Delicious and comforting with a touch of spice. This Vegan Lentil Chilli is such an easy slow cooker meal that is packed full of flavour. You definitely won’t miss the meat!
Making a lifestyle change
Over the past few months, I have been making a conscious effort to step up what I am doing to help the environment.
I’ve always been an enthusiastic re-cycler (that phrase might catch on!) but I’ve been finding ways to do that bit more. As well as recycling I am trying to reduce the amount of plastic I use; especially single use plastic.
Aside from recycling, Mr Curly and I have also decided to try and eat less meat. This will be a pretty big change, especially for Mr Curly. Up until very recently he would consider a meal to be missing something without meat.
This meant that for lunch and dinner each day, there would be some kind of meat involved. I wasn’t sure how long he would last with wanting to eat less meat but so far we’re doing really well!
If food is flavoursome you won’t miss the meat
If food is packed full of flavour, you definitely won’t miss the meat in my opinion. In fact the first time I made this, Mr Curly didn’t notice it wasn’t meat.
As well as the flavour from the spices, I have used lots of beans and lentils. This makes this chilli feel substantial and filling. I think it also gives it a similar texture to minced beef.
Beans and lentils provide an excellent source of protein, lots of flavour and a great texture to this chilli.
If you would still prefer a meat option, check out my Chilli Con Carne and Skinny Slow Cooker Turkey Chilli.
How spicy is this Vegan Lentil Chilli?
The recipe as written below is medium heat I would say. Beans and lentils can be a little bland so I think they always benefit from some spice.
I have used my favourite chilli powders for this Vegan Lentil Chilli as well as some chipotles in adobo sauce. The chipotles in adobo are spicier than the other chillies so go easy on these or leave them out altogether if you want it to be milder.
Adjust the heat by adding more or less chilli to suit your tastes. Remember to always add a little at first because you can always add more later.
If you don’t have the chilli powders I have used, just use what you have.
Which beans and lentils are recommended to use?
I have always added kidney beans in chilli sauce to my chilli recipes. I’ll let you into a little secret – I’m not a huge fan of kidney beans!
I’ve always added them to my chilli because this is what my Mum did, and because the chilli sauce they come in adds a lovely flavour to the finished dish.
I like them when they are nice and soft which is why slow cooking them works so well.
I also add a tin of rinsed black beans. They are such a staple ingredient in Mexican cooking and although this recipe isn’t authentic; I have taken inspiration from there.
Finally, I added some rinsed split red lentils. After a quick rinse these are ready to be added straight to the slow cooker. You don’t have to soak them beforehand.
If you want to swap any of the beans or lentils, feel free; these are just my preferred choices.
Can you taste the chocolate?
The dark chocolate doesn’t make the chilli taste of chocolate, it just adds a depth of flavour. Definitely don’t skip the chocolate!
Mexican chocolate is a common ingredient in Mexican cuisine for recipes such as mole. Mexican chocolate isn’t readily available here in the UK. Instead I recommend using dark chocolate with a high cocoa percentage.
The high cocoa percentage is what adds the depth of flavour to the chilli. You couldn’t use milk chocolate instead as this has too much sugar and a much lower cocoa percentage.
Does this chilli freeze well?
Yes it freezes really well. Make sure you put it in the freezer within two hours of it finishing cooking. Keep it in the freezer for up to three months.
When you would like to eat it, leave it in the fridge to defrost for eight hours or overnight.
I prefer to reheat the chilli in a pan so you can make any changes like adding a splash more water if needed. You can also reheat in the microwave if you prefer.
Make sure it it piping hot before serving.
Vegan, dairy free and gluten free
When I was developing this lentil chilli recipe, my intention was to make it vegetarian. When I finished tweaking it and got it to how I wanted it to be, it turned out to be vegan too.
I wasn’t sure if it was going to be vegan at first because of the dark chocolate. But most dark chocolate is naturally vegan, so perfect for this recipe.
And if that wasn’t good enough, it is also dairy free and gluten free too! The perfect meal to feed lots of dietary needs.
What to serve with this Vegan Lentil Chilli
Personally, I like to serve chilli with rice. I think this is quite common in the UK, but maybe not so common in the US!
As well as rice, I also like to serve some tortilla chips alongside for some added crunch. Check the packet but these should be vegan.
Guacamole, dairy free sour cream and vegan cheese would also make delicious additions. A scattering of spring onions and coriander finish it off nicely!
Other recipes you might like
- Sweet Potato & Chickpea Curry (Vegan)
- Vegetable & Red Lentil Curry
- Easy Vegan Bolognese
- Vegan Chocolate Orange Loaf Cake
- Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Cupcakes
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Vegan Lentil Chilli
Delicious and comforting with a touch of spice. This Vegan Lentil Chilli is such an easy slow cooker meal that is packed full of flavour. You definitely won't miss the meat!
Ingredients
- 1 onion diced
- 400g tin kidney beans in chilli sauce
- 400g tin black beans (rinsed)
- 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
- 2 peppers diced
- 1 tbsp tomato puree
- 3 garlic cloves diced
- 1 tsp chipotles in adobo sauce (optional)
- ½ tsp chipotle chilli powder
- ½ tsp ancho chilli powder
- ½ tsp ancho chilli flakes
- 1 tbsp Mexican oregano
- 1 red chilli sliced
- 200 g red split lentils rinsed in cold water
- 300 ml vegetable stock
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 30 g dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa)
Instructions
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Add all of the ingredients apart from the dark chocolate to the slow cooker. Stir thoroughly.
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Cook on high for 6 hours. Break the dark chocolate into chunks and add it to the slow cooker. Stir through and allow to cook for another 30 minutes to 1 hour until the lentils are completely cooked
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Serve with boiled rice
Recipe Notes
I use a 3.5L slow cooker.
If the chilli starts looking dry, add a splash more water.
Nutritional information is given as a guide only and may vary.
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Monika Dabrowski says
Looks lovely, I adore Mexican style food with lots of beans and chilli!
Curly says
Thanks Monika. This is packed with loads of beans and lentils 🙂
Julia Frey says
What a lovely looking dinner and I am a huge fan of lentils, so I am sure I would love it!
Curly says
I’m very new to lentils and am loving them! I will definitely be making more recipes with them.
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food says
Whoa, this is like deja vu! I have exactly the same challenges with the hubster, who I like to call an obligate carnivore. So far, we are to ONE vegetarian meal and ONE pescatarian meal per week. I applaud you on TWO!! And I’m so glad to read your honest assessment of Quorn: I’ve been about to buy it, but I know now that it’s going to flop with my lot! But LENTILS are a meat replacement I can totally get behind. I’ve pulled this trick on the hubster, and he admitted that he didn’t really miss the meat. I definitely have to give your Vegan Lentil Chilli a try. Looks gorgeous, too!
Curly says
Haha! I’ve managed to sneak in a few more than two so far. We’ve been having 2 veggie meals at the weekend and maybe another one during the week too. You may really like quorn, I know a lot of people do. It’s just not for me unfortunately. Lentils are going to be my new favourite ingredient! Thanks Michelle 🙂
Midge @ Peachicks' Bakery says
Looks beautiful! Gorgeous photos and I bet it tastes amazing! Lentils are about the only meat replacement my hubby will eat so he would like this! We can’t eat the quorn or other minces anyway because of egg/soy allergies but there is no way he would touch them! Fussy men honestly! LOL! Thanks for sharing #CookBlogShare
Curly says
I’m with your husband on this! Quorn is not for me at all! Thank you 🙂
Jacqui Bellefontaine says
Looks very tasty
Curly says
Thanks 🙂
Mandy says
This sounds lovely. I make chilli a lot but I don’t usually add lentils to it. Will have to give this a try.
Curly says
They helped thicken the chilli and also helped give a meaty texture.
Nickki says
This chilli looks so warming and delicious – perfect for cold weather days!
Curly says
Thank you, it really is! Very comforting.
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says
YUM! I do love a good lentil chilli. Eb x
Curly says
Me too! Thanks Eb.
Mayuri Patel says
I too hate quorn. Lentils are so versatile that one can create a dish with flavors from any part of the world. The lentil chili is a good recipe, filling and healthy too. Chocolate definitely caught my attention.
Curly says
I’m so glad I’m not the only one! I’m loving lentils at the moment and can’t wait to use them more. Ooh I’ve got to put chocolate in a chilli!
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
This looks so good and sounds like it passed the taste test with flying colours! Always a good sign!
Curly says
Yes! I was so pleased 🙂
ElaineSherrin says
I shall give this a try as an alternative to my normal meat chilli. It sounds really tasty and a healthy option.
Curly says
It is so much healthier than meat chilli and just as tasty 🙂
Michelle - Lost in Food says
Looks fab Cat! I do love a chilli that is bean based, sometimes I just don’t want the extra meat content. Happily devour this – with or without coriander! 🙂
Curly says
Haha I really wish I liked coriander! You don’t need meat with all of the beans and lentils!
Melissa Altman-Traub says
This looks very good with the chipotle peppers and ancho chili flakes: lots of layers of spice!
Curly says
Chipotle and ancho are two of my favourite chillies. They add so much flavour!
Mayuri Patel says
You’re so right, if veggie food is delicious one will not miss meat. Like the protein rich chilli with not only red and black beans but lentils too. Nutritious and filling. Bookmarking this recipe.
Curly says
Thanks Mayuri. So many nutritious beans and lentils make this chilli even better 🙂
Lesley says
What a lovely bowl of chilli, a vegetable based chilli is always my favourite. I love that this recipe is packed full with beans and vegetables.
Curly says
Thanks Lesley, it is definitely packed full of them!