This fast and easy lentil chili has smoky (but not super spicy) flavors, two types of beans, and lentils for loads of plant-based protein. Add your favorite toppings and dinner is served!
Chili season is officially here, and it may be my favorite dinner to make for guests. Last week I loaded up my slow cookers with chili, set out a bunch of toppings on tables on our back deck, and invited friends over for dinner. It’s always easy, fun, and a big batch of chili can feed a crowd.
As much as I love a classic meat and beans chili (this is the one I made last week), it’s fun to mix things up with a vegetarian version. And here’s a little secret - lentils become very meat-like in a thick stew like chili - you can barely even tell the difference!
Ingredients for Lentil Chili
- Yellow Onion and Red Bell Pepper - Use these as a base to start building flavor. Be sure to dice them fairly small so they blend right.
- Chili Powder - Chili powder is actually a blend of spices. We often think of it as being really spicy, but if you’re concerned about spice, look for a mild version (I like this one.) You’ll get all the flavor without the spicy kick!
- Kidney Beans and Black Beans - I love this combo for the creaminess of the kidney beans and the heartiness of the black beans, and both add plenty of vegetarian protein to this chili. Feel free to just use one type or sub in your favorite beans.
- Cooked Lentils - Pre-cooked lentils help to keep this recipe fast and easy, but check the recipe notes if you want to use dried lentils instead.
- Low-Sodium Stock / Broth - If not using a low-sodium version, reduce the salt in the recipe. You can always taste and add more at the end.
- Tomato Sauce - Tomato sauce is extra smooth, but tomato puree and crushed tomatoes (both slightly less smooth than sauce) will work just fine.
- Cooking Oil, Smoked Paprika, Cumin, Garlic Powder, Salt and Pepper - Pantry staples you’ll need to build flavor.
How to Make this in the Slow Cooker
Almost any chili can be transferred to the slow cooker for hands-off simmering. Cook everything on the stovetop according to recipe instructions then transfer to the slow cooker for the “simmer” step. Most chilis should simmer on high for 7 to 8 hours or low for 4 to 5 hours. Check the chili halfway through slow cooking and add some more water if needed to account for evaporation over the long cook time.
More Chili recipes
- Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
- Instant Pot All American Chili
- Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
- Slow Cooker Classic Beef Chili
Favorite Tools
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Dutch Oven
📖 Recipe
Lentil Chili Recipe
Equipment
- Dutch oven
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil (see note)
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1 tablespoon chili powder (be sure to use chili powder that is a blend, not cayenne pepper)
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika (sub regular paprika)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated (sub ½ teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 cup uncooked red lentils
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce (tomato puree or crushed tomatoes will also work)
- 3 cups low-sodium vegetable stock or broth
- 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- sour cream, shredded cheese, green onions, corn or tortilla chips (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Heat a Dutch oven or large saute pan with oil over medium heat.
- To heated oil, add the onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until very tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and garlic and stir gently until the spices are fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Add the lentils, tomato sauce, and stock. Bring to a simmer. Turn the heat down to low-medium and cover the pan with a lid.
- Simmer the chili, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. (Note: It's important to remove the lid and give the chili a good stir, focussing on scraping the bottom of the pan, about every 5 minutes to be sure that the chili doesn't stick to the bottom and burn.)
- When the lentils are tender, stir in both types of beans and let everything simmer together until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes more.
- Ladle chili into bowls. Serve with toppings and chips.
Notes
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