Quinoa Chili {Vegetarian}
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Quinoa Chili is one of the tastiest healthy vegetarian recipes! It’s loaded with vegetables, quinoa, beans and it’s all simmered together in a deliciously seasoned broth. Definitely a recipe you’ll want to add to the dinner rotation or to your go-to Super Bowl party food menu!
Vegetarian Quinoa Chili
This vegetarian chili is seriously so good that you won’t miss the beef . You’ll fall in love with one bite! I’ve made this recipe again and again so you know this is one you’ve got to try.
I love that it’s packed with nutritious ingredients and it’s something I can feel great about eating and feeding my family. It’s hearty, healthy and totally satisfying. Who says comfort food can’t be healthy?
Yes, I may load the cheese on my serving and many would argue that cheese isn’t healthy. But we need a little something added to it and I’m just crazy about cheese. It would be like toast without butter to me though, chili and cheese just go together.
But if you want to keep it vegan or dairy-free it would still be good without the cheese, this chili just has the perfect flavor!
I love that this is so easy to make and most of the ingredients it calls for are things I always keep on hand. Yet another reason it has become a go-to recipe in our dinner rotation. We also like making this healthier option for the Super Bowl party food table.
Plus, chili is one of my favorite foods (oddly enough, I know that may seem strange but there’s something about chili that just speaks to me). I like to make several different variations of it since I make it so often.
The original inspiration for this Quinoa Chili recipe was these Quinoa Tacos I shared long ago, so if you haven’t tried those either be sure to try them too.
More Quinoa Recipes You’ll Love
- Quinoa, Black Bean and Corn Tacos
- One Pan Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Quinoa
- Quinoa and Vegetable Stew
Follow Cooking Classy
Quinoa Chili
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked quinoa (from 2/3 cup dry)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion , diced (1 3/4 cup)
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5 oz) can low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 (7 oz) can diced green chiles
- 2 1/2 Tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper, more or less to taste
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed (I used one dark red, one light red)
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
For serving (optional)
- Shredded cheddar cheese, diced avocado, sour cream, tortilla chips
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large enameled cast iron pot over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot add onion and saute until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and saute 1 minute longer.
- Add in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, cooked quinoa, vegetable broth, green chiles, chili powder, cumin, cocoa, paprika, sugar, coriander, cayenne pepper and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring mixture just to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover pot and allow to simmer 30 minutes.
- Add in all kidney beans, black beans, corn, cilantro and lime and cook until heated through. Serve warm with optional toppings and sides (cheddar, sour cream, diced avocados and tortilla chips).