of foods allowed and avoided, as well as in the phases that comprise it. Due to their similarities, many consider the AIP diet an extension of the paleo diet — though AIP may be seen as a stricter version of it.

Can you have nightshades on whole 30? ›

*Ideally, pastured or 100% grass-fed and organic. Also avoid: all peppers (jalapeno, serrano, etc.); spices in the nightshade family (paprika, cayenne, chili powder, curry, red pepper, etc.); NSAIDs (Advil, aspirin, etc.)

How long should you stay on AIP diet? ›

Depending on your health status and your health goals, you may want to stay in the elimination period for six weeks up to two years. Don't get in a hurry - the longer you focus on healing, the more likely you will be able to reintroduce foods without any setbacks.

Can you eat jicama on an AIP diet? ›

Jicama refers to the edible root of the Mexican turnip or Mexican vine, and it is a secret rockstar starchy vegetable that is completely AIP compliant, paleo, vegan and keto.

Can you eat olives on an AIP diet? ›

AIP Snack Ideas

1. Olives – black, green, or kalamata are fine. Just make sure not to get the green ones with pimentos, as pimentos are not AIP-compliant (they're a nightshade). Also look for cans or jars of olives that are just olives, salt, and water.

Can I eat pickles on AIP? ›

Natural sweeteners like honey, agave and maple syrup. Herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander oregano, salt and black pepper. Fermented foods that are non-dairy-based and non-nightshade-based like sauerkraut, pickles and kimchi.

What condiments can you eat on an AIP diet? ›

Condiments, Sauces, and Dressings
  • Peach Salad Dressing. August 6, 2022 4 comments. ...
  • Coleslaw Dressing. June 7, 2022 2 comments. ...
  • Creamy Dill Dressing. ...
  • Pineapple Salad Dressing. ...
  • Instant Pot Nomato Ketchup. ...
  • Instant Pot Nomato Sauce (AIP/Paleo) ...
  • Caesar Salad Dressing (AIP/Paleo/Whole30/Keto) ...
  • Ranch Dip (AIP/Paleo/Whole30/Keto)

Are red peppers AIP compliant? ›

Also avoid: all peppers (jalapeno, serrano, etc.); spices in the nightshade family (paprika, cayenne, chili powder, curry, red pepper, etc.); NSAIDs (Advil, aspirin, etc.) Consider eliminating coffee, although scientific evidence for this is lacking.

What is a good AIP substitute for bell peppers? ›

Traditional applications: Peppers are used whole (bell peppers, jalapenos) or as seasonings (cayenne, red pepper flakes). How to sub it: Use vegetables such as zucchini and yellow squash instead of bell peppers or eggplant and safe seasonings like ground ginger instead of spicy peppers and pepper-based seasonings.

Are beans OK on AIP? ›

Like grains, beans and lentils also contain anti-nutrients such as lectins and phytates that can irritate an already-inflamed digestive tract. They also contain high amounts of fiber that can irritate some people's intestines. These are foods to avoid on AIP (particularly during elimination phase).

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