This Gal Cooks

20 Minute Easy Vegan Lentil Chili

Vegan Lentil Chili

Here’s to being lazy and not wanting to do anything at. all. after work. That’s exactly how I felt last night. I managed to take my dog for a walk around the neighborhood but after that, I laid around on the couch. I finally made myself something to eat around 8pm. Such a slacker I am. I really had no motivation to do anything last night, not even to write this post. But I gave myself a little internal pep talk so I could write this post and share this lentil chili with you.

So let’s talk about danger in the kitchen. Haha. I could make a TV show about that. DANGER…In the Kitchen. Catchy. Of all the minor injuries I’ve received in the past few months, most of them occurred while I was in my kitchen. Who the heck burns themselves on a slow cooker? ME. I burned myself on my slow cooker on Thanksgiving while I was making sweet potatoes. Who the heck almost chops off the side of their finger while trying to cut a lime in half? ME. I gave myself a pretty nasty cut over the weekend while trying to cut a lime in half. A freaking lime. That little sucka rolled when I tried to slice it and instead of slicing it, I sliced my index finger. Expletives ensued. Bandaids and Neosporin were sought out. I had to endure the uncomfortable feeling of trying to complete tasks while wearing a bandaid on my index finger.

Vegan Lentil Chili

Easy Vegan Lentil Chili

But enough about kitchen disasters. Let’s talk kitchen wins. This lentil chili is a total kitchen win. It was born on a night that I was almost too lazy to write down the recipe and take the photos. All I wanted to do was throw stuff in a pot, cook and then eat. But a little pep talk happened and I made myself write down the recipe and take some photos. I’m so happy that I did. This lentil chili is delicious and it only took 2o short minutes to make! It’s healthy and vegan, too.

20 Minute Easy Lentil Chili

20 Minute Easy Lentil Chili

Yield: 6 cups

This simple and delicious vegetarian lentil chili is ready to devour in 2o short minutes. Make it your own by topping with your favorite cheese, low fat sour cream and herbs!

Ingredients

  • 2 15oz cans of lentils, drained and rinsed
  • 1 16oz can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 14.5oz can of spicy red pepper diced tomatoes
  • 1 15oz can of tomato sauce
  • 1 4 oz can of diced green chilis
  • 1 small sweet red pepper, chopped
  • 1 small orange pepper, chopped
  • 1/3 C diced sweet onion
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 packet of all natural taco seasoning or 4 tbsp homemade taco seasoning

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, peppers and garlic and saute until tender, about 2-3 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Serve in bowls and top with your favorite toppings.
Nutrition Information:

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 230 Total Fat: 0g Sodium: 1213mg Carbohydrates: 42g Sugar: 8g Protein: 14g

Vegan Lentil Chili

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60 comments on “20 Minute Easy Vegan Lentil Chili”

  1. I’m the worst with kitchen injuries! I grated the side of my thumb on Saturday when I was trying to grate cheese and it STILL hurts. Ugh.

    This looks so delicious! Lentils and pintos are my favorite beans so I know I’d love it!

  2. If you are using lentils from a bag do you just cook them first?
    Looks delicious!

    • Hi Brittany! Thank you! Yes, you would just cook them according to package directions first and then use them in the chili once they are done cooking. You could use a kitchen scale to weigh them in ounces to get the same amount as 2 cans or measure about 3 1/2 to 4 cups of lentils if you don’t have a scale. If you give it a try, stop by to let me know how it turns out!

  3. I totally get this whole post. Sometimes getting motivated is tough, I am kind of an all or nothing kind of girl. I also seem to always have a cut or burn on my hands from the kitchen… you think I would learn. Beautiful soup. Sharing now!

    • Thanks for sharing, Amy! I was feeling lazy again today after work. And tired. I think I just need to get to bed early tonight and then maybe I’ll have more motivation tomorrow. Hope you have a great week and thanks for stopping by!

  4. I’m going through a serious lazy phase right now and this is right up my alley!

  5. I am forever grating my thumb whenever I grate cheese! Ugh! Now this chili I would be happy to eat. We adore lentils especially my little one.

  6. I love lentils although I order them when we are out but I haven’t ever made them. This recipe gave me the inspiration that I needed!

    • They’re so easy to make! I’ve used dried lentils and cooked them in my crockpot. Worked great! For quick and easy, I prefer the canned ones. You should give them a try at home sometime, Chandra! :)

  7. 20 minute chili? I’m in LOVE! This looks amazing Julie!

  8. This is vegetarian?? I never would have guessed from the pics. It looks so hearty! I’m so sorry about your injuries, girl! Hope you heal up real soon ;)

    • Sure is! It’s like impostor chili. It only looks thick and meaty. But it’s thick and lentil-y and full of beans. SO good! Thanks for stopping by, Allie. Haha, I hope all of my kitchen battle injuries heal soon, too. :)

  9. l can be such a klutz in the kitchen some days and have been feeling lazy and tired lately too. This easy 20 minute chili is just what I need! It looks so hearty and delicious!

    • I totally fell asleep on my couch after I got home from work today. I’m completely worn out! Thanks for stopping by, Kelly. I hope you enjoy the chili if you give it a try!

  10. Vegetarian?! Love it.

    btw, I am loving this new layout! So clean!

  11. Looks good! I’m a fan of lentils & chili, but haven’t put the two together. Good idea!

    • Oh you must put them together and try all of their yummy-ness, David! Seriously, best chili I’ve made in a while. I’ve already picked up ingredients to make it again. :) Thanks for stopping by!

  12. This is such a great recipe, so quick and healthy! LOVE!!!

  13. This is THE perfect game day recipe! This recipe came over on my Bloglovin feed and I’d love it if you would share it at my Tuesday link party, Tickle My Tastebuds
    Cheers,

    Lori

  14. This looks wonderful. I’m always on the hunt for good stews and soups this time of the year and I love this one with a Tex-Mex flair. Thanks for sharing.

  15. I would LOVE to curl up all warm on the couch with a bowl of this chili! It looks so yummy and hearty!! Pinned :)

  16. I have that lazy meh feeling October through April here in Holland :) It’s so dark (the sun’s out from 9 am till 330 pm) and doing anything after work feels like a total chore.

    But. I. Have. These. Ingredients(!)

    • Whoa. That’s kinda crazy, 9 – 3:30?! I can’t imagine! I get annoyed when the time changes here, resulting in it getting dark at 5:45pm.I should be thankful for daylight until 5:45, right?!

  17. I hear you about not wanting to do anything after work! Especially when the winter rolls around, I’m a big ‘ole couch potato! This lentil chili looks like the perfect weeknight dish, Julie! I definitely have to try adding in lentils the next time I make chili. Sounds delish!

    • I have never been in extremely cold weather – the coldest I’ve experienced is about 18 degrees. I can only imagine that I’d be a big huge couch potato if it was cold all the time here in FL! Hope you enjoy the chili if you give it a try, Gayle!

  18. Lazy is exactly how I’ve felt all week! Monday night I pretty much went home and parked myself on the couch with my laptop and didn’t really move. I’m trying to get more productive as the week continues :) I definitely need to add this lentil chili to my weeknight menu!

    • I’m still feeling so lazy, Ashley! I need to snap out of it fast. Hope you are able to snap out of it as well. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoy the chili if you give it a try!

  19. Oh yes, I certainly know that lazy feeling – I get it nearly every work evening! (and some weekend evenings too if truth be known) … soooo I get excited about any simple tasty-looking meal like this. I’d like to try making a veggie chili actually because I love the meat ones but I always end up feeling like I’ve had a ‘naughty’ meal afterwards :-)

    • Haha, I know that feeling. I feel the same way after eating the heavy meat chilis, too. And about that lazy feeling – I’m still feeling it 100%. Gah! I hope I snap out of it soon. Thanks for stopping by, Helen!

  20. I sliced my finger last week too!! Chopping goddamn onions with a new set of knives. Dislike them strongly right now. Anyways, this chilli looks amazing!! I need more ways to eat lentils.

    • Gah! OMG, I can can you imagine if we were both working in the kitchen together? We’d create CHAOS! Thanks for stopping by and for the compliment too, Zaianb! ♥︎

  21. Yum! This is the kind of comfort food I need in my life right now.

  22. This is perfect for winter weeknights! I love that this is vegan too. xo

  23. i made this as a quick meal last night and it surprised me! The flavours were perfect after I added some personal touches with cumin and chili powder. I also added ground beef with taco seasoning. I will definitely make this again :)

  24. This chili looks really good and I love that it’s done in under 20 minutes!!! My husband loves lentils, so this is a must-try! Oh, and I just burned my chin on a cookie sheet the other day, random, I know. It’s been fun explaining to people how I got the nice red bar across it :D

    • Oh wow, haha. I haven’t burned my face with any cooking utensils – yet! But the way I am in the kitchen, it will probably happen one day. ;) Hope you enjoy this chili if you give it a try, Natalie!

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  28. As we move into fall I’m looking forward to chili and soups. Thanks for sharing on To Grandma’s House We Go!

  29. I’m loving all the soups and chilis I’m seeing – it means fall is almost here! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party!

  30. Your vegan chili looks amazing. Thanks for sharing your recipe at the inspiration spotlight party. Pinned and sharing. See you again soon.

  31. 2i0 minutes, wow! How fabulous is that? Thanks for sharing with SYC.

    hugs,

    Jann

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  34. Easy and delicious, my kind of chili and a great time to have a nice bowl of delicious chili! Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday!
    Miz Helen

    Rating: 5
  35. OH how yummy! I love eating chili, especially in the cooler months.  I love that this is vegan too! Thanks for sharing with Thursday Favorite Things – I’ll be featuring you tomorrow! Angelina at Petite Haus

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