Healthy Lentil Chili
This Healthy Lentil Chili recipe is packed full of whole foods, plant-based proteins, and flavor. You won't even miss the meat! Lentil chili is a hearty vegan/vegetarian recipe, and perfect for a cold winter day.
Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 large red bell pepper chopped
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 4 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 pound bag of brown lentils about 2 1/4 cups
- 2 cans diced tomatoes with the juice 14.5 ounce, fire-roasted if you can find them
- 6-8 cups vegetable stock
- ⅓ cup fresh chopped cilantro
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: tortilla chips avocado, hot sauce, jalapeños
Instructions
- Add the oil to a large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the onions and bell pepper and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika, and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the diced tomatoes, 6 cups of vegetable stock, and dry lentils, and stir to combine. Bring the mixture up to a boil. Reduce the heat to low or medium-low and allow it to gently simmer. Cook, covered, until the lentils are soft and cooked through, stirring often, about 30 minutes.
- When the lentils are cooked, place a few cups of the cooked lentil mixture in your blender or food processor (or use an immersion blender) and blend. Add the blended mixture back to the pot and stir to combine. Adjust the thickness of your chili to your liking with additional vegetable stock as needed. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Stir in cilantro and serve.
Notes
- Before cooking, rinse lentils thoroughly under cold water and check for any small stones or debris. This ensures they cook evenly and are clean.
- Cooking the onions, bell peppers, and garlic until tender and fragrant enhances the depth of flavor in your chili. Don't rush this step.
- If the chili is too thick, add more vegetable stock. If it's too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce.
- Taste the chili before serving and adjust the salt, pepper, and spices as needed. A squeeze of lime juice can brighten up the flavors
Nutrition
Serving: 1 of 8 servings | Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 875mg | Potassium: 843mg | Fiber: 20g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1631IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 6mg
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