Foodedo recipe

Vegetarian Chili

Name: Vegetarian Chili
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 red onion (finely diced); 1 red bell pepper (diced); 3 garlic (minced); 2 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 400 g canned kidney beans (drained); 400 g canned black beans (drained); 400 g canned chopped tomatoes; 1 tsp fine salt; 1 pinch black pepper

45 min ·

This smoky, satisfying vegetarian chili is packed with two kinds of beans, sweet bell pepper, and bold spices that come together in under an hour. It's the kind of weeknight meal that tastes even better the next day, and it's endlessly customizable with your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

12 items

1 tbspolive oil
1red onionfinely diced
1red bell pepperdiced
3garlicminced
2 tspchili powder
1 tspground cumin
1 tspsmoked paprika
400 gcanned kidney beansdrained
400 gcanned black beansdrained
400 gcanned chopped tomatoes
1 tspfine salt
1 pinchblack pepper

Method

4 steps

Step 1. Soften the vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the red onion and bell pepper with a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6–8 minutes until the onion is translucent and the pepper has softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Step 2. Toast the spices: Add the chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika directly to the pot and stir to coat the vegetables. Cook for 60 seconds, stirring constantly — the spices should smell fragrant and deepen slightly in color. This step builds the backbone of flavor for the whole chili.
Step 3. Add beans and tomatoes, then simmer: Pour in the kidney beans, black beans, and chopped tomatoes, then stir everything together. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili has thickened and the flavors have melded. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
Step 4. Serve: Ladle the chili into bowls and serve hot with crusty bread, steamed rice, or tortilla chips. Top with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt, a squeeze of fresh lime, and a handful of fresh cilantro if you like.