Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

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Even the meat lovers in your family will love this Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili! Loaded with veggies, seasonings, and two different kinds of beans, this vegetarian chili is super healthy and hearty!

I love a good crockpot meal! Is there anything more comforting than walking in and smelling something delicious cooking when you walk through the front door? Slow cookers are a busy parent’s best friend.

The crockpot provides healthy and hearty meals that the whole family can enjoy! Meals like this crockpot vegetarian chili. The simple slow cooker can help you create meals that boast complex flavors with minimal effort.

Our vegetarian chili slow cooker recipe is so EASY! Top it with some shredded cheese, avocado, and cilantro, and you’ve got the perfect dinner everyone at the table will love.

Vegetarian Crockpot Chili Ingredients

• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 small onion white, yellow, or red
• 1 bell pepper any color
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 31 oz kidney beans light or dark (two 15.5 oz. cans)
• 15.5 oz pinto beans
• 28 oz diced tomatoes
• 8 oz tomato sauce
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 2 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. smoked paprika
• 1 ½ tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups frozen corn
• ½ cup water
• 2 Tbsp. corn starch
• pinch salt and pepper adjust to taste

The only real “effort” involved in preparing this slow cooker vegetarian chili is chopping the veggies! I like to use garlic, onions, and bell pepper for great flavor. Garlic and onion brings out deep flavors in this bean chili recipe.

You can use white, yellow, or red onion, depending on what you like most. Dice 1 bell pepper into pieces, and like the onion, feel free to use a red, yellow, orange, or green pepper. Bell pepper gives this simple chili recipe so much flavor!

For chili beans, I use pinto and kidney beans. I find they are perfect chili beans that pair well with the veggies, especially the corn and peppers. You will be blown away by how much flavor is in this easy vegetarian chili!

Chili Spices for Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

• 2 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. smoked paprika
• 1 ½ tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning

Chili Toppings

• Avocado
• Cilantro
• Shredded Cheese
• Limes
• Tortilla Chips

Vegetarian Chili Slow Cooker Recipe – Step-by-Step

1. Warm up your slow cooker while you prepare the ingredients.
2. Mince 4 cloves of garlic and 1 small onion. Dice 1 bell pepper of any color you like.
3. Drain and rinse 2 15.5 oz. cans of light or dark kidney beans and 1 15.5 oz. can of pinto beans.
4. Add 1 Tbsp. olive oil to the warmed slow cooker along with the garlic, onions, and pepper. Stir to combine.
5. Add 1 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes and 1 8 oz. can of tomato sauce.
6. Mix in 2 Tbsp. sugar, 2 tsp. chili powder, 1 tsp. smoked paprika, 1 ½ tsp. cumin, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning and a pinch of salt and pepper.
7. Add two 15.5 oz. cans of kidney beans, one 15.5 oz. can of pinto beans, 3 cups of vegetable broth, and 2 cups of frozen corn to the slow cooker. Stir all of the ingredients together to combine.
8. Place the cover on the slow cooker and cook for 4-5 hours on ‘High’ or 7-8 hours on ‘Low’.
9. When the chili is done, thicken it using a slurry of cornstarch and water. Stir 2 Tbsp. corn starch into ½ cup of water. Slowly pour the slurry into the chili until it has thickened to the consistency you want.
10. Dice 1-2 avocados, mince 1 cup cilantro, shred 1 cup of cheese, and cut 1 lime into wedges. Serve the chili with these toppings along with tortilla chips.

Recipe tip: Plug the slow cooker in and get it warmed up while you chop the ingredients! Once the garlic, onions, and pepper are chopped, add them to the slow cooker along with 1 Tbsp. of olive oil. Stir these ingredients together until they are coated in the olive oil.

Do I have to drain and rinse canned beans?

We recommend rinsing the canned beans because it gets rid of any excess salt. You can always add more salt, but you can’t take it away!

Additionally, draining the liquid and rinsing the beans removes excess starch that can affect the taste and texture, as well as it can remove any metallic taste that might be left behind.

How long does it take to make vegetarian chili in the slow cooker?

Once all the ingredients are added, cook the Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili for 4-5 hours on ‘High’ or 7-8 hours on ‘Low’. The onions and peppers should soften at this point and all the flavors should be nicely developed.

I like for chili to be thick and hearty, so I find it helpful to thicken it a bit using a cornstarch slurry.

What is a slurry?

A slurry is just a mixture of cornstarch and water. Simply mix 2 Tbsp. of corn starch with ½ cup of water and drizzle it into the slow cooker. Stir until the chili has thickened to the consistency you like.

Once the chili has reached your desired consistency it’s ready to serve! This recipe has great smoky flavor from the smoked paprika and chili powder. There is a Southwestern flair to this slow cooker vegetarian chili you are going to love.

I recommend topping it with some diced avocado, chopped cilantro, shredded cheese, and a squeeze of lime. It’s perfect for scooping up with some tortilla chips, too!

This crockpot chili recipe will warm you right up during these cold winter months! It’s great for a weeknight dinner, makes for perfect game day fare, and serves as a flavorful topping for veggie burgers or hot dogs.

This recipe is a great option for serving guests who may be vegetarian, but I guarantee it will be loved by everyone!

Easy Weeknight Crockpot Meals

• Slow Cooker Lasagna
• Slow Cooker Carne Picada
• How to Make Pulled Pork – Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
• Slow Cooker Chuck Roast
• Slow Cooker Short Ribs

The Best Chili Recipes

• Easy Ground Beef Chili Recipe
• One-Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
• The Best Chicken Chili Recipe

Vegetarian Meal Ideas

• Mushroom Tacos
• Stuffed Roasted Eggplant Recipe
• Roasted Vegetables with Cheese Sauce
• Vegetarian Enchiladas Recipe with Chickpea Curry

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