Description
This easy Black Bean Chili is a creamy, flavorful, and comforting meal perfect for chilly days. Made with simple ingredients like black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, and a blend of spices, it delivers rich, hearty flavor while being vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free. Topped with zesty lime juice and your favorite garnishes, this chili is ideal for a cozy family meal and stores well in the fridge or freezer.
Ingredients
Scale
Chili Base
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium white onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1½ teaspoons sea salt
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 3 cups cooked black beans (plus 1 cup of their liquid, about 2 cans)
- 1 (14-ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
- 1 (4-ounce) can green chiles, undrained
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (plus wedges for serving)
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Toppings
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Avocado slices
- Sliced serranos or jalapeños
- Fresh cilantro
- Pickled onions
- Tortilla chips
Instructions
- Heat the aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, diced red bell pepper, and sea salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and softened, about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Add garlic and spices: Stir in the minced garlic and chili powder, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant, ensuring to stir constantly so the spices toast evenly without burning.
- Combine beans and tomatoes: Add the cooked black beans with their liquid, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, green chiles (with their liquid), maple syrup, and a few grinds of freshly ground black pepper to the pot. Stir to combine all ingredients well.
- Simmer the chili: Reduce the heat to low and let the chili simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and the chili to thicken.
- Finish and adjust seasoning: Stir in fresh lime juice, then taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, chili powder, and cayenne pepper if desired for heat.
- Serve with toppings: Ladle the chili into bowls and serve with lime wedges and your choice of toppings such as sour cream or Greek yogurt, avocado slices, sliced serranos or jalapeños, fresh cilantro, pickled onions, and crunchy tortilla chips.
Notes
- This black bean chili is vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free, making it suitable for various dietary preferences.
- It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- The chili also freezes well, so you can prepare it in advance for quick meals.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper and chili powder based on your preferred spice level.
- Use fresh lime juice for the best bright citrus flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
