• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
To Simply Inspire
  • About
    • Contact
    • Press
  • Recipe Index
  • By Course
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Main Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups and Stews
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • By Course
  • Holidays
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • By Course
    • Holidays
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • About
    • Contact
    • Press
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Easy Lentil Chili

    Easy Lentil Chili

    Published: Jan 4, 2022 · Modified: Jan 18, 2022 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    121 shares
    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe
    white bowl full of chili with sliced jalapenos, shredded cheese and sour cream

    Lentil Chili is wholesome, hearty, delicious, and made with lentils instead of the traditional ground beef for a meatless version the whole family will devour!

    A good hearty bowl of classic chili will always have my heart but what’s incredible about chili is you can customize ingredients to make it your own! White chicken chili or butternut squash chili are two others I make that are so different from each other and yet they’re all so easy, and perfect for dinner any day of the week!

    white bowl full of lentil chili topped with shredded cheese, sour cream and sliced jalapenos

    Table of contents

    • Meatless Chili with Lentils
    • Why we love this recipe
    • Ingredients list
    • How to Make this Chili Recipe
    • Variations/ Substitutions
    • Tips
    • FAQ’s
      • Other Recipes

    Meatless Chili with Lentils

    Chili has always been one of my favorite easy comfort meals to make, especially during the winter months. It’s basically a one-pot meal where anything goes! I mean, what other dish can use such a variety of ingredients, flavors, and spices and be so unique to whoever makes it, and still be delicious every time?!

    This meatless version is one I whip up not only for when I’m serving vegan/vegetarian guests but also when I’m looking for a healthy, lighter alternative to red meat or when I just don’t have any in the fridge. Lentils are a great substitution for beef in chili. They’re inexpensive, packed with nutrients, and hearty texture, no one will think twice about a meatless game-day chili!

    closeup of white bowl of bean chili jalapenos, sour cream dollop, and shredded cheddar cheese

    Why we love this recipe

    • This chili doesn’t have a long-simmering time so it’s quick and easy and ready in under 1 hour.
    • It’s a one-pot meal which means easy cleanup and layering of all the flavors!
    • Chili is so versatile, in its ingredients and its uses. Play around with the types of beans, veggies, and spices. Then use the chili as a meal on its own or top your nachos, your chili cheese dog, and more!
    • This protein-packed, high fiber chili is brimming with incredible flavor.
    • Perfect for any occasion whether a potluck, Mexican night, a game day party, a cozy weekend, or a quick weeknight dinner.
    several small white and glass bowls full of ingredients for lentil chili - beans, diced onion, lentils, diced tomatoes, spices, garlic, and diced green peppers

    Ingredients list

    • Olive oil – Used to cook down the bell peppers and onions to soften them and release their flavors.
    • Aromatics – Diced onion and minced garlic clove are the base of all the flavors that are layered on top of it. I use yellow onion but a red onion is perfect too!
    • Water – The liquid component. Some might choose to use chicken stock / broth or vegetable stock / broth or even add a little beer, but with all of the other seasoning, water works just as well.
    • Tomato paste & Canned diced tomatoes – The tomato component of any classic chili. The paste thickens it a bit and gives it a deep color.
    • Bell peppers – Use red or green, whichever you prefer. Red is sweeter while green is savory (almost bitter).
    • Beans – I use a combination of red kidney beans and great northern beans. I like the contrasting colors and textures. Great northern beans are nice and buttery.
    • Lentils – Use dry lentils. Stick with green or brown as they are heartier and will hold their shape better than red or yellow lentils. The latter tend to become thicker and mushier when cooked.
    • Seasoning – Chili powder, cumin, kosher salt, dried oregano, paprika, and the option of red pepper flakes for a kick!

    How to Make this Chili Recipe

    Enjoy lentils in chili just once and they may become your new favorite way to enjoy meatless meals!

    (Slow cooker and instant pot instructions are included below).

    Step 1: Using a large Dutch oven or stockpot, cook the bell pepper and onions in a little olive oil on medium-high heat until soft and translucent before adding in the garlic and cooking for another 2-3 minutes.

    white dutch oven with diced green peppers and onions cooking

    Step 2: Add the water and tomato paste and stir it. You want to make sure the paste is fully incorporated and not clumpy.

    white dutch oven with green peppers and onions cooking in a tomato sauce

    Step 3: Pour in the diced tomatoes, lentils, chili powder, cumin, salt, paprika, oregano (and red pepper flakes if you’re using them). Bring it to a boil and reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes.

    Step 4: Add the beans and continue simmering for another 15 minutes or until the lentils are nice and tender (but not mushy!).

    white dutch oven with lentil chili cooking

    Step 5: Garnish with your favorite toppings. We love using shredded cheese, sour cream or plain yogurt, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, green onions, sliced jalapenos, and tortilla chips. If you love it extra spicy, add your favorite hot sauce.

    Set up a chili bar and have everyone serve themselves with their favorite fixings!

    lentil chili in a white dutch oven

    How to Make Lentil Chili in a Slow Cooker

    You can easily make lentil chili in a crockpot. Just simply add all the ingredients to the pot and stir to combine well. Then cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. It’s the perfect meal to have ready for you at the end of a busy day.

    How to Make Lentil Chili in an Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker

    Turn the Instant Pot onto sauté mode and add the olive oil, onions and peppers to the bottom of the pot and for about 2-3 minutes. (If adding ground beef or ground turkey, add it now and brown with the vegetables). Then, add the garlic and sauté for an additional minute.

    Add all of the remaining ingredients to the Instant Pot and stir to combine well. Place the lid on and turn to pressurize. Cook on Manual – high pressure for 10 minutes. Then let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes. Stir in additional water or broth if too thick after cooking.

    Variations/ Substitutions

    1. Substitute shallots or leeks for the onion, if preferred.
    2. If you like a more spicy lentil chili, add a diced jalapeno pepper. It’s up to you whether you want to remove all the seeds (where the heat comes from) or keep some for extra spice.
    3. Substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder for the fresh garlic.
    4. Use vegetable broth or chicken broth instead of the water if desired.
    5. Feel free to add ground beef or turkey if you prefer a non-vegan/vegetarian chili.
    6. Green lentils or brown lentils work best in this recipe, orange or red lentils tend to cook quicker and may become mushier.

    Tips

    • Add more water or broth if chili seems too thick.
    • Use plain or fire-roasted diced tomatoes for flavor.
    • A packet of chili seasoning comes in handy instead of using all the separate spices.
    • Use all kidney beans or all great northern beans instead of a blend of each.
    • Substitute black beans if you prefer.

    FAQ’s

    How to Store?

    Keep leftover chili stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make a big batch and portion it out for lunches for the week!
    It may thicken over time so you may find you need to add a bit of water or broth to thin it out when reheating.

    How to Reheat?

    You can reheat small portions in the microwave for a quick lunch or dinner. If you’ve got lots to heat up, you can use the “warm” function on the Instant Pot, you can keep it warm in a slow cooker, or simmer on the stove top over low heat until warmed through.

    Other Recipes

    If you like this recipe, please leave us a comment and rate the recipe below. You can also find us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram!

    closeup of a white bowl full of lentil chili topped cheese, sour cream and three jalapeno slices with a silver spoon on the side

    Lentil Chili

    Lentil Chili is wholesome, hearty, delicious, and made with lentils instead of the traditional ground beef for a meatless version the whole family will devour!
    5 from 3 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Chili, Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 307kcal
    Author: Sherri Hagymas

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 bell pepper green or red, diced
    • 1 small onion diced
    • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 3 cups water
    • 1 15 ounce cans diced tomatoes
    • 1 15 ounce can red kidney beans
    • 1 15 ounce can great northern beans
    • ¾ cup dry lentils
    • 2 teaspoons chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

    Instructions

    • In a dutch oven or stock pot, add the olive oil, bell pepper and onions and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until onions become soft and translucent.
    • Add in the garlic and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
    • Then, add the water and tomato paste and stir until the tomato paste is incorporated.
    • Add the diced tomatoes, lentils, chili powder, cumin, salt, paprika, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
    • Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes. If your soup begins to look too dry, feel free to add more water as needed.
    • Add the red kidney beans and great northern beans.
    • Simmer for another 15 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
    • Garnish with traditional toppings! Shredded cheese, sour cream or plain yogurt, diced avocado, sliced jalapenos, tortilla chips.

    Notes

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
    Use vegetable stock or chicken broth instead of the water if desired.
    Use canned or dry lentils.
    Use any color bell pepper you prefer – red, green, orange or yellow.
    Substitute shallots or leeks for the onion, if preferred.
    Add a diced jalapeno pepper if you prefer more heat.
    Substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder for the fresh garlic.
    Add more water or broth if chili seems to thick.
    Use plain or fire roasted diced tomatoes.
    Use any lentils you’d like, green brown, orange or red!
    Use a packet of chili seasoning if your’d like instead of all the separate spices.
    Use all kidney beans or all great northern beans instead of a blend of each. Use any beans you prefer.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 533mg | Potassium: 1013mg | Fiber: 18g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1066IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 6mg

    Nutritional Disclosure

    Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @ToSimplyInspire or tag #ToSimplyInspire!

    Sharing of this recipe to social media is both encouraged and appreciated. Please share the direct link back to the recipe. Copy/Pasting and/or screenshots of the recipe to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected

    More Recipes

    • Easy Blueberry Sauce
    • Slice of bisquick quiche on a white plate with a fork taking a bite.
      Bisquick Quiche
    • white spoon scooping apple pie spice out of a small glass jar.
      Apple Pie Spice
    • 4 slices of peach cobbler pound cake.
      Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

    Filed Under: Recipes, Soups and Stews

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Sherri Hagymas leaning on a counter with a white coffee mug

    Hi there! I’m Sherri I love creating a variety of easy recipes that anyone can make and enjoy! From healthy to comforting, I hope you find something that inspires you!.

    More about me →

    Popular Recipes

    • Closeup of Protein Waffle on a white plate topped with sliced strawberries and bananas drizzled with peanut butter.
      Protein Waffle Recipe
    • a white mug with a protein brownie and a spoon
      Amazing One Minute Protein Brownie
    • crescent roll baked with nutella on the inside and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
      Nutella Crescent Rolls
    • black bowl with cottage cheese dip with a carrot and celery
      Ranch Cottage Cheese Dip
    • southern potato salad recipe in a white bowl
      Southern Potato Salad Recipe
    • Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta recipe in a silver serving bowl
      Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Disclosure Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Shop
    • Shop My Favorites
    Copyright © 2023 To Simply Inspire
    Discloure Policy | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
    To Simply Inspire is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program
    designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.