CRAZY Easy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

I’ve had a lot of requests for my slow cooker chili recipe. To make it easier to follow, I took a video of myself making it. It is short and to the point and has lots of my kitchen hacks in it. Take a look and please comment with any questions. I’m happy to help!     It is a really easy vegetarian chili and my kids LOVE it! We make it a lot in the Fall and Winter months, and it can be thrown together in the morning in under 10 minutes. The leftovers are fantastic and you can add different toppings as you eat it throughout the week. Not to mention, it is easy enough to let your kids help, as most of it is just dumping things into the slow cooker! 😉 Recently, I upgraded to a larger slow cooker. If you are in the market, I got THIS fantastic 8 quart one that is under $50! So worth it for meals like this that make great leftovers during the week! Screen Shot 2017-11-10 at 7.19.21 PM.png The recipe for my chili is below along with some kitchen hacks. You’ll notice that I modified the recipe a bit in the video. I did that because I was using things I had on hand. That is exactly what you should do. Take this and make it your own by using what you have on hand. My pantry and freezer are always well stocked with organic items that can be made into a healthy and hearty dinner on busy weeknights. I hope this becomes a regular meal in your home as it is in ours – and that you enjoy it!

RECIPE

PANTRY ITEMS:
  • 1 – Organic yellow onion
  • 1 – 15 oz Can organic cannelloni beans (salt free)
  • 1 -15 oz Can organic black beans (salt free)
  • 1 -15 oz Can organic pinto beans (salt free)
  • 1 -15 oz Can organic kidney beans (salt free)
  • 1 – 28 oz Can organic fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1 – Jar organic chili powder (no salt blend)
FREEZER ITEMS:
  • 1 – 16 oz Bag organic fire roasted corn
  • 1 – 16 oz Bag organic three pepper blend (sliced bell peppers)
  • 1 – 11 oz Bag Beyond Meat (or alternative vegetable – meatless protein)
INTRUCTIONS:
  • Plug in Slow Cooker and put on low.
  • Dump entire can of fire roasted tomatoes into slow cooker – juice and all.
  • Open all 4 cans of beans and drain them. Dump the beans from all 4 cans (without the liquid) – into the slow cooker.
  • Dump entire bag of three pepper blend into slow cooker.
  • Dump 1/2 the bag of fire roasted corn into the slow cooker. Save the other half in freezer for another recipe.
  • Dump entire bag of Beyond Meat into slow cooker.
  • Dice entire onion and add to slow cooker. Stir everything well with large spoon.
  • Let cook on low for 8 hours. Add 5-6 tbsp chili powder (more or less depending on your preference). I use at least 6 tablespoons of chili powder because I like a good amount of chili flavor. The kind I use is NOT spicy because I make it for my whole family, and my kids are still young. Keep that in mind and add more of a “hot and spicy” mix if you want more of a kick.
  • Stir well and serve hot.
OTHER EASY THINGS TO THROW IN:
  • Pre-washed spinach from the bag
  • Pre-sliced organic mushrooms
  • Any other type of organic bean that you like for chili
  • Chopped garlic (fresh or pre-chopped from the jar)
  • 1 – 15 oz can organic tomato sauce (for a saucier version)
TOPPINGS IDEAS:
  • Shredded cheese
  • Chopped parsley
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Avocado
  • Fresh cracked black pepper
  • Scallions
  • Sour cream
  • Fresh diced tomatoes
  • Tortilla chips
You may have noticed that most of the items I used in this are salt free (when possible). I like to cook with as little salt as possible – and trust me – this chili doesn’t need it! The chili blend is salt free as well – and is delicious! Some items do have salt and when mixed with the salt free ingredients – balance it all out. You’ll feel so much better without the extra sodium – and it’s much better for adults and kids alike! Yes this is a vegetarian chili. You can add meat – but it will take a lot of extra time to cook the meat, drain it, and add it into the chili. Also, you will miss out on the added veggies from the vegetable protein that I use. Beyond Meat (or similar substitute of choice) is a fantastic mommy hack to get your kids to eat more veggies! The texture is like ground beef – but it’s a lot healthier! The one I use (see above) is soy free, non GMO, gluten free, cholesterol free, vegan, and kosher! Not to mention has 13 grams of protein per serving! You can also try Quorn which is another fantastic plant protein crumble that mimics ground beef really well in chili. Plant protein that tastes like ground beef in your chili! Yes please! Great trick to get kiddos the veggies they need! 🙂 Also, for any canned products you purchase (for beans, tomatoes, etc.) please be sure to only pick cans that have a BPA free lining! This should be available in most if not all grocery stores these days!  One last trick – don’t tell your kids what’s in the chili if they are picky eaters! Let them try it and see how it goes! My nephew didn’t want to eat this chili because it has onions – and he “hates onions.” That being said – I told him that I took the onions out and he ate the whole bowl and asked for seconds. Yes…I know I fibbed a bit…but he needed to try his dinner and he ended up loving it! lol! If it tastes great – is super healthy – and was crazy easy to make – why ruin it all by telling them what’s in it??? Once they love it, tell them what is in it and have them help you make it! Fun! Enjoy!! xoxo

Shop My Faves

Le Creuset Stoneware Petite Round Casserole
Ceramic Textured Bowls
Porcelain Bowls with Handles - 20 Ounces
Fine Porcelain Oversized Mug - 28 Ounces
Handmade Hemstitch Design Natural Dinner Napkins
Linen Dinner Napkins by Abbot Fjord
Buffalo Plaid Check Classic Cotton Blend Table Cloth Napkin
Le Creuset Silicone 8" Round French Trivet

About The Author

Chirag Diyora

I’ve had a lot of requests for my slow cooker chili recipe. To make it easier to follow, I took a video of myself making it. It is short and to the point and has lots of my kitchen hacks in it. Take a look and please comment with any questions. I’m happy to help!     It is a really easy vegetarian chili and my kids LOVE it! We make it a lot in the Fall and Winter months, and it can be thrown together in the morning in under 10 minutes. The leftovers are fantastic and you can add different toppings as you eat it throughout the week. Not to mention, it is easy enough to let your kids help, as most of it is just dumping things into the slow cooker! 😉 Recently, I upgraded to a larger slow cooker. If you are in the market, I got THIS fantastic 8 quart one that is under $50! So worth it for meals like this that make great leftovers during the week! Screen Shot 2017-11-10 at 7.19.21 PM.png The recipe for my chili is below along with some kitchen hacks. You’ll notice that I modified the recipe a bit in the video. I did that because I was using things I had on hand. That is exactly what you should do. Take this and make it your own by using what you have on hand. My pantry and freezer are always well stocked with organic items that can be made into a healthy and hearty dinner on busy weeknights. I hope this becomes a regular meal in your home as it is in ours – and that you enjoy it!

RECIPE

PANTRY ITEMS:
  • 1 – Organic yellow onion
  • 1 – 15 oz Can organic cannelloni beans (salt free)
  • 1 -15 oz Can organic black beans (salt free)
  • 1 -15 oz Can organic pinto beans (salt free)
  • 1 -15 oz Can organic kidney beans (salt free)
  • 1 – 28 oz Can organic fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1 – Jar organic chili powder (no salt blend)
FREEZER ITEMS:
  • 1 – 16 oz Bag organic fire roasted corn
  • 1 – 16 oz Bag organic three pepper blend (sliced bell peppers)
  • 1 – 11 oz Bag Beyond Meat (or alternative vegetable – meatless protein)
INTRUCTIONS:
  • Plug in Slow Cooker and put on low.
  • Dump entire can of fire roasted tomatoes into slow cooker – juice and all.
  • Open all 4 cans of beans and drain them. Dump the beans from all 4 cans (without the liquid) – into the slow cooker.
  • Dump entire bag of three pepper blend into slow cooker.
  • Dump 1/2 the bag of fire roasted corn into the slow cooker. Save the other half in freezer for another recipe.
  • Dump entire bag of Beyond Meat into slow cooker.
  • Dice entire onion and add to slow cooker. Stir everything well with large spoon.
  • Let cook on low for 8 hours. Add 5-6 tbsp chili powder (more or less depending on your preference). I use at least 6 tablespoons of chili powder because I like a good amount of chili flavor. The kind I use is NOT spicy because I make it for my whole family, and my kids are still young. Keep that in mind and add more of a “hot and spicy” mix if you want more of a kick.
  • Stir well and serve hot.
OTHER EASY THINGS TO THROW IN:
  • Pre-washed spinach from the bag
  • Pre-sliced organic mushrooms
  • Any other type of organic bean that you like for chili
  • Chopped garlic (fresh or pre-chopped from the jar)
  • 1 – 15 oz can organic tomato sauce (for a saucier version)
TOPPINGS IDEAS:
  • Shredded cheese
  • Chopped parsley
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Avocado
  • Fresh cracked black pepper
  • Scallions
  • Sour cream
  • Fresh diced tomatoes
  • Tortilla chips
You may have noticed that most of the items I used in this are salt free (when possible). I like to cook with as little salt as possible – and trust me – this chili doesn’t need it! The chili blend is salt free as well – and is delicious! Some items do have salt and when mixed with the salt free ingredients – balance it all out. You’ll feel so much better without the extra sodium – and it’s much better for adults and kids alike! Yes this is a vegetarian chili. You can add meat – but it will take a lot of extra time to cook the meat, drain it, and add it into the chili. Also, you will miss out on the added veggies from the vegetable protein that I use. Beyond Meat (or similar substitute of choice) is a fantastic mommy hack to get your kids to eat more veggies! The texture is like ground beef – but it’s a lot healthier! The one I use (see above) is soy free, non GMO, gluten free, cholesterol free, vegan, and kosher! Not to mention has 13 grams of protein per serving! You can also try Quorn which is another fantastic plant protein crumble that mimics ground beef really well in chili. Plant protein that tastes like ground beef in your chili! Yes please! Great trick to get kiddos the veggies they need! 🙂 Also, for any canned products you purchase (for beans, tomatoes, etc.) please be sure to only pick cans that have a BPA free lining! This should be available in most if not all grocery stores these days!  One last trick – don’t tell your kids what’s in the chili if they are picky eaters! Let them try it and see how it goes! My nephew didn’t want to eat this chili because it has onions – and he “hates onions.” That being said – I told him that I took the onions out and he ate the whole bowl and asked for seconds. Yes…I know I fibbed a bit…but he needed to try his dinner and he ended up loving it! lol! If it tastes great – is super healthy – and was crazy easy to make – why ruin it all by telling them what’s in it??? Once they love it, tell them what is in it and have them help you make it! Fun! Enjoy!! xoxo

Shop My Faves

Le Creuset Stoneware Petite Round Casserole
Ceramic Textured Bowls
Porcelain Bowls with Handles - 20 Ounces
Fine Porcelain Oversized Mug - 28 Ounces
Handmade Hemstitch Design Natural Dinner Napkins
Linen Dinner Napkins by Abbot Fjord
Buffalo Plaid Check Classic Cotton Blend Table Cloth Napkin
Le Creuset Silicone 8" Round French Trivet