This is the time of year that I especially love to pull out my slow cooker. Easy, hot dinner awaiting me when I get home? Yes please.
This Hearty Slow Cooker Vegan Lentil Chili fits the bill for the chillier days we have coming up in the next few months. I confess that I keep my down twin-sized comforter from college in my living room for cold days when I need a snuggle on the couch but can’t yet move into my bed (well, at least not before 9 PM…).
While I spend my late afternoons curled up in the fetal position with this comforter, a mug of tea, and a book, I hope to always have a batch of something delicious like this lentil chili around so dinner isn’t a mess.
If you don’t own a slow cooker – let me give you this last little push by parading photos of this delectable recipe. And a reminder: the cheapo ones (like the one I have) are $20 at Target.
And I have a whole archive of slow cooker recipes here!
- 1 cup dry green lentils
- 2 cups water
- 1 large sweet onion
- 1 jalapeño
- 2 red or green peppers
- 2 15-ounce cans fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 15-ounce can pinto beans
- 1 15-ounce can dark red kidney beans
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 cup medium salsa
- Garnishes: vegan sour cream, cilantro, fresh tomato, avocado
- Chop onion and red/green peppers. Drain and rinse the pinto and dark red kidney beans. Remove the ribs and seeds of the jalapeño and mince.
- Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker in order listed above on the ingredient list, starting with the lentils.
- Cook on high for 4 hours, or low 8-10 hours. Leave the chili on the warm setting of your slow cooker until ready to serve, or chill and freeze in portions.
- Garnish with your favorite toppings!
If you’re looking for recommendations for sides: I served this hearty vegan lentil chili with vegan cornbread & vegan “sour cream” – both recipes from some of my favorite recipe developers!
We also had a spread of grated sharp cheddar (gotta give it to the non-vegans who put up with my cornbread antics), fresh cilantro, avocado, crushed tortilla chips, slices of lime, and hot sauce. The works. I recommend it all.
So what are you waiting for? Break out the slow cooker for the season with this filling, flavorful chili.
Marisa
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Chili is just the best!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
Looks like such a hearty chili – love the fire roasted tomatoes you used!
Marisa says
Thanks Jeanette – they’re delicious!
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats says
One of my favorite chills is a vegetarian version. Pinning this! I love crock pot meals!
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
I can’t believe that chili season is in full swing now! There’s no shame in the college comforter. I just retired mine not too long ago!
Marisa says
That’s good to hear that I’m not alone in holding onto things for far too long 🙂
genevieve @ gratitude and greens says
Yum! Chili is one of my fave comfort foods 🙂
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
i love slowcooker and this is the perfect time to use it. love this chili recipe 🙂
Julia says
Hail to crockpot meals!! I absolutely love setting it, forgetting it, and coming home to smelly good deliciousness! Beautiful chili, m’dear! Have you noticed cheap crockpots are better than the super expensive ones? I think this is beacuse cheap crocks have suuuuuper low settings, cooking at a suuuuuper low temperature, allowing for the best flavor meld ever. Not sure if it’s just me or what, but my cheap-o crock does me real good, I can tell ya that 😀
Marisa says
I’ve never had an expensive crockpot so I figure, let’s not start now? But glad to hear that you prefer the cheapos too! Love that overcooking something isn’t really possible.
Michael says
Hearty Crockpot Lentil Chili was scrumptious! Easy to make and lots of flavor.
Marisa says
Thanks for sharing your review, Michael!
Leslie-Sue Levine says
wanted to make the Hearty Crockpot Lentil chili, but was very frustrated that recipe does not tell me what size cans of beans to use, also says 2 cans of fire roasted tomatoes.
Can someone please tell me if the cans should be 80z cans of beans, or 16 oz cans?
What size cans of fire roasted tomatoes?
Does anyone know the answers?
Please help. Thanks, Leslie
Marisa says
Hi Leslie – Thanks for reaching out! I have updated the recipe with these specifications, but any place I have not specified refers to a 15.5 ounce can of beans or tomatoes. I hope you enjoy the recipe!