If you’re searching for a comfort meal that brings warmth, flavor, and nourishment all in one bowl, look no further than this fantastic Hearty Lentil Chili Recipe. It’s everything you want from a chili — rich, satisfying, and bursting with layers of flavor from wholesome lentils, smoky spices, and vibrant vegetables. Whether it’s a cozy weeknight dinner or a make-ahead option for busy days, this chili never fails to impress with its incredible taste and hearty texture.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Hearty Lentil Chili Recipe lies in its simplicity and accessibility. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, whether it’s adding savory depth, a subtle kick, or a splash of color to the dish. Gather these essentials and get ready for an easy, rewarding cooking experience.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Adds a silky base for sautéing your vegetables and infusing flavor into the chili.
- Large onion, diced (about 1 cup): Builds the aromatic foundation and sweetness when cooked down.
- Carrots, diced (about 1 cup): Bring natural sweetness and a slight crunch that balances out the savory spices.
- Bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup): Offers vibrant color and a mild, fresh flavor that brightens the chili.
- Garlic cloves, minced (4 cloves): Packs a punch of pungent, savory heat and rounds out the flavor.
- Chili powder (2 tablespoons): The star spice that ties the dish together with smoky warmth.
- Ground cumin (½ teaspoon): Adds earthiness and complexity, deepening the chili’s character.
- Vegetable broth (4 cups): Provides a savory liquid base without overpowering the other flavors.
- Dried lentils (1 ¼ cups): The hearty protein that makes this chili filling and nutritious.
- Black beans, drained and rinsed (1 15-ounce can): Enhance texture and add richness to each spoonful.
- Crushed tomatoes, undrained (1 15-ounce can): Create the perfect tomatoey tang and body for the chili sauce.
- Tomato paste (2 tablespoons): Concentrates the tomato flavor and adds thickness.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (½ teaspoon): Introduce a touch of heat to awaken the senses.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (1 teaspoon): A secret ingredient that adds subtle depth and richness.
- Sea salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors naturally without being overpowering.
- Black pepper (½ teaspoon): Delivers a slight background sharpness and warmth.
- Bay leaf (1 leaf): Infuses a gentle herbal note to round out the hearty chili.
How to Make Hearty Lentil Chili Recipe
Step 1: Sauté Your Veggies
Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Toss in the diced onion, carrots, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cooking these until they’re tender and fragrant draws out natural sweetness and creates that irresistible chili base you’ll want to dive into.
Step 2: Spice it Up
Sprinkle in your chili powder and ground cumin, stirring continuously for a few minutes. This step blooms the spices, unlocking their full aroma and preparing the pot for the luscious sauce that’s about to come together.
Step 3: Add the Essentials
Pour in the vegetable broth, lentils, rinsed black beans, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste. Then mix in crushed red pepper flakes, cocoa powder, sea salt, black pepper, and your bay leaf. Bring everything to a boil before reducing to a simmer. Cover and cook for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender and the chili has thickened into a rich masterpiece.
Step 4: Final Touch and Serve
Remove the bay leaf, give the chili a final stir, and it’s ready for your favorite toppings or to be enjoyed straight from the pot. The aroma alone will have everyone eager for a bowl!
Step 5 to 8: Pressure Cooker Option
If you’re in a hurry, you can adapt this Hearty Lentil Chili Recipe for the pressure cooker by following the sautéing and spice blooming steps using the sauté function—then adding all remaining ingredients, sealing the lid, and cooking on high pressure for 3 minutes. After a natural pressure release, open up to a perfectly thick and flavorful chili.
How to Serve Hearty Lentil Chili Recipe
Garnishes
While this chili shines on its own, topping it with things like freshly chopped cilantro, a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream, shredded cheese, or slices of avocado brings even more vibrancy and creaminess. These finishing touches elevate the warmth and invite you to personalize every bite.
Side Dishes
A warm bowl of this Hearty Lentil Chili Recipe pairs beautifully with crusty bread, fluffy rice, or even cornbread for that classic combo. For a lighter option, a crisp green salad adds refreshing contrast and rounds out the meal perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider turning this chili into a fun, interactive meal by serving it as a chili bar with various toppings and sides. Or scoop it over baked sweet potatoes or use it as a filling in stuffed peppers for a creative twist that makes dinner feel extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This Hearty Lentil Chili Recipe tastes even better the next day. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors continue to meld, making every spoonful a little more delightful.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, this chili freezes wonderfully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some room for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. If it seems a bit thick, add a splash of vegetable broth or water to loosen it up while preserving its rich texture.
FAQs
Can I use different types of lentils for this recipe?
Absolutely! While brown lentils are great for this chili, green or French lentils work too. Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly depending on the variety.
Is this Hearty Lentil Chili Recipe vegan?
Yes! This recipe uses no animal products, making it completely vegan and perfect for anyone seeking a plant-based meal.
How spicy is this chili?
The heat level is moderate with the chili powder and crushed red pepper flakes, but you can easily adjust it by adding more or less of those spices based on your personal preference.
Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?
Definitely! After sautéing the veggies and spices on the stove, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours until lentils are tender.
What can I substitute for cocoa powder?
If you don’t have cocoa powder, you can omit it or use a small amount of brewed coffee or espresso concentrate to maintain that subtle depth of flavor it provides.
Final Thoughts
This Hearty Lentil Chili Recipe is a true culinary win that never gets old. It’s comforting, packed with wholesome ingredients, and full of flavors that hug you from the inside out. Give it a try, and I promise it’ll become your new go-to meal for cozy nights or feeding a crowd with love and ease.
Print
Hearty Lentil Chili Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This hearty Lentil Chili recipe is a flavorful and nutritious meal that combines tender lentils, black beans, and a medley of vegetables simmered in a rich tomato base with warming spices. Perfect for a comforting lunch or dinner, it can be prepared on the stovetop or in a pressure cooker for convenience without sacrificing taste.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or any cooking oil)
- 1 large onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 2 large carrots, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 large bell pepper (any color), diced (about 1 cup)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
Liquids and Canned Goods
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, undrained
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Dry Goods
- 1 ¼ cups dried lentils, sorted and rinsed
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add diced onion, carrots, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are tender and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Spices: Stir in chili powder and ground cumin into the sautéed vegetables. Continue sautéing for 2-3 minutes while stirring frequently to toast the spices and enhance their flavor.
- Combine Ingredients and Simmer: Add the vegetable broth, dried lentils, black beans, crushed tomatoes with their juice, tomato paste, crushed red pepper flakes, unsweetened cocoa powder, sea salt, black pepper, and bay leaf to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally until the lentils are tender and the chili has thickened.
- Serve: Remove the bay leaf before serving. Serve the chili warm with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped fresh cilantro.
- Pressure Cooker Sauté: If using a pressure cooker, select the sauté function and heat olive oil. Add diced onion, carrots, and minced garlic. Sauté until tender, approximately 5-7 minutes. Stir in chili powder and cumin and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes. Press “cancel” to stop sautéing.
- Pressure Cook: Add the remaining ingredients (vegetable broth, lentils, black beans, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, cocoa powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf) to the pressure cooker. Secure the lid and seal the vent. Select “manual” or “pressure cook” on high pressure and cook for 3 minutes.
- Pressure Release: Allow the pressure cooker to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes, then carefully manually release any remaining pressure.
- Serve from Pressure Cooker: Remove the bay leaf and serve the chili warm with your choice of toppings.
Notes
- You can adjust the chili powder and crushed red pepper flakes to control the spiciness to your liking.
- Add toppings like avocado, cilantro, shredded cheese, or sour cream to enhance the flavors.
- For a thicker chili, simmer uncovered for an additional 10 minutes after cooking.
- This recipe is suitable for freezing; store cooled chili in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Use brown or green lentils for best texture; red lentils might become mushy.
- Pressure cooker cooking time is significantly shorter and great for busy days.
