PrintEasy & Hearty Black Bean Chili for Weeknight Dinners
This is a simple, satisfying black bean chili recipe. It is packed with flavor, uses pantry staples, and comes together quickly, making it perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional toppings: avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir constantly and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the rinsed black beans, diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato sauce, and vegetable broth.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let it cook for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to combine. For a deeper flavor, simmer for 30 to 40 minutes.
- Stir in the salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve the hearty chili hot with your favorite toppings. This recipe is excellent for meal prep.
Notes
- For a thicker chili, mash about one cup of the beans against the side of the pot before simmering.
- If you want a smoky flavor chili, increase the smoked paprika to 1 teaspoon.
- This recipe is naturally vegetarian and gluten free. To make it vegan, skip dairy toppings like cheese and sour cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Fiber: 18
- Protein: 17
- Cholesterol: 0