Beans, beans, and more beans. This recipe is loaded with kidney beans, black beans, and chickpeas. Beans are an excellent source of dietary fiber to help keep our digestive tracts running smoothly. They are also a great source of plant-based protein. To top it all off, beans are a phenomenal source of iron. Iron helps to carry oxygen and nutrients to our blood cells, which help keep our cells healthy. The plethora of veggies in this chili are also rich in fiber as well as a number of vitamins and minerals to help keep our bodies functioning properly.
This is one of our longer recipes, so get ready to do some cooking and chopping. Start off by heating olive oil over medium heat and sautéing your chopped onion, chopped bell pepper, cumin, oregano, bay leaves, garlic, carrots, and zucchini. Cook this up until it begins to smell divine. In a large pot, mix tomatoes and beans. Add your sautéd mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes. Stir occasionally and add some salt and pepper to taste. Top this baby off with plenty of hearty cheese and enjoy! Pair this with a hearty grain for a well balanced meal like rice, quinoa, or a whole wheat roll. Allow the aroma of this hearty chili to fill the entire house. How does this sound to warm up to during those crisp fall football games or for just a homey, comfortable meal.
- 15 oz can of kidney beans
- 15 oz can of black beans
- 15 oz can of chickpeas
- 15 oz can of chopped tomatoes
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 cup of carrots, chopped
- 1 cup of zucchini, chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 onion
- 1 tablespoon of chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 ounces of cheddar cheese
- Salt & pepper to taste
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Heat olive oil on medium heat and sauté chopped onion, chopped bell pepper, cumin, oregano, bay leaves, garlic, carrots and zucchini, until they begin to smell great (about 5 minutes).
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In a large pot, mix tomatoes and beans. Add sautéd mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes. Stir occasionally.
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Add salt and pepper to taste.
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Coat with cheese.
Enjoy with your favorite grain
Tsahai says
This looks delicious!! Must try this soon. Love all the recipes. You gals are the best! 🙂
Jess says
Hey Tsahai! Thank so much for your comment! SO glad you like the recipes =) Let us know how it turns out!
Aliren says
This seems super easy and looks great. I’m trying this weekend.
Jess says
Hey Aliren! Yes, I promise it is so easy! Let me know if you end up trying it! =)
Aliren says
I know that it has been a while, but I needed this recipe again. I added potatoes to this to add another element and it is my absolute favorite chili. Hands down.
Wendy says
Amazing! It’s definitely one of those go-to recipes
Jordan says
I will be making this THIS week!! So Happy to come across this blog (via your facebook page) && the fact that these are healthy is such a huge plus!
Thanks for this recipe!
All the best to yall! =)
Jess says
Hey Jordan, Yay! Let me know how it turns out!! We’re so happy you found us too!!! xo
Jordan says
It turned out great! Did a post about it too!
http://wp.me/p2ex1V-5Y << gave my props to you for introducing it to me!
Jess says
Oh my gahhh, yours looks amaz
Allie says
Made it, ate it, and it was GREAT!
Jess says
Yayyyyyyy!!!!!!!!
MoonCountry says
Hey hermosas, this is a great healthy recipe, I am making it tonight (with lentils instead of the kidney beans, thats whats in mah fridge). Only suggestion I would make is to use dried beans, and cook them yourselves. Allegedly cans leach chems into the food they hold, no bueno. It’s an extra step and will take a little bit more time, but the added health benefits are well worth it 😉 a bag a beans goes quite a long way, and for a momma on a budget, beans end up being a healthy tasty addition to means a lot during the week! Alright, that’s my two cents, passing this recipe around to my friends and fam right now. looking forward to the chashew mac n cheese recipe!
Jess says
Awesome! I agree dried is always best, unfortunately I didn’t have the time to soak when I made this but that’s great if you did!
Diane says
I agree with MoonCountry, I only use dried beans and this looks soooo good I have `to try it. I love chili the way. I”m 69 yrs young and retired so I have time to cook the beans
June says
Hi Jess, thanks for a great recipe. made it and I’m in love. Def will make again. Soon.
Jess says
That’s great! thanks for the note. I’m glad you liked it =)
T says
I made this and it came out absolutely delicious. I thought i would miss the meat but i didn’t because it was so hearty and filling!
Jess says
yesssss!!!! so glad you liked it T!! =)
Jen says
Made it… My kids knocked it without trying it but got hooked by dinner time lol. Very yummy.
Lauren says
This has become my go-to baseline chili recipe. I add a chopped sweet potato, about a teaspoon of cacao powder, and lots of chopped kale toward the end of cooking, and it’s stellar!
amaka says
chilli powder missing in written recipe!
Delicious Brown says
I discovered you about a week ago and I’ve fallen in love with your recipes. It’s like eating soul food but with a healthy twist. I followed your directions but instead of a regular pot, I used a pressure cooker and had delicious food in no time. I’m loving this vegetarian lifestyle! You girls rock!!
Wendy says
aww thanks so much! so happy to hear people actually make this stuff lol
Darilne says
Ooh, I’m gonna try this one out, looks delicious! Right now I’m experimenting with tofu, hope it turns out good 🙂
Wendy says
good luck in the kitchen!
sade says
hi, do you drain the beans before adding them?
Wendy says
yes! if using canned beans you wash and drain them. if using dried beans, after soaking, drain and add.
DC says
Hey Wendy and Jesse! Came across your Youtube channel and i must say i am a fan. i find it great that you support and promote farmers markets . How do you guys feel about GMOs ? Are you guys supporters of the NON GMOs project ?
Wendy says
We’re not fans of GMO food, but unfortunately it can be hard to access certain GMO-free foods (especially if you live in a community with limited resources). To make things more simple for folks, our motto is plant-based, local, (and if possible) organic.
Erin Jones says
Do you rinse the beans or leave the water to make the liquid in the chilli?
Wendy says
rinse the beans!
Nora says
i just tried it and it came out really good! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!
Wendy says
yay! so happy to hear that 🙂
matty d says
love dem beans
Mon says
YUM!!!! Just made this for dinner. So delicious. Thank you ladies <3
Wendy says
you’re so welcome!
suzette says
yum yummy!