Easy Vegetarian Quinoa Chili With Lentils Recipe (2024)

A quick and easy vegetarian chili recipe.

There are tons of vegetarian chili recipes out there. In fact, I’d say it’s one of the easiest meals to render meatless. Chili is hearty and chunky by nature, so it’s easy enough to simply swap out the meat and replace it with extra beans and veggies for a meatless version. However, this vegetarian quinoa chili recipe really takes things to the next level.

While some vegetarian recipes just cut the meat, this super healthy, super easy quinoa chili recipe doesn’t stop there. This clean and simple vegetarian chili boosts its nutritional and flavor profile with powerful (and tasty) superfoods like quinoa and lentils. Healthier and easier than your traditional chili, this vegetarian quinoa chili recipe is still just as rich, delicious, and comforting.

Chili sin Carne

My parents, who are apparently overwhelmingly ignorant of the Spanish language, once thought “chili con carne” meant “chili with corn.” They were genuinely surprised when, after a few elementary school-level Spanish classes, I corrected them.

Being generally carnivorous in their tastes, I guess they just assumed it went without saying that all chili was chili “with meat.” In their minds, there could be no alternative.

Of course, there is an alternative. In fact, there are many alternatives. But of all the meatless chili recipes out there, this vegetarian quinoa chili recipe is by far my favorite.

In my not-so-humble opinion, quinoa makes everything better. It adds subtle flavor, texture, and big-time health and nutritional benefits to any recipe. In this meatless chili recipe, quinoa helps beef up (not literally of course) some of the hearty texture that I often find missing in other vegetarian chili recipes.

Hearty, filling, and super clean, you really can’t go wrong with this chili con quinoa (no translation needed).

Did I Mention it’s Easy?

We all know there are tons of benefits to going meatless, even if it’s just on a part-time basis. One extra bonus you may not have considered? Meatless recipes almost always save you cooking time.

Growing up, I remember chili was a weekends only meal because it took such a long time to cook.

Ready in only forty minutes, this vegetarian quinoa chili recipe is easy enough to whip up on any weeknight. But with all the same hearty chili flavor you love, this healthy meal tastes just like weekend comfort food.

This chili is rich, flavorful, and filling all on its own, but that’s never stopped me from dressing it up a bit with some of my favorite toppings. Remember when I said quinoa makes everything better? Yeah, that’s true of sour cream too. Try this chili with some of my favorite toppings below. And if you have your own favorites, be sure to let me know in the comments!

Optional Toppings:

Check out this video to see how to make the recipe:

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Easy Vegetarian Quinoa Chili With Lentils Recipe

This vegetarian chili is easy to make plus its gluten and guilt-free.

Review Recipe PIN RECIPE Print Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Yield 6 people

Serving Size

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion medium, diced
30 ounces black beans cans, drained
1 cup dry quinoa rinsed
1/2 cup dry green lentils rinsed (note: green lentils are packed with fiber)
3 tablespoons chili powder heaping tablespoons
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon sea salt more or less to taste
4 ounces diced green chiles can
6 ounces tomato paste can
15 ounces diced tomatoes can, with juice
1 cup tomato juice
4 cups water more or less depending on desired thickness

Instructions

In a large pot add oil and onions, over medium-low heat, saute until onions are tender, about 6 minutes.
Add the remaining ingredients, stir, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a low-boil, cover but leave the lid slightly ajar.
Cook chili for 30 minutes or until lentils are tender.
Garnish with sour cream and green onions.

Nutrition Information

SmartPoints (Freestyle): 7

Keywords dairy-free, Gluten-Free, High Protein, Plant-Based, Vegetarian

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More Vegetarian Quinoa Recipes:

Easy Vegan Eggplant Parmesan Over Quinoa

Generally speaking, eggplant parm is a healthier option as far as Italian food goes. Serve this vegan recipe over quinoa instead of pasta, and you’ve got a clean dish to satisfy all your Italian cravings.

Quinoa Salad Recipe

A tasty, go-to quinoa salad recipe. Fresh and zesty, the perfect summer salad.

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Easy Vegetarian Quinoa Chili With Lentils Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you cook different types of lentils together? ›

As I noted above, I like to use a mix of lentils such as petite French green lentils, which hold their shape, along with red, brown or yellow lentils, which quickly dissolve to mush, but experiment with what you have on hand and tailor to your liking.

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Is quinoa a lentil? ›

Quinoa is technically a seed, even though it is often referred to as pseudograin. It takes just 15 minutes to cook and is gluten-free. In addition, it is an excellent source of protein and iron. Green or brown lentils: Unlike red lentils, these lentils hold their shape when cooked.

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What color lentils are the healthiest? ›

Best of all, black lentils are the most nutritious variety of lentils, boasting the highest amount of protein, plus high levels of calcium, potassium, and iron.

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What can I combine with lentils? ›

If you have a few root vegetables hanging out in your fridge, those are also great with lentils, like in this warm lentil and root vegetable salad with parsnips and carrots. Lentils are particularly nice with cheese, as in this grilled halloumi and lentil salad.

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Are lentils and quinoa healthy? ›

Quinoa and lentils: a powerhouse pairing

They're both iron-containing, plant-based ingredients. As a dietitian, I recommend them often to nutrition clients in my private practice who are hoping to increase their iron stores through food. Even separately, quinoa and lentils are each great sources of nutrition.

Is quinoa a protein or carb? ›

Quinoa is considered a carbohydrate because it contains many carbs per serving. Although it contains some protein, the macronutrient distribution is closer to what you find in other grains and starches.

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Can red and brown lentils be used interchangeably? ›

Red Lentils

These take about 20 minutes to cook, and when the skin of the red lentil splits, it breaks down quickly, turning mushy. This is exactly what you want when dealing with daal or sauces in need of thickening, and are more or less interchangeable with the brown and green ones.

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Do brown and red lentils cook the same? ›

Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil, add lentils. Cover, reduce heat and simmer the lentils, stirring occasionally for 15-40 minutes or until tender and fluffy textured on the inside. In general, red lentils will take 15 minutes, while brown will take 20 minutes and green lentils will take up to 40 minutes.

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Are different lentils interchangeable? ›

You can safely use yellow lentils in place of red lentils in your dishes because of their similar texture. They will become soft and disintegrate, thickening your stews, soups, and curries.

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