Hearty Vegetarian Chili
Our Hearty Vegetarian Chili is so rich and flavorful that it’s hard to believe it is vegetarian! Packed with green lentils, 3 types of beans, vegetables, and lots of flavorful spices, this vegetarian chili will leave you completely satisfied for hours. We used a few secret ingredients to make our chili taste extra special.
Our easy to make Hearty Vegetarian Chili can be made ahead and easily feed a crowd, making it great for casual get togethers or game day. Put together a variety of garnishes and let your guests customize their own chili. Don’t be surprised if this is the best vegetarian chili you have ever made! Want to learn more about how you can serve and Pimp Our Recipe? Read more about this in our Blog Comments & Tips.
Sign up for a free subscription to our monthly newsletter and access to exclusive content.
To browse some of our favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and pantry items, visit our Recommended Products page.
RECIPE
(Check out our Step by Step Instructions below the recipe card.)
Recipe updated as of 3/22/22
Step by Step Instructions
PREPARATION
Organize all your tools and ingredients before you begin. Getting all your ingredients in one place at the beginning will shorten your prep time.
STEP 1
Pick through (see Note below), sort, rinse, and drain 1 cup uncooked green lentils, and set aside. Drain and rinse 30 ounces low sodium organic black beans (2 cans), 15 ounces low sodium organic kidney beans (1 can), and 15 ounces low sodium organic great northern beans (1 can), and set aside.
Note: When picking through lentils, you are looking for stones or other irregular items that may have been mistakenly packaged along with the lentils. Sort the good from the bad, and discard anything that doesn't look like a lentil.
STEP 2
Chop 2 medium white onions in a medium dice, and set aside. Remove seeds and dice 2 medium red bell peppers, and set aside. Peel and chop 1 large carrot in a medium dice, and set aside. Mince 8 garlic cloves, and set aside.
Note: Dice onions, red bell peppers, and carrots into same sized dice for even cooking. Using a sharp 8 inch Chef’s Knife will help you get the job done easily!
STEP 3
Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a Heavy Duty Dutch Oven (9.5 quarts), and heat on medium heat. Add diced onions, carrots, and red peppers, and sauté until softened (about 7-8 minutes - do not brown). Add garlic, and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute). Add minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).
Note: This heat resistant Silicone Spatula helps to easily pick up all those brown bits in the corners!
STEP 4
Add 7-8 cups vegetable stock (see Notes below), 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 15 ounces crushed tomatoes (1 can), 15 ounces diced fire roasted tomatoes with medium green chiles (1 can), and 15 ounces diced fire roasted tomatoes (1 can). Add 8 ounces green diced chiles (canned). Then add all drained and rinsed green lentils and beans (i.e., black beans, kidney beans, and great northern beans), and stir to combine.
Note: We prefer using vegetable stock instead of vegetable broth, as it gives this chili a deeper, richer flavor. We like Simple Truth Organics Vegetable Stock Fat Free, which can be found online or at most Ralph’s or Kroger grocery market chains nationwide.
For a Thicker Chili: Use a maximum of 7 cups total of liquid. For example, use only 6 cups of vegetable stock, plus 1 cup of beer. If you are not using beer in this recipe, just omit the beer and use a total of 7 cups of vegetable stock. You can always add more liquid later in the cooking process, if needed. Or you can add one additional can of great northern beans or kidney beans for an even more hearty chili.
STEP 5a
Add 1 cup blonde ale or beer (optional - see Alcohol-Free & Gluten-Free note below), 2 tablespoons ancho chili powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (see For a Milder or Spicier Chili note below), 2 teaspoons dried oregano, and ½ teaspoon onion powder, stir to combine, and bring to a simmer.
Alcohol-Free & Gluten-Free: Although beer is an optional ingredient, we feel it gives this recipe great flavor. If you prefer to not use alcohol or make this recipe gluten-free, just omit the beer and use a total of 8 cups of vegetable stock for the liquid.
For a Milder or Spicier Chili: This chili has a mildly spicy flavor. For a much milder flavor, reduce cayenne pepper to ¼ teaspoon (or less to taste). For a spicier flavor, increase cayenne pepper to ¾ to 1 teaspoon (or more to taste).
STEP 5b
Slowly whisk in ½ cup Masa Harina (whisking continuously and breaking up any lumps). Once masa is combined and chili is simmering, reduce heat to low heat, cover, and continue to simmer for about 40 to 50 minutes. When lentils are cooked and chili has reduced a bit, season with kosher salt and pepper to taste.
Note: Masa Harina is stone-ground corn flour. It’s gluten-free and finely ground, similar to the texture of wheat flour.
SERVING
The base recipe for our Hearty Vegetarian Chili is vegan and dairy-free. It is healthy and purely delicious with just fresh cilantro. All garnishes are optional, but definitely delicious!
We recommend serving with a variety of garnishes, such as shredded Monterey jack cheese and sharp cheddar cheese, thinly sliced green onions, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and chopped avocado. See our Serving Suggestions below for ideas.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Vegan Option: Fully loaded version with fresh cilantro, green onions, chopped avocado, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice (photo not shown).
Vegetarian Option 1: Simply yummy and cheesy with freshly shredded Monterey jack cheese (or sharp cheddar cheese).
Vegetarian Option 2: Simple and creamy with freshly shredded Monterey jack cheese, thinly sliced green onions, and Greek yogurt (or sour cream).
Vegetarian Option 3: Our favorite version is fully loaded with freshly shredded Monterey jack cheese, thinly sliced green onions, and Greek yogurt (or sour cream), chopped avocado, fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and a lime wedge as a pretty garnish!
Notes:
For great tips on how to make this recipe, see our “5 tips to making a great Hearty Vegetarian Chili” in our Blog Comments & Tips section below.
Make ahead recipe up to 2 days in advance. Store refrigerated for up to 3 to 4 days.
Makes 12 servings.
VIDEO
How to Make the Best Hearty Vegetarian Chili Ever!
Blog Comments & Tips
A Nutritious, Hearty & Healthy Chili!
Our Hearty Vegetarian Chili may have a lot of ingredients, but it couldn’t be any easier to make. The effort is minimal, and the results are fantastic! This healthy chili is super hearty and full of protein and fiber.
Made with green lentils and three types of beans, this chili proudly boasts 17 grams of protein, and 17 grams of fiber per serving. Add some of our suggested garnishes to boost the protein, calcium, and healthy fats in this dish.
In addition to protein and fiber, pulses (i.e., lentils) and beans are full of B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, and potassium. Just 1 cup of cooked lentils contain 21% of the daily value (DV) of Vitamin B6, and 37% of the DV of Iron!! Lentils are also a great meat alternative, which is why they are perfect in this hearty chili recipe.
Did you know that lentils are made up of more than 25% protein?!
And, let’s not forget the nutritional benefits of beans in this recipe, which include tons of vitamins and antioxidants. Beans are very high in amino acids, which are important in protein. Combined with rice, nuts, or cheese, beans become a complete source of protein. So, unless you are dairy free or vegan, don’t be afraid to garnish our Hearty Vegetarian Chili with some shredded cheese and Greek yogurt to get the most nutritional value out of this meal.
Some of these may be little known facts, but they are certainly an incentive to add more legumes (i.e., pulses and beans) to your diet.
Now you have the recipe, ingredients, and equipment, but how do you ensure the best results from our recipe?
Our 5 tips to making a great Hearty Vegetarian Chili:
Use high quality and organic ingredients.
Use a Large Heavy Duty Dutch Oven for this recipe that can be transferred from high-heat stovetop cooking to oven cooking.
Use organic and low sodium canned beans. Make sure you rinse your canned beans thoroughly to cut down on the sodium in this recipe. It’s better to add salt at the end of the cooking process, then to end up with an overly salted chili before you season it!
Don’t skip the Masa Harina, as it will thicken the chili and give it a distinctive Southwestern flavor! If you struggle with get it to whisk smoothly, just add a small amount (½ cup to 1 cup) of the hot liquid from the chili into a small bowl, and whisk in the Masa Harina. Once it’s smooth, whisk it into the pot of chili!
Do not boil the chili, or it will break down the canned beans. Make sure you simmer this chili low and slow. It’s okay if you need to cook it longer, as long as it’s on a low simmer.
Have any dietary preferences that won’t quite work with our recipe? It’s time to customize and Pimp Our Recipe.
Pimp Our Recipe:
Make it Spicy: This chili has a mildly spicy flavor. For a much spicier flavor, increase cayenne pepper to ¾ to 1 teaspoon (or more to taste).
Make it Milder: Although this chili does have some heat to it, it’s not overpowering. However, if you like a milder flavor, reduce cayenne pepper to ¼ teaspoon.
Make it Gluten Free: Omit the blonde ale (or beer) in this recipe to make it gluten-free, and replace with a total of 8 cups of vegetable stock.
Make it Dairy Free: This recipe is already dairy-free & vegan. If you decide to use some of the suggested garnishes, just omit the Greek yogurt (or sour cream), and the shredded cheese. Or, you can substitute with your favorite non-dairy shredded cheese.
Make it Thicker: Use a maximum of 7 cups total of liquid. For example, use only 6 cups of vegetable stock, plus 1 cup of beer. If you are not using beer in this recipe, then omit the beer and use a total of 7 cups of vegetable stock. You can always add more liquid later in the cooking process, if needed. Or you can add one additional can of great northern beans or kidney beans for an even more hearty chili.
Make it Faster: Replace the dried green lentils with 2 cups of cooked lentils, and reduce final simmering time to about 30 minutes.
Add Meat Protein: As a healthy protein, season and sauté ground turkey breast, then add it to the chili during the last 10 minutes of cooking. If serving guests with different dietary needs, offer the sautéed turkey meat on the side as an optional “topping,” and let guests add their own fixings to customize the chili to their individual tastes.
Enjoy and let us know what you think by commenting below, rating our recipes, subscribing, following, and liking us on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube! Don’t forget to subscribe to get updates on new recipes and tips & tricks.
Happy Cooking!
Mich
Footnote: Remember to thoroughly rinse and drain your canned beans to make sure your chili doesn’t end up overly salty.
Adapted from the Can’t-Believe-It’s-Vegetarian Chili recipe by Gimme Some Oven. We have tweaked this already wonderful recipe and added a lot more flavor and texture to this chili. Our Hearty Vegetarian Chili is packed full of flavor, it’s thick and hearty, and you won’t miss the meat!
Every editorial product is independently selected. We may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you purchase products via our links. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.
