Lentil Chili

This vegan lentil chili recipe is quick, easy, and vegan meaty. Loaded with vegetables and beans, this thick and hearty lentil chili is the perfect dish for a chilly evening. And it only takes 20 minutes in one pan!

It's chili season when the weather cools, and the wind starts blowing. At my house, chili is a staple. Today, I created a vegan lentil chili recipe that disappeared in minutes. Even though my lentil chili recipe tastes like thick, meaty chili, the lentils and black beans create the texture.

Jump to:

• Vegan Lentil Chili Ingredients
• Lenti Chili Ingredient Substitutions
• How to Make the Chili Recipe
• Crock Pot/Slow Cooker Option 
• Chili Topping Suggestions
• What to Serve with Lentil Chili
• Recipe FAQs
• Tips
• Other Great Vegan Recipes to Try!
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Reviews

Everyone has their twist on chili. I make a variety of different chili recipes to mix it up. Lentil chili, however, goes on the top of the chili list because the texture and level of spice pleased my whole crew! I can usually gauge how much my family likes the food I make by the number of leftovers, and tonight, there wasn't a drop of chili left in the pot. 

Vegan Lentil Chili Ingredients

First, I always buy prepared lentils from Trader Joe's every time I shop there. Of course, you can prepare your own lentils for lentil chili, but this saves a step in the cooking process. 

• White Onion: I like the strong flavor of white onion in chili recipes.
• Garlic: Garlic is a must in all chili recipes. The more the merrier.
• Zucchini: Zucchini s in season and provides some green inside the chili. It also gives it a fresh green addition.
• Jalapeno: The jalapeno is added in slices as a garnish and served raw. However, they can be diced and added to the lentil chili recipe.
• Brown Lentils: I like using Trader Joe's Steamed Prepared lentils.
• Diced Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: I like fire-roasted tomatoes because of their deep flavor.
• Vegetable Broth: I buy organic vegetable broth in bulk at Costco because I use it so often.
• Soy Sauce: Soy sauce supplies an umami flavor to the chili recipe.
• Black Beans: The antioxidants, fiber, protein, and carbohydrates in black beans make them nutritionally powerful. A diet rich in beans can reduce your risk of several serious medical conditions and help your body process calories more effectively.
• Avocado: The avocado is optional. I use it as a garnish for the chili to provide a creamy, cooling agent on top of the hot lentil chili.
• Corn: I used corn in a can, but when in season, I prefer to grill corn on the cob.
• Chili Seasoning Mix: I made my own chili seasoning blend included in the recipe.
• Maple Syrup: Maple syrup supplies a little sweetness to cut the heat in the chili.
• Hatch Green Chilies: I like mild peppers that are canned; you can find them in small cans in the Mexican food section of the grocery store.
• Beer: I used an Ale beer my husband was drinking. Beer is an essential ingredient in making a good chili. You don't have to be a beer drinker to use it in chili. It adds flavor and texture to the chili. Beer will impart sugars and malty flavors to the chili you won't find with other ingredients.

Lenti Chili Ingredient Substitutions

• Yellow or red onion are suitable substitutes if the white onion isn't available.
• Although I prefer fresh garlic cloves, one clove of garlic equals about ⅛th of a teaspoon of garlic powder – not much, so it's worth starting small and tasting as you go!
• Use a yellow summer squash instead of zucchini.
• If you are sensitive to spice, skip the jalapeno or choose a milder pepper. It is much milder if the seeds and veins are removed from a jalapeno. However, always use gloves when removing the seeds and veins from jalapeno peppers to avoid contact burns.
• Try pinto beans instead of black beans. Although a little larger, pinto beans are hearty and sturdy like black beans.
• Use canned, frozen, or fresh corn. If using frozen corn, do not cook it first.
• Buy a prepared chili seasoning packet as a shortcut to making your own chili seasoning mix.
• Agave nectar or date syrup replaces maple syrup in recipes.
• You can use vegetable broth, ginger ale, white grape juice, or white wine if you don't have or don't like to add beer to chili.

How to Make the Chili Recipe

• To prepare the lentil chili recipe, saute the garlic, onions, and zucchini until the onions are translucent.
• Then, add the prepared lentils and the remaining ingredients. 

• Once all the ingredients are combined in one pot, stir together and bring to a boil.
• Next, reduce to simmer, cover, and continue cooking for 20 minutes. 

Another option is to cook the lentil chili recipe in the crockpot instead. I love my crockpot, so often I use my crockpot especially when I plan to be gone all day. 

Crock Pot/Slow Cooker Option 

Cooking lentil chili in a crockpot is just as easy as it is on the stovetop. The choice of time, however, is up to you. 

• Place all the ingredients in the base of the crockpot, stir, and cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 8-10 hours. 

Chili Topping Suggestions

Once prepared, I add a little extra love to my lentil chili recipe. Chopped avocado, jalapeno, and tomatoes make for a beautiful garnish. 

• Vegan Sour Cream
• Pico de Gallo Recipe
• Fruit Salsa Recipe
• Tomatillo Salsa
• Guacamole
• Diced red onion
• Cilantro
• Mexican Corn Salad
• Charred Corn Salad

What to Serve with Lentil Chili

Eat vegan lentil chili as an entree or serve in a cup on the side. I love to serve it with bread, salad, or potatoes.

• Vegan Oil-Free Cornbread Recipe
• Corn Fritters
• Mini Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins
• Mexican Coleslaw Recipe
• Chopped Salad
• Corn Salad
• Chili and Lime Roasted Red Potatoes

Recipe FAQs

Tips

• I actually like to make chili the day before eating it because the flavors enhance in the refrigerator overnight.
• When working with jalapenos, always wear gloves to avoid contact burns. If you have contact lenses, you will be sorry if you don't.
• When serving the lentil chili recipe, add the avocado as a garnish right before serving, so it doesn't turn brown.
• Chili freezes well. I like to use Super Cubes to freeze individual servings.
• If you love chili, like my family, I suggest doubling the batch and freezing it to save time later.
• Using a vegetable chopper reduces prep time in half.

Try this vegan lentil chili recipe for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Make it in 1-pot in under 20 minutes!

Other Great Vegan Recipes to Try!

If you love this vegan lentil chili recipe, give us a 5-star review and comment below. We would love to hear from you!

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