Total time: 6 hours 30 minutes
Published: August 28, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Easy Vegetarian Chili This recipe is a hearty, comforting dish packed with beans, vegetables, and strong, flavorful spices. Just throw everything in the slow cooker and you’ve got a delicious, satisfying meal ready to enjoy in the evening!
Try more of my favorite comfort food recipes, like Instant Chili, Instant Pot White Chili with Chicken, Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Chicken Chili, Vegetarian Enchiladasand the The Best Super Moist Cornbread.
Why this recipe works
Abundant and comfortingWho said chili needed meat? Seriously, this easy vegetarian chili recipe is just as good as any chili with meat, if not better. The combination of protein-rich, starchy beans with hearty sweet potatoes and brightly colored bell peppers combine to be nutritious and utterly satisfying.
No-fuss slow cooker recipe:I would definitely consider this one of my go-to easy dinner recipes. It’s so easy to prep and cook in the slow cooker and have it ready for dinner once everyone gathers around the table. Since there’s no meat to prepare, you just have to dice up some veggies and then let the slow cooker do the rest of the work.
Ingredients
- Onion:I usually use brown onions, but you can use white onions here too.
- Pimento:Use the color of bell pepper that you like best! Green is more bitter and the other colors are sweeter.
- Sweet potato:Sweet potato adds an extra nutritional and nutritious touch to the chili.
- Beans:Here I used a combination of kidney beans and black beans. You can use any beans you like, but avoid black-eyed peas as they don’t do well in a slow cooker.
- Fire Roasted TomatoesFire roasted tomatoes add an extra layer of smoky flavor!
- Tomato paste:For a deeper tomato flavor.
- Spices:Use Cajun seasoning, cumin, salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and a little cocoa powder to give this chili the perfect kick! The cocoa powder adds depth to the flavor and doesn’t add a chocolatey flavor.
- CoveragesServe Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili with your favorite toppings like sour cream, chopped cilantro, avocado, salsa, shredded cheese, or tortilla chips!
Here we explain how to do it
Step by step instructions
- Brown the vegetables:Heat the oil in the bottom of a slow cooker over medium-high heat if you have a brown-and-stew model, or in a large skillet. Add the onions and bell peppers and cook until the onions begin to soften. (photos 1-2)
- Add the sweet potatoand continue cooking until the onions have some color and the peppers and sweet potato have begun to soften. (photos 3-4)
- Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker if you are using a different pan. (photo 5)
- Combine additional ingredients:Stir in the beans, tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, tomato paste, cocoa powder, salt and spices. Wash off any leftover tomato juices from the can and add to the chili with just 1/4 cup water. If you have opened vegetable broth in the refrigerator, use that instead. (photos 6-7)
- Cook:Cook for 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low. Check to see if more salt is needed before serving with your favorite toppings and enjoy! (photo 8)
Expert advice
- You can use different beans into your easy vegetarian chili, like pinto beans or white beans!
- If you can’t find it or don’t have it If you have fire-roasted tomatoes on hand, you can use diced canned tomatoes instead.
- Add extra vegetables! Customize this chili recipe and add vegetables or grains of your choice. You can add diced carrots or even some quinoa for extra protein and energy.
- Serve your sweet potato chili with Moist Cornbread Muffins or some tortilla chips with baked guacamole!
Frequently Asked Questions
My best vegetarian chili includes Cajun seasoning, which gives it a spicy kick. It’s not too spicy and can be enjoyed by the whole family. If you like it spicier, you can add a little more cayenne pepper or just serve it with fresh jalapeno slices.
This vegetarian chili recipe keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It also freezes well and can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and serving.
More vegetarian recipes to try
Did you make this recipe? FANTASTIC. Please rate the recipe below and be sure to tag me on social media when you share a photo on social media – I love seeing what you’re up to in the kitchen!
Easy Vegetarian Chili
This Easy Vegetarian Chili This recipe is a hearty, comforting dish packed with beans, vegetables, and strong, flavorful spices. Just throw everything in the slow cooker and you’ve got a delicious, satisfying meal ready to enjoy in the evening!
Servings: 6 portions
Instructions
-
Heat the oil in the bottom of the slow cooker over medium-high heat if you have a sear-and-stew model, or in a large skillet. Add the onions and bell peppers and cook until the onions begin to soften.
-
Add the sweet potato and continue cooking until the onions have some color and the peppers and sweet potato have begun to soften.
-
Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker if you are using a different pan.
-
Stir in the beans, tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, tomato paste, cocoa powder, salt and spices. Wash off any leftover tomato juices from the can and add to the chili with just 1/4 cup water. (If you have opened vegetable broth in the refrigerator, use that instead.)
-
Cook for 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low. Check to see if more salt is needed before serving.
Grades
Storage: This chili keeps in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and freezes well in portions for up to 3 months.
Gluten free: This recipe can easily be made gluten-free by simply checking the labels on canned goods and Cajun seasoning.
Nutrition
Calories: 503 kcal, Carbohydrates: 92 gram, Protein: 28 gram, Fat: 5 gram, Saturated fat: 1 gram, Polyunsaturated fat: 2 gram, Monounsaturated fat: 2 gram, Trans fats: 0.01 gram, Sodium: 847 mg, Potassium: 1699 mg, Fiber: 29 gram, Sugar: 10 gram, Vitamin A: 14492 International Union, Vitamin C: 134 mg, Calcium: 131 mg, Iron: 9 mg
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.