Hearty Lentil Chili

Hearty Lentil Chili

a vegan take on my favorite chili recipe

Recipe by
Reviewed by Arturs Arnicans
Prep Time: 5m
Cook Time: 1h 10m
Total Time: 1h 15m
Servings: 8
Difficulty: Easy
5.0 (11 Reviews)
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Ingredients

Adjust servings:

Nutritional Information

204
Calories
986 mg
Sodium
4 g
Fat
34 g
Carbohydrates
8 g
Protein
8 g
Fiber
Hearty Lentil Chili

Recipe Description

A vegan friend of mine challenged me to make a one of my famous chilis that she could eat and so this Hearty Lentil Chili recipe was born! I am a big fan of chili (as you know if you’ve read some of my recipes!). I was delighted when this meat free version worked out so well!

Start by cooking red lentils in water. As the lentils cook, start to make the sauce by sautéing onion and jalapeños and adding seasonings like paprika and chipotle powder. Add vinegar, tomatoes, maple syrup, brown sugar, and garlic and simmer the sauce until it thickens. Drain the lentils and mix them with the sauce. Serve with rice or vegan cornbread. Yum!

To make Hearty Lentil Chili, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for Hearty Lentil Chili

Recipe Features

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Steps to make

  1. 1

    Cook the lentils

    35 min
    Step 1 - Hearty Lentil ChiliStep 1 - Hearty Lentil Chili

    Place the lentils in a large pot. Cover them with around 2 inches of water and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 35 minutes until the lentils are tender.

  2. 2

    Pour out the fat

    8 min
    Step 2 - Hearty Lentil Chili

    As the lentils cook, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion and jalapeños for about 5-8 minutes until the onion is translucent.

  3. 3

    Add the seasonings and tomato paste

    2 min
    Step 3 - Hearty Lentil Chili

    Mix in the chili powder, cumin, paprika, chipotle, cayenne, sriracha, and tomato paste. Continue to cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

  4. 4

    Add sauce ingredients and simmer

    30 min
    Step 4 - Hearty Lentil ChiliStep 4 - Hearty Lentil Chili

    Mix in the vinegar and pour in 1 cup of water, diced tomatoes, maple syrup, brown sugar, and garlic. Turn down the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.

  5. 5

    Mix the lentils with the sauce

    1 min
    Step 5 - Hearty Lentil Chili

    Combine the sauce with the drained lentils.

  6. 6

    Serve

    1 min
    Step 6 - Hearty Lentil Chili

    I like to serve this lentil chili with steamed rice but you could use tortillas or vegan cornbread if you prefer.

This Hearty Lentil Chili is a great recipe to make if you have a vegan friend coming around. Try it soon and come back to leave a comment telling me what you think.

About the author

Jeff O'connor

Jeff is a 38-year-old bachelor who prefers not to waste his time on salads and light meals. He’s a true carnivore who knows how to enjoy food to the max! Jeff will tell you how to cook rich and filling meals from scratch, bringing some real meaty decadence to your kitchen. His recipes are sure to satisfy every meat lover!

Recipe Reviews

Have you made this recipe? Share your experience and help other cooks!

★★★★★
★★★★★
5.0 out of 5 (11 reviews)
Paula Johnson
April 28, 2024
Verified

So deliciously hearty!

Vanessa
October 3, 2023
Verified

Delicious vegan chili. I made it for my friend’s birthday and she loved it. Never thought lentils could taste so good. Proud of this recipe.

Jessica Green
April 13, 2023
Verified

I tried the Hearty Lentil Chili for a potluck after my vegan friend asked me to. Honestly, I was proud how well it turned out! The flavors blended perfectly, and everyone loved it. My new go-to recipe for sure!

Fiona
December 18, 2021
Verified

I made this for my vegan friend and it turned out superb! So simple yet so delicious, loved it.

Uma Johnson
September 15, 2021
Verified

I made this Hearty Lentil Chili for my family and they loved it. My hubby usually goes for meat, but he couldn't tell it was vegan. I added some extra spice, and it was a smash hit at our game night. So glad I can share my chili passion with everyone now

Tommy
January 26, 2021
Verified

Superb!

Zach
November 9, 2020
Verified

Tasty and delightful!

Ethan
November 2, 2020
Verified

This Hearty Lentil Chili was a huge hit! It’s super easy and my kids loved it. A family favorite now!

Ursula
September 27, 2020
Verified

I made this on a rainy Sunday after my friend suggested. My whole family loved it, even my kids.

Tommy
May 12, 2020
Verified

I made this for my family last night, and everyone loved it! The flavors are simply great. My vegan friend was so proud of me.

Athina
December 24, 2019
Verified

Well done! Verified!

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