Go Back

Easy Lentil Chili

Author : Ashley Madden
Cook Time: 45 mins
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: easy, lentils, one-pot
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
A quick and filling vegan lentil chili!

Ingredients
  

  • ½ white onion small diced (~1 heaping cup)
  • 2 medium carrots medium diced (~ 1 heaping cup)
  • 5 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 red bell pepper destemmed, deseeded and medium diced (~1 cup)
  • 1 yellow bell pepper destemmed, deseeded and medium diced (~1 cup)
  • 3 cups thinly sliced cremini or button mushrooms ~ 8 ounces mushrooms
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
  • 1 ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ¾ teaspoons cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes more if you like it spicy!
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup dried brown or green lentils rinsed
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 (28 ounce) can Italian style crushed or diced tomatoes (use regular if you can’t find Italian)
  • Optional Garnish: 1 avocado diced, fresh cilantro
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Sauté the onion and carrot in a 4-qt stockpot with ¼ cup of water for 5-7 minutes or until the onions begin to soften. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  • Add the garlic, both bell peppers, mushrooms, lentils, and all the spices and salt. Stir together and continue to sauté for another 3-4 minutes. Add more water if needed to prevent burning, 1 tablespoon at a time.
  • Add the vegetable broth and tomatoes. Stir and partially cover and simmer for ~35 minutes or until the lentils are tender and the chili has thickened. Taste and re-season with salt and pepper. Divide among bowls and garnish with chopped avocado and/or cilantro (if using)

Notes

Be sure to rinse and sort through the lentils to remove any pebbles or misshaped and discolored lentils.
Chili is always good leftover – it gives all the flavors a chance to deepen! Serve leftover chili on top of baked potatoes! This is how I recycle chili every time I make it!
Keyword easy, lentils, one-pot
Did you make this recipe? Tag @riseshinecook on Instagram or hashtag it #riseshinecook