Discover the ultimate vegan lentil chili recipe – a flavorful blend of hearty lentils, and veggies with deep umami spices. Perfect for cozy nights, this plant-based 10-ingredient, 30-minute recipe offers nutritious satisfaction in every spoonful. Dive into this meatless marvel for a guilt-free, comforting meal experience.
This Vegan Lentil Chili is bursting with rich, earthy flavor. It is our family's favorite game day and tailgating recipe. This hearty and healthy chili is perfect for meatless meals. Similar to Vegetarian Bean Chili, Green Chile Stew and Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup this recipe is our family favorite comfort food.
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What's more? This vegan chili with lentils is a one pot complete meal with less efforts but big results. Uses all wholesome and inexpensive ingredients. I am including Stove top or Instant Pot instructions to make this ultra comforting everyday gluten free lentil chili recipe.
Why You Will Love This Plant Based Chili Recipe
- Lentils offer a healthy nutrient punch of 15 grams of fiber, 18 grams of protein, high % of folate, potassium, iron and vitamin B in just one cup. They are a fantastic choice if you're eating a plant-based diet.
- You will also love how versatile this recipe is. You can use different beans instead of lentils, combination of different veggies to make it with your personal stamp on it.
- I also add potatoes and other veggies to make this chili ultra hearty and "oh.so. satisfying ".
Ingredients
- Lentils : I use brown lentils. You can use green lentils, puy lentils, red or yellow lentils to make this chili. Make sure to sort, wash and rinse the dry lentils before using. No need to soak the lentils before hand.
Vegetables : Basic vegetables include onion, tomatoes, celery and carrots. I add russet potatoes for bulking up the chili and adding chunky texture. - Other ingredients : Minced garlic for zesty flavors, vegetable broth or water for cooking. For the flavors, I use roasted ground cumin, all purpose seasoning ( Trader Joe's 21 seasoning salute -my go to favorite) and smoked paprika.
Oil is optional.
How to Make Vegan Lentil Chili in Instant Pot
One biggest advantage of making this recipe in electric pressure cooker like Instant Pot is it's practically dump and go recipe. Most of the cooking time is hands off too.
Put Instant Pot on sauté mode. Once it displays HOT, add oil. Add minced garlic and onion. Sauté well for few minutes till onions get softer.
Add all the seasoning herbs and stir well. Add washed lentils and chopped veggies including potatoes. Stir well. Add water (vegetable broth). Give it a good stir.
Close the lid of Instant Pot. Vent sealed. Press MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK and choose 10 minutes high pressure. After it's done cooking, release the pressure after 10 minutes.
Open the lid. Give it a good stir. With the ladle, you can mash up the lentils and potatoes a few times to get creamy texture. Stir in lemon juice and cilantro. Serve warm and enjoy!
How to make vegan lentil chili on Stove Top
In a large stock pot, warm the oil over medium heat. Once oil is warm, add minced garlic and onion. Sauté well for few minutes till onions look softer. Add all the seasoning herbs and stir well.
Add washed lentils and chopped veggies including potatoes. Stir well. Add water or vegetable broth. Give it a good stir. Cover with a lid and let it cook for 20-25 minutes till lentils are cooked.
Check and stir in between few times to avoid the burn at the bottom of the pot. When the potatoes and lentils are tender and soft, this Vegan Lentil Chili is ready. Stir in lemon juice and cilantro and serve.
Storing and Re-heating
To store your vegan lentil chili, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Place the container in the refrigerator and store for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating, you may need to add a splash of water or vegetable broth to thin out the chili as it thickens when chilled. Alternatively, freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. Enjoy the comforting flavors of your chili whenever the craving strikes!
Garnishes and Toppings
There are variety of toppings you can pile on top. It's so much fun to mix and match these toppings. Some of our family favorites are - tortilla chips, potato chips, avocado slices and chopped onions, tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, cucumbers.
You can also serve this chili along with Crispy Fingerling Potatoes, Sweet Potato Wedges, Healthy Zucchini Fries, or Crispy Kale Chips. All these fun munchies make it satisfying meal everyone will enjoy.
What's favorite chili topping or side in your home? Do share with us in the comments . It is always fun to learn and try new things.
Lentil Recipes
I love cooking with lentils. Moroccan Lentil Stew, Spaghetti Lentil Bolognese, Lentil Salad with Curry lemon dressing Best Lentil Soup and Turmeric Lentil Quinoa Soup are our favorite and versatile lentil recipes.
Our family favorite comfort food recipes
- Vegetarian Tortilla Soup
- Chickpea Coconut Curry
- Creamy Gnocchi Soup
- Vegan Stuffed Pepper Soup
- Chickpea Orzo Soup
★ If you make this Vegan Instant Pot Lentil Chili Recipe do let us know how you like it by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below.
📖 Recipe
Lentil Chili ( Vegan, Gluten-free, Instant Pot)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups lentils sorted, washed and rinsed
- 1 (14 oz. can) fire roasted diced tomatoes I like Muir Glen's fire roasted
- 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth or water
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 4-6 cloves garlic minced
- 2 medium potatoes diced
- 1 cup celery, carrots and corn
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
For seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon oil optional, I used Avocado Oil
- 1 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon all purpose seasoning. Trader Joe's 21 seasoning salute -my go to favorite
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Green chili pepper, lemon wedges and cilantro for garnish
Instructions
How to Make Instant Pot Lentil Chili
- Put Instant Pot on sauté mode. Once it displays HOT, add oil. Add minced garlic and onion. Sauté well for few minutes till onions get softer.
- Add all the seasoning herbs and stir well. Add washed lentils and chopped veggies including potatoes. Stir well. Add water or vegetable broth. Give it a good stir.
- Close the lid of Instant Pot. Vent sealed. Choose MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK mode, high pressure for 10 minutes. After it's done cooking, you can do pressure release after 10 minutes.
- Open the lid. Give it a good stir. With the ladle, you can mash up the lentils and potatoes a few times to get creamy texture.
- Stir in lemon juice and cilantro. Serve warm with your favorite toppings. Enjoy !
How to Make Lentil Chili on Stove Top
- In a large stock pot, warm the oil over medium heat. Once oil is warm, add minced garlic and onion. Sauté well for few minutes till onions look softer.
- Add all the seasoning herbs and stir well. Add washed lentils and chopped veggies including potatoes. Stir well. Add water or vegetable broth. Give it a good stir.
- Cover with a lid and let it cook for 15-20 minutes till lentils are cooked.
- Check and stir in between few times to avoid the burn at the bottom of the pot. When the potatoes and lentils are tender and soft, Chili is ready.
- Stir in lemon juice and cilantro. Serve warm with your favorite toppings. Enjoy !
Notes
Nutrition
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This recipe was originally published on August 31, 2018. It has been revised, modified and republished on March 3, 2024 with detailed step by step instructions, photos and nutritional information.
Jen M.
Hi, I am currently making this dish that sounds delicious. You have 1 can of crushed tomatoes in the ingredients list but left it out in the how to prepare directions. It may seem obvious...but I just assumed you added the sauce with everything and it wasn't something you added afterward (like some recipes I've seen before). Im excited to try it!
Haley
Pure deliciousness.
Karl
Love lentils but never thought of adding potatoes to them to bulk it out. Next to do on my recipe list
kedar
This looks great. A must try for the football parties. Thanks for sharing.