Are you ready to warm up with the best chili recipe? This vegetarian dish is packed with beans, tomatoes, and just the right amount of spice. It’s the perfect meal for a cold evening. Let’s get cooking!
The Perfect Fall Comfort Food
Nothing beats a big bowl of chili on a crisp fall day. Whether you’re cozying up by the bonfire with friends or serving it to your family at home, this is the recipe you need. It’s naturally vegetarian and can even be vegan if you use the right beans. Trust me, it’s so delicious that you won’t even miss the meat!
Choosing the Best Beans
In this recipe, I love using a combination of black beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans. You can easily find these canned beans in the grocery store, but if you prefer, you can cook them from scratch. If you’re not a fan of any of these beans, feel free to substitute with cannellini or great northern beans. Just remember, garbanzo beans don’t make the cut for this chili recipe.
You can even experiment with lentils if you want to add a different flavor and texture to your chili!
Stovetop Option
If you’re short on time and didn’t plan ahead, don’t worry! You can still enjoy this delicious chili recipe on the stovetop. While it’s best to let the flavors slowly develop in the slow cooker, you can simmer it on the stovetop for 45 minutes to an hour for a decent result. Just make sure to keep an eye on it and stir regularly to prevent burning. You might need to add some extra liquid to prevent it from getting too thick.
Perfect Pairings for Your Chili
One of the best things about this chili recipe is that you can customize it to suit everyone’s tastes. Create a chili bar and let your family and friends choose their favorite toppings. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, Colby)
- Sliced jalapeno
- Diced onions, green onions, or chives
- Sour cream or nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- Hot sauce or salsa
- Ground beef, ground chicken, or ground sausage
- Serve over hot dogs or make chili dogs
- Serve with cornbread, cinnamon rolls, tortilla chips, corn chips, or crackers
Ingredients
- 2 cans black beans
- 2 cans pinto beans
- 2 cans red kidney beans
- 2 cans chili beans
- 2 cans diced tomatoes
- 1 onion
- 1 package of chili spices
- 3 tablespoons Cajun spices
Instructions
- Drain the black beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans.
- Pour them into a slow cooker.
- Add the chili beans, diced tomatoes, and broth to the slow cooker.
- Dice the onion and add it to the slow cooker. Stir well.
- Sprinkle in the chili spice package and Cajun spice. Stir well.
- Cook on medium heat for 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally to incorporate all the flavors.
- Serve with your favorite toppings.
Enjoy your delicious slow cooker chili!
