Description
This Vegan Lentil Chili Recipe is a hearty, cozy one-pot meal made with lentils, black beans, tomatoes, and warm spices. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or a comforting plant-based dinner everyone will love.
Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup chili powder
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3 cups vegetable broth
1 1/4 cups dry brown or green lentils
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, minced
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened.
Add red bell pepper and cook for 2 minutes.
Stir in garlic, chili powder, oregano, cumin, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and salt. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add tomato paste and cook for 1 additional minute.
Stir in vegetable broth, lentils, and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to a simmer, partially cover, and cook for 30–35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender.
Stir in black beans and cook for 5 minutes.
Remove from heat, stir in cilantro, and serve warm.
Notes
Chili thickens as it sits—add broth if needed.
Tastes even better the next day.
Brown or green lentils work best for texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 15
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg