Description
Hearty slow cooker lentil taco chili brings Mexican-inspired comfort to dinner tables with rich, spicy flavors. Packed with protein and zesty seasonings, this one-pot meal satisfies your craving for a wholesome, warming dish you’ll want to enjoy again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Legumes:
- 1.5 cups lentils
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
Vegetables and Base:
- 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 1 cup corn kernels (frozen or canned)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Combine all dry and canned ingredients into the slow cooker, creating a rich base for the hearty chili.
- Gently pour vegetable broth over the mixture, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly integrated and moistened.
- Set slow cooker to low temperature and allow the chili to simmer for 6-8 hours, or alternatively use high setting for 3-4 hours until lentils reach a soft, tender consistency.
- After cooking, evaluate the flavor profile and fine-tune seasoning with additional spices if required.
- Transfer the steaming chili into serving bowls and embellish with complementary garnishes such as tangy shredded cheese, creamy sour cream, buttery avocado slices, fresh cilantro leaves, or a zesty lime juice drizzle.
Notes
- Swap lentils for quinoa or bulgur wheat to create different protein-packed variations that maintain a hearty texture.
- Balance heat levels by adjusting chili powder and selecting mild or spicy taco seasoning according to personal preference.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding diced bell peppers or spinach during the last hour of cooking for extra vitamins and minerals.
- Transform leftovers into burrito bowls or stuffed peppers by mixing with rice or using as a filling for a versatile meal solution.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 230 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 2.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg