This easy one-pot vegetarian quinoa chili is SO delicious! It’s a healthier alternative that’s packed with good for you ingredients.
What if you could have a healthy, hearty vegetarian meal on the table in under an hour. Would it change your mind about going through the drive-thru?
We all have those moments of weakness where, instead of sticking to our healthy eating plan that we’ve been doing so well with, we instead throw up our hands and say, “I don’t have time to cook!” But, in fact, most of us CAN spare 45 minutes or so to make a healthy meal.
This quinoa chili recipe is one of those super simple one-pot meals that you need in your life. Since you make it in one pot, that cuts down on mess, and by using simple pantry staples, you can ensure you pretty much always have the ingredients on hand for this meal.
How to Make Vegetarian Quinoa Chili
Ready to get started? Here’s what you’ll need for this easy meal:
Ingredients for One Pot Quinoa Chili
1 cup dry quinoa, cooked according to package directions
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Onion, chopped
1 Garlic clove, minced
2 cups diced tomatoes
1 cup stock
1 cup tomato sauce
1/3 cup diced chiles
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp cumin
1 cup black beans, cooked or canned
Salt and pepper to taste
Red onion, cilantro, and diced tomatoes as a garnish
Directions:
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion until translucent, around 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, stock, chiles, chili powder, paprika, and cumin and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Add the cooked quinoa and black beans and cook for 15 more minutes, stirring constantly.
- Serve topped with tomatoes, cilantro, and red onion.
Printable Recipe
Easy Vegetarian Quinoa Chili
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry quinoa cooked according to package directions
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 Onion chopped
- 1 Garlic clove minced
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable stock
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/3 cup diced chiles
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 cup black beans cooked or canned
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red onion cilantro, and diced tomatoes as a garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onion until translucent, around 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, stock, chiles, chili powder, paprika, and cumin and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Add the cooked quinoa and black beans and cook for 15 more minutes, stirring constantly.
- Serve topped with tomatoes, cilantro, and red onion.
Nutrition
Is Vegetarian Chili Good for You?
It can be! This recipe is made with healthy ingredients and fresh veggies. You can use things like canned beans for convenience (and we frequently do!), and while those aren’t as healthy, it’s still a great alternative to reaching for a frozen meal or going through the drive-thru.
What Can I Put in Chili Instead of Beans?
If you don’t like the black beans in this chili, you could add mushrooms, tofu, tempeh, or another vegetarian-friendly ingredient to help fill out the dish. If you don’t mind meat, adding chicken or beef is an easy way to add flavor and protein as well.
What to Serve with Quinoa Chili
There are so many yummy ways to serve this up to your family! Serve with crispy tortilla chips or a side of cornbread. You’ll want your favorite chili toppings on hand, too, of course. We like red onions, cilantro, and diced tomatoes with a bit of sour cream and cheddar cheese. If you don’t eat dairy products, do dairy-free cheese!
If you’d like to use quinoa more in your cooking, don’t miss our Quinoa and Sausage Stuffed Zucchini recipe!
Easy Vegan Black Bean and Corn Chili
