Description

Warm up with this hearty, comforting Easy Black Bean Chili, a delicious one-pot meal that’s perfect for quick dinners, cozy lunch ideas, or healthy vegan meal prep. Packed with black beans, tender butternut squash, and bold spices, it’s naturally gluten-free, high in protein, and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re searching for easy dinner ideas, healthy food ideas, or meatless meals, this recipe fits the bill. Ideal for batch cooking and incredibly customizable, this chili is a staple for any time of year.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

3 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed

2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Salt and black pepper, to taste

2 cups vegetable broth

Juice of 1 lime

Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

2. Toss in the diced bell peppers and butternut squash. Stir to coat with the onion and garlic mixture. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Stir in the tomato paste, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, cinnamon, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.

4. Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice, black beans, and vegetable broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Bring the chili to a gentle boil.

5. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the butternut squash is fork-tender and the flavors are well blended.

6. Stir in the fresh lime juice and taste. Adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or lime juice if needed.

7. Serve hot, garnished with chopped cilantro and optional toppings like avocado or vegan sour cream.

Notes

This chili tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.

You can customize the spice level to your liking by adjusting the cayenne or adding chipotle.

For a thicker consistency, mash a few beans or simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American, Vegan

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 290
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 540mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 14g
Protein: 13g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: easy dinner, black bean chili, vegan chili, healthy dinner, one-pot recipe