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Hearty Vegetarian Chili

Close-up of a delicious vegetarian chili simmering in a skillet, featuring kidney beans, ground meat substitute, and chopped peppers.
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A smoky, flavorful, and easy one-pot vegetarian chili packed with beans and vegetables. Perfect for meal prep and budget-friendly dinners.

Ingredients

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  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 bell peppers (any color), chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, avocado

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add onion and bell peppers and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Stir in garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, and vegetable broth. Stir to combine.
  5. Bring the chili to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. For deeper flavor, simmer for 1 hour.
  6. Stir in frozen corn during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
  7. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  8. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.

Notes

  • For a thicker chili, mash some of the beans against the side of the pot with your spoon before adding the corn, or simmer uncovered for the last 15-20 minutes.
  • This chili freezes well. Let it cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers.
  • To make this in an Instant Pot, sauté the aromatics and spices, then add the remaining ingredients (except corn). Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then natural release for 10 minutes. Stir in corn and serve.
  • This recipe is a great base for meal planning, similar to how meal delivery services offer variety.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/vegetarian-chili/