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Best Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili – Simple and Delicious Recipe

This Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili is a perfect meal for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. Packed with beans, tomatoes, and spices, it’s hearty and full of flavor. Plus, it’s super easy to make. Just toss the ingredients into your slow cooker and let it do the work!

Whether you're meal prepping for the week or feeding a crowd, this chili is a versatile dish that everyone will love. It’s naturally vegetarian, and you can even make it vegan by skipping the cheese topping. Serve it with cornbread or over rice for a satisfying meal that’s both nutritious and comforting.

What Makes This Recipe So Good?

  • Effortless Cooking – Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it do all the work.
  • Hearty and Filling – Packed with beans, veggies, and spices, it’s a satisfying meal.
  • Customizable – Easily adapt the recipe to be vegan, or adjust the spice level to your liking.
  • Great for Meal Prep – Perfect for making ahead, and the flavors only get better the next day.
  • Healthy and Nutritious – Full of plant-based protein and fiber from the beans and vegetables.
  • Crowd-Pleaser – A versatile dish that everyone, including vegetarians and non-vegetarians, will enjoy.
  • Freezes Well – Make a big batch and freeze the leftovers for an easy meal later.

Key Ingredients

  • Beans – A mix of kidney beans, black beans, or pinto beans for protein and texture.
  • Diced Tomatoes – Canned or fresh, they add a rich, savory base to the chili.
  • Onions – Adds depth and sweetness to the dish.
  • Bell Peppers – For color, crunch, and a subtle sweetness.
  • Garlic – Essential for flavor, giving the chili a robust taste.
  • Chili Powder – The star spice that brings heat and warmth to the dish.
  • Cumin – Adds an earthy, smoky flavor that complements the chili powder.
  • Vegetable Broth – To keep the chili moist and bring all the flavors together.
  • Corn (optional) – For added sweetness and texture.
  • Jalapeños (optional) – For extra heat if you like it spicy.

Chefs Helpful Tips

  • Sauté the veggies first – If you have extra time, sautéing the onions, garlic, and bell peppers before adding them to the slow cooker enhances the flavor.
  • Don’t skimp on spices – Adjust the chili powder and cumin to your taste, and don’t be afraid to add smoked paprika or cayenne for extra depth.
  • Add a variety of beans – Mixing different beans like black beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans adds texture and flavor complexity.
  • Thicken the chili – If your chili turns out too thin, mash some of the beans or add a tablespoon of cornmeal or masa harina to thicken it up.
  • Boost the umami – A splash of soy sauce, tamari, or liquid aminos adds a savory depth to your vegetarian chili.
  • Use quality vegetable broth – Choose a rich, flavorful vegetable broth for the best taste.
  • Adjust cooking time – If you’re short on time, you can cook the chili on high for 3-4 hours instead of low for 6-8 hours.
  • Let it sit – Chili always tastes better the next day, so consider making it ahead of time for even more developed flavors.

Recipes To Try...

Cooking Method
Cuisine
Courses ,
Difficulty Beginner
Time
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 8 hrs Rest Time: 5 mins Total Time: 8 hrs 15 mins
Servings 6
Calories 300
Best Season Suitable throughout the year, Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall
Dietary dairy free, Gluten Free, High Protein, Pescatarian, Sugar Free, Vegetarian
Description

This Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili is a perfect meal for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. Packed with beans, tomatoes, and spices, it’s hearty and full of flavor. Plus, it’s super easy to make. Just toss the ingredients into your slow cooker and let it do the work!

Ingredients
  • 2 cans each 15oz black beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 1 can or 15oz kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 1 can or 15oz diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 medium onion (diced)
  • 1 bell pepper (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup corn (optional)
  • 1 jalapeño (diced, optional for heat)
Instructions
  1. Prepare the vegetables

    Dice the onion and bell pepper, and mince the garlic. Set aside.

  2. Optional step

    For extra flavor, sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic in a skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.

  3. Add ingredients to the slow cooker

    In a slow cooker, combine the beans, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, onion, bell pepper, garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir well to mix everything together.

  4. Cook the chili

    Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally.

  5. Optional add-ins

    In the last hour of cooking, add corn and jalapeños (if using) for extra flavor and texture.

  6. Taste and adjust

    Once the chili is done, taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or spices as needed.

  7. Serve

    Let the chili rest for about 5 minutes, then ladle into bowls. Add your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime juice.

  8. Enjoy

    Serve with cornbread, over rice, or as a stand-alone dish.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Amount Per Serving
Calories 300kcal
Calories from Fat 50kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 0.5g3%
Sodium 700mg30%
Potassium 950mg28%
Total Carbohydrate 45g15%
Dietary Fiber 14g57%
Sugars 7g
Protein 12g24%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: vegetarian chili, slow cooker chili, easy chili recipe, hearty vegetarian meal, plant-based chili, healthy chili, comfort food, vegan option, meal prep chili, high protein chili, gluten-free, dairy-free, simple chili
Read it online: https://mykitchentreats.com/recipe/best-slow-cooker-vegetarian-chili-simple-and-delicious-recipe/
Courtney