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Slow Cooker Lentil Taco Chili Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 146 reviews

This Slow Cooker Lentil Taco Chili is a hearty and flavorful plant-based meal perfect for a cozy dinner. Packed with green or brown lentils, colorful bell peppers, black beans, and a blend of spices, it’s slow-cooked to tender perfection in a 6-quart crockpot. The recipe offers a delicious, mild heat that can be adjusted with jalapeños or cayenne pepper, and pairs wonderfully with fresh toppings like pico de gallo, crushed tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, and avocado. Ideal for a comforting and nutritious dinner with minimal hands-on time.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup dry green or brown lentils
  • 1 medium onion (white or yellow), diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, stem and seeds removed, diced (plus extra for topping, if desired)
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
  • 3 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cups frozen corn
  • 1 cup salsa (choose your favorite)

Spices and Herbs

  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1.5 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro (plus extra for topping, to taste)

Toppings and Garnishes

  • 2 cups finely diced roma (plum) tomatoes
  • 1 cup finely diced white onion
  • ½ lime, juiced
  • ¼ to ⅓ cup fresh chopped cilantro
  • ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • Crushed tortilla chips
  • Grated cheese (optional, skip for vegan)
  • Sour cream (vegan or regular)
  • Sliced avocado
  • Sliced or diced jalapeño peppers

Instructions

  1. Prepare Lentils: Pick over the lentils to remove any broken pieces or small stones. Rinse thoroughly using a fine mesh colander or sieve, then set aside.
  2. Prep Vegetables: Peel and finely dice the onion. Remove stems and seeds from bell peppers and jalapeño, then dice them. Mince the garlic cloves. Measure out all remaining ingredients for ease of use.
  3. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: In a 6-quart slow cooker, add the diced onion, bell peppers, diced jalapeño, minced garlic, black beans, frozen corn, crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, salsa, all spices, and rinsed lentils. Stir everything well to combine evenly. Secure the lid on the slow cooker.
  4. Adjust Heat (Optional): For a spicier chili, add extra diced jalapeños on top or incorporate spicy salsa instead of mild. You may also sprinkle in ground cayenne pepper to your desired heat level for extra kick.
  5. Slow Cook: Set your slow cooker to HIGH and cook for approximately 5 hours, or to LOW and cook for 9 to 10 hours, until the lentils are fully cooked through and tender.
  6. Make Pico de Gallo Topping: Finely chop white onion, roma tomatoes, and jalapeño. Combine in a bowl with fresh chopped cilantro and the juice of half a lime. Season with salt to taste and mix well.
  7. Serve: Ladle the chili into bowls and offer a variety of toppings such as crushed tortilla chips, grated cheese, sour cream, sliced avocado, and jalapeño slices. Spoon a generous amount of fresh pico de gallo on top for brightness and freshness.
  8. Enjoy: Pair your chili with rice or cornbread if desired. This flavorful, filling chili makes a perfect meal for any day and is versatile for various serving preferences.

Notes

  • Use a 6-quart slow cooker for best results and proper cooking times.
  • Adjust the spice levels by controlling the amount and type of jalapeños and cayenne pepper used.
  • Black beans can be swapped for other beans like kidney or pinto, if preferred.
  • For a vegan dish, omit cheese and use vegan sour cream options.
  • If you like a thicker chili, cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes to reduce excess liquid.
  • Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 4 days and freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.

Keywords: lentil chili, slow cooker recipes, vegan chili, healthy chili, plant-based dinner, vegetarian chili, slow cooker lentils, taco chili

Find it online: https://topreci.com/slow-cooker-lentil-taco-chili-recipe/