Best 20 Lentil Chili Recipes

HEALTHY LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper. Cook until vegetables are just tender and browned in spots, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, oregano and cumin, then continue to cook until fragrant and brick-red in color, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, beans (and their liquid), lentils, bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a couple grinds of black pepper. Bring to a steady simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Partially cover with a lid and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender and the chili has thickened slightly, 35 to 45 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaf and stir in the vinegar. Season with salt and black pepper. Ladle into bowls and serve with toppings as desired.

BEEF AND LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook ground beef and onion, crumbling meat, over medium-high heat until beef is no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Add next 5 ingredients; bring to a boil. Add lentils and water. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until lentils are soft, about 1 hour, stirring often. Add water if mixture seems too dry.

VEGAN LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add the light-green scallion parts, both bell peppers, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the tomato paste, garlic, ancho chile powder, cumin and cinnamon and cook, stirring, until the tomato paste darkens in color and the garlic is softened, about 1 minute.
• Add the tomatoes and their juices, lentils, 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper to the pot and stir to combine. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the temperature and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the lentils have softened, 12 to 15 minutes. Fold in the kidney beans, butternut squash and agave syrup and cook, stirring once or twice, until the squash is heated through, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Serve the chili in bowls and garnish with the radish, jalapeno, avocado, pepitas and dark-green scallion parts as desired.

BLACK BEAN, LENTIL AND EGGPLANT CHILI

Steps:

• Put the black beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water; set aside to soak overnight, then drain.
• Combine the soaked black beans, 2 pasilla chiles, the bay leaves and half of the garlic in a large wide pot and add enough water to cover by 3 inches. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until soft, about 1 1/2 hours; remove from the heat and set aside.
• Meanwhile, add the remaining 2 pasilla chiles and the cascabel and chipotle chiles to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, the chopped dried chiles and the cumin and saute until the chiles are soft, about 7 minutes. Add the remaining garlic and the poblano and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 more minutes. Add the eggplant, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 8 minutes.
• Add the crushed and diced tomatoes, 4 cups water, the bouillon and green lentils to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are almost tender, about 30 minutes.
• Add the prepared black beans and their cooking liquid and simmer until the lentils are soft, about 30 more minutes. (The longer you let the chili simmer, the thicker it will get.) Season with salt and add the lime juice. Remove the whole pasilla chiles and bay leaves before serving.

LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium high heat, combine the oil, onion and garlic and saute for 5 minutes. Stir in the lentils and bulgur wheat. Add the broth, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, or until lentils are tender.

CHICKEN AND LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• In a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker, combine the first 16 ingredients. Cook, covered, on low until chicken and lentils are tender, 5-6 hours. Remove chicken; cool slightly and chop. Return chicken to slow cooker; heat through. Serve over tortilla chips and top with cheese and olives, if desired.Freeze option: Freeze cooled soup mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; if necessary, add a little water.

TURKEY-LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• Bring lentils and vegetable broth to a boil in a large pot over high heat. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the garlic, onion, celery, and sausage; cook and stir until the sausage is crumbly and no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, turmeric, cumin, thyme, and red pepper flakes; cook 5 minutes more.
• Stir the sausage mixture into the simmering lentils. Continue simmering until the lentils are tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt. Garnish each serving with a dollop of yogurt and a sprinkle of chopped parsley to serve.

VEGETARIAN LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• In a large pot, combine undrained tomatoes, rinsed and drained beans, 3 cups water, green peppers, onions, dry lentils, chili powder, and garlic powder.
• Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
• Simmer, covered, 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, and 1/8 tsp black pepper; heat through.
• Serve with cheese and tortilla chips, if desired.

SKYLINE LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• Mix chili powder, garlic powder, unsweetened chocolate, cinnamon, cumin, salt, cayenne pepper, allspice, cloves, and bay leaf together in a bowl until seasoning mix is well combined.
• Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat; cook and stir onions and green bell pepper until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add vegetable broth and lentils; simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in seasoning mix, tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce; simmer for 1 hour more, adding water if chili gets too thick.
• Remove bay leaf from chili. Blend chili using an immersion blender until desired consistency is reached.

LENTIL-BEEF CHILI

Steps:

• Heat heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until beef is brown, crumbling with fork, about 5 minutes. Drain well. Heat oil in heavy 3-quart saucepan over medium-high. Add onion and next 5 ingredients. Sauté until onion is tender, about 8 minutes.
• Add beef, lentils and next 8 ingredients to saucepan. Cover and simmer until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally, about 1 1/2 hours. Stir in Parmesan. Simmer, uncovered, until mixture is thick, about 15 minutes. Serve, passing sour cream separately.

LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook turkey over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until lentils are tender.

CARROT AND LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender, 4-5 minutes. Add lentils and garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Transfer to a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. Stir in carrots, broth and seasonings. Cook, covered, on low 4-6 hours or until vegetables and lentils are tender. , Stir in crushed tomatoes; cook, covered, 30 minutes longer. Serve with avocados and, if desired, sour cream, red onion and additional paprika., Freeze Option: Freeze cooled chili in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add a little broth or water if necessary.

GROUND CHICKEN AND LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• In a medium pot heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onions and saute until onions are translucent, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add chili powder, paprika, pepper flakes, cayenne, cumin and coriander. Saute, stirring constantly, for 2 additional minutes.
• Add chicken, stir and mash with wooden spoon to break into fine pieces. cook until evenly browned, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Stir in lentils, broth, tomatoes, oregano, salt, sugar and pepper. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cover. Stir occasionally; cook until lentils are tender and chili is think, about 30 minutes. Add more broth if lentils absorb all liquid.

PRESSURE-COOKER ANDOUILLE LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• Select saute or browning setting on a 6-qt. electric pressure cooker; adjust for medium heat. Cook and stir sausage, onion and green pepper with 3 tablespoons water until vegetables are caramelized, 6-8 minutes. Stir in remaining water and the next 8 ingredients., Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 15 minutes. Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes; quick-release any remaining pressure. If desired, top with sour cream, jalapeno slices and cilantro. Freeze option: Freeze cooled chili in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add a little water if necessary.

WEIGHT WATCHERS LENTIL AND BLACK BEAN CHILI (6 POINTS)

Steps:

• Place lentils in a large sauce pan and cover with water by several inches; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until lentils are tender but retain a little bite, about 10 to 15 minutes; drain well and set aside.
• Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Cook onion, pepper and garlic, stirring often, until vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes.
• Combine chili powder, oregano, cumin, cayenne and salt; add to pot and stir well to combine. Cook, stirring often, about 1 minutes.
• Add tomatoes and their juice, and beans to pot; stir well to combine. Cover pot and simmer so flavors can blend, about 5 - 10 minutes, Fold in lentils and cilantro; serve.
• Yeilds about 1 cup per serving.

GROUND LAMB AND LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• In a medium pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and onions and saute until onions are transparent, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add chile powder, paprika, chile flakes, cayenne, cumin and coriander; saute, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes more.
• Add lamb and stir and mash constantly with a wooden spoon to break it up into very fine particles, until evenly browned, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Stir in lentils, broth, tomatoes, oregano, rosemary, salt, sugar, and pepper; bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender and chili is thick, about 30 minutes, adding some water to pot if lentils absorb all liquid before chili is done.
• Garnish with cilantro before serving.

FRENCH LENTIL AND HOMINY CHILI

Steps:

• Heat a large Dutch oven over medium high heat. When it is hot, add the oil and diced onion. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring often with a wooden spoon. Add the garlic, jalapeno, yellow and red peppers and continue to cook, stirring often, for an additional 4 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin and salt and stir until the mixture is fragrant. Add the lentils, beer, tomatoes and 1 1/4 cup water and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to medium low. Cover the pot and simmer for 25 minutes. Uncover the chili and add the hominy. Continue to cook uncovered until the chili has thickened slightly and the lentils are cooked through, about 15 minutes more. Serve topped with the cilantro, avocado and cotija cheese. Finish with a squeeze of lime if desired.

LENTIL AND QUINOA CHILI

Steps:

• 1. Heat olive oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot, add garlic and cook for a minute or until fragrant and slightly golden.
• 2. Add onion and pepper and cook for a few minutes or until onion is translucent.
• 3. Add in tomatoes, cumin, chili, cinnamon, curry powder, and pepper; bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 6-8 minutes or until tomatoes begin to break down.
• 4. Add broth, quinoa, and lentils, and bring back to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 30-40 minutes or until lentils are tender and quinoa has expanded.
• 5. Stir in black beans, kidney beans, salt and cilantro. Chili will continue to thicken.
• 6.Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Simmer a few more minutes.

LENTIL AND SWEET POTATO CHILI

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in 8 quart stock pot over high heat. Add onions and peppers and saute 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned.
• Add in the undrained tomatoes, chickpeas, lentils, vegetable stock, chili powder, cumin and oregano and cook for 45 minutes over medium heat or until the lentils are tender.
• Add in the sweet potatoes and cook for another 20 minutes or until they are tender.
• Season the soup with salt and pepper and serve hot inside dinner rolls with optional garnishes.

LENTIL CHILI WITH CHUNKY VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet on medium-high. Brown the ground beef and onions. Drain excess grease.
• Mix beef, lentils, tomatoes, carrots, garlic, salsa, cumin, chili powder, salt, beef stock, and the reserved tomato juice in a large stockpot.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 30 minutes. Add diced celery. Cook 15 minutes more, stirring occasionally or until lentils and vegetables are tender and flavors are well blended. The chili should be thick but if it becomes too thick add additional beef stock OR tomato juice to achieve the desired consistency.
• Taste and adjust seasonings for desired level of heat. Different brands of chili powder vary in both heat and richness so adjustment is almost always necessary.
• Serve topped with shredded cheese. Garnish with sour cream and green chilis if desired. Pass the hot sauce at the table.
• Note:I prefer Franks for flavor without excessive fire. Others prefered Tropical Pepper Co.'s Scotch Bonnet sauce for excessive fire.