My Easy Lentil Chili recipe is a quick weeknight meal for when you need to get warm, cozy, and well fed in 30 minutes. This is one plant based chili that actually satisfies. And yes, those are Fritos on top…you’re welcome.
Lentils replace the meat in this healthy plant based chili recipe
Did you know that beans are a great substitute for meat? They contain lots of protein, and they provide a chewy texture that mimics meat. The lentils in this chili give a ground beef vibe, for sure. And beans can take on many different flavor profiles, so they work well in soups, chilis, stews, and curries.
Want to live longer? Eat morebeans!
- That’s right, beans have been identified as a common theme in so many of the diets of the longest lived people on earth.
Plant based eating doesn’t have to mean lab created meat protein or other artificial ingredients.
I use dried beans in my cooking to transition over to more meatless meals. And in my experience ingredients like beans (and mushrooms, too) help bridge the gap for people who are more attached to the meat in their diet (ahem, my husband.) If you build in enough flavor into your lentil chili, no one will even notice the meat is gone.
Lentils cook quickly, making them ideal for weeknight meals
Topping ideas for lentil chili
Like with so many meals, the toppings add a lot to the fun and flavor of this meal.
- avocado (drizzle with lemon juice to prevent it from browning.)
- sour cream (also yogurt, or Mexican crema.)
- jalapeños, finely minced
- green onions, sliced
- cilantro leaves
- Fritos or other corn chips give this healthy meal a little edge.
- shredded cheese
- sliced olives
More delicious ways to incorporate healthy beans into your menu~
- Italian White Bean Soup with Sausage Meatballs
- Chicken Thighs with White Beans and Wilted Greens
- Mediterranean Bean Salad
- Cowboy Caviar
Easy Lentil Chili
Easy Lentil Chili is a quick weeknight meal for when you need to get warm, cozy, and well fed in 30 minutes. This is one plant based chili that actually satisfies. And yes, those are Fritos on top...you're welcome.
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Prep Time:5 minutes minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes minutes
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounce can fire roasted crushed tomatoes
- 12 ounce bottle of your favorite beer, I used Corona
- 15 ounces vegetable, chicken, or beef stock
- 1 1/4 cups small French lentils, rinsed
- 1 or 2 canned chilies in adobo sauce, chopped (use the whole can if you like the heat)
- 1 heaped Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 heaped Tablespoon ground cumin
- salt and fresh cracked black pepper
- juice of 1 lime, optional
Instructions
Saute the onions and garlic in the olive oil in a large stock pot. Cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes, until the onions are softened.
Add the canned tomatoes, beer, stock, lentils, chilies, chili powder, and cumin to the pot and combine well. Add a teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat way down and gently simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. I like to cover the pot but you can leave it off for a thicker chili.
Taste the chili and add more salt if you like. Add the lime juice if using. Serve with the toppings of your choice.
Notes
If you use a different variety of lentils, you cooking time may be shorter. I recommend French lentils because they keep their shape and don't turn to mush like regular lentils do.
Sometimes I like to add a jar of roasted red peppers, pureed in the food processor, to the chili. This adds another layer of flavor.
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Course: 30 minute dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beans, chili, easy, healthy, lentils, meatless, plant based, Reader's Recipes, stew, vegan, vegetarian
Nutrition
Calories: 191 kcal · Carbohydrates: 28 g · Protein: 10 g · Fat: 4 g · Saturated Fat: 1 g · Sodium: 348 mg · Potassium: 612 mg · Fiber: 11 g · Sugar: 6 g · Vitamin A: 338 IU · Vitamin C: 12 mg · Calcium: 58 mg · Iron: 4 mg
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although The View from Great Island attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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FAQs
Even better, soak them overnight.
If you're using dried beans or lentils, soaking them in cold water does the same thing that rinsing does, but because they are dry and uncooked, it takes a little longer to get the same effect. Aim to soak your beans or lentils for at least 4 hours, and preferably overnight.
How do I get the most out of my lentils? ›
Throw in a lot of garlic! Don't forget to add a big pinch of salt (about 1⁄4 teaspoon per serving, or 3⁄4 teaspoon for 1 cup of dried lentils) and a glug of olive oil or a pat of butter for richness. Hot tip: you can also cook the lentils in broth instead of water for more robust flavor.
What can you put in chili to make it less acidic? ›
Add A Little Sweet: adding a naturally sweet ingredient will help balance the acidity and add a delicious flavor aspect. Consider using sugar (brown sugar is best due to it dissolving nicely), molasses, honey. For a naturally sweet veggie addition try shredded sweet carrots, sweet potato, or even canned pumpkin.
What not to put in chili? ›
Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.
What is the most important spice in chili? ›
Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.
Which color lentil is healthiest? ›
Black Lentils (Beluga lentils)
Thanks to the robust flavor, these lentils pair well with meaty veggies and marinated proteins like mushrooms, tofu, and seitan. Best of all, black lentils are the most nutritious variety of lentils, boasting the highest amount of protein, plus high levels of calcium, potassium, and iron.
Do lentils clean your gut? ›
Lentils are rich in a type of fiber that helps your digestive system work as it should and fuels good bacteria in your gut. Fiber may also help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. “Fiber plays an important role in regulating our bowels and protecting the immune system,” says Homan.
How to stop lentils from giving you gas? ›
Soak lentils before cooking them to minimize the gas they might cause. The soaking process will help get rid of some of the oligosaccharides, like raffinose that can make you feel gassy and bloated.
What makes lentils taste better? ›
Add some salt, maybe a bay leaf, and maybe a clove of garlic (peeled but left whole). Some recipes will warn you to never add salt to beans or lentils while they're cooking (they say it'll prevent them from cooking through), but it's simply not true! Salt brings out their best.
What pairs well with lentils? ›
If you have a few root vegetables hanging out in your fridge, those are also great with lentils, like in this warm lentil and root vegetable salad with parsnips and carrots. Lentils are particularly nice with cheese, as in this grilled halloumi and lentil salad.
If you don't want dry, hard lentils, make sure to keep a little liquid in the pot! You can always add a little more if the water is evaporating faster than they cook. Skip the soak. Lentils definitely don't need any soaking before they're cooked.
What gives chili the best flavor? ›
Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.
Why put vinegar in chili? ›
With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.
Why put baking soda in chili? ›
They suggested briefly soaking meat in a solution of baking soda and water to raise the pH on the meat's surface, making the proteins better able to attract more water and hold onto it during cooking.
What makes can chili taste better? ›
Professional chefs shared their favorite ways to turn a can of chili into a tastier option. Cocoa, beer, and cinnamon are ingredients that'll boost the flavor of your dish. Fresh toppings are an easy way to add new flavor and texture to the premade meal.
What is the secret to competition chili? ›
Additional Depth of Flavor
Ingredients like tomato paste, cinnamon, coffee and liquid smoke can all add flavor hints that will make your chili cook-off entry unique. Roast your vegetables and use broth or beer instead of water for even more flavor in your pot.
How to make chili taste homemade? ›
“If there's one thing you have to do with any canned chili, it would be adding fresh chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and jalapeños. Maybe even some pickled jalapeños. And be sure to dice it all up finely.” As for presentation? “Serve the chili out of a nice pot next to all the fresh toppings on display.
