1-Pot Red Lentil Chili

Name: 1-Pot Red Lentil Chili
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6 serving
Ingredients: 2 Tbsp avocado or coconut oil; 1 medium white or yellow onion, diced; 1 medium red pepper, diced; 1/2 tsp each sea salt and black pepper; 1 small jalapeño, diced with seeds; 4 cloves garlic; 3 Tbsp chili powder blend; 2 Tbsp ground cumin; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 2 ounce cans diced tomatoes; 3 Tbsp tomato paste; 1 ¾ cup water; 3/4 cup dry red lentils; 1 ounce can kidney beans; 1 ounce can black beans; 1-2 Tbsp coconut sugar; 1 ounce can corn, drained; DIY Chili "Cheese” Fritos; Rice or Quinoa; fresh chopped cilantro; avocado

User Reviews

4.9

1,200 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings
6
Calories
320 kcal
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
Vegan

1-Pot Red Lentil Chili

Valerie Marks

Report

Hearty red lentil chili made in 1 pot with simple ingredients! A smoky, flavorful, protein- and fiber-rich plant-based meal perfect for cold nights and feeding a crowd.

Share:

I Made This!

900 people made this

Print

241 people printed this

Save this

720 people saved this

Ingredients

Servings

2 Tbsp avocado or coconut oil
1 medium white or yellow onion, diced
1 medium red pepper, diced
1/2 tsp each sea salt and black pepper (divided // plus more to taste)
1 small jalapeño, diced with seeds (remove seeds or reduce or omit for less heat)
4 cloves garlic (4 cloves yield ~2 Tbsp)
3 Tbsp chili powder blend (divided // NOT chili flakes, cayenne pepper, or pure chili)
2 Tbsp ground cumin (divided)
1 tsp smoked paprika
2 ounce cans diced tomatoes (if unsalted, add more sea salt)
3 Tbsp tomato paste
1 ¾ cup water (plus more as needed)
3/4 cup dry red lentils thoroughly rinsed in cold water + drained
1 ounce can kidney beans (slightly drained)
1 ounce can black beans (slightly drained)
1-2 Tbsp coconut sugar (or maple syrup)
1 ounce can corn, drained (optional)

FOR SERVING optional

DIY Chili "Cheese” Fritos
Rice or Quinoa
fresh chopped cilantro
avocado

Add to Shopping List

Instructions

Heat a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add oil, onion, and red pepper. Season with a healthy pinch each salt and pepper and stir. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add jalapeño and garlic to a mortar and pestle and crush into a rough paste (alternatively, blend in a small food processor, or finely mince). Add to the pot with onion and red pepper, and season with another pinch salt and pepper.
Add 2/3 of the chili powder (2 Tbsp as original recipe is written), half of the cumin (1 Tbsp as original recipe is written), paprika, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and water, and stir to combine. Bring to a low boil over medium high heat.
Once boiling, add lentils and reduce heat to medium-low or low, so it's at a gentle simmer. You want to see bubbles, but you don't want it boiling. Cook for 15 minutes, or until lentils are mostly tender. As it's cooking you may need to add more water if the mixture is looking too dry and the lentils aren't submerged (I didn't find that necessary).
Next add kidney beans, black beans, 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper, and remaining cumin (1 Tbsp as original recipe is written) and chili powder (1 Tbsp as original recipe is written), and stir to combine.
Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat slightly to low (or medium-low), add corn (optional), cover, and gently simmer for 20 minutes to meld the flavors together. Stir occasionally.
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more chili powder or cumin for smokiness, salt for saltiness, or a little coconut sugar to balance the heat and draw out the other flavors.
Serve as is, or garnished with chili cheese fritos, fresh jalapeño, cilantro, red onion, and/or avocado (optional).
Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 4 days, and in the freezer up to 1 month. Reheat on the stovetop, or in the microwave.

Notes

*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Serving 1serving Calories 320 (16%) Carbohydrates 52.4g (17%) Protein 15.9g (32%) Fat 6.8g (10%) Saturated Fat 0.7g (4%) Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg (0%) Sodium 427mg (18%) Fiber 18.9g (76%) Sugar 10g (20%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 320 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	1serving
Calories	320	16%
Carbohydrates	52.4g	17%
Protein	15.9g	32%
Fat	6.8g	10%
Saturated Fat	0.7g	4%
Trans Fat	0g	0%
Cholesterol	0mg	0%
Sodium	427mg	18%
Fiber	18.9g	76%
Sugar	10g	20%