This Vegan Lentil Chili is bursting with rich, deep flavor. It is our family’s favorite game time and tailgating recipe. This hearty and healthy chili is perfect for meatless meals.
Similar to Creamy Gnocchi Soup, Stuffed Cabbage Stew and Delicious potato Soup, this recipe is our family favorite comfort food.
What’s more? The one pot complete meal with less efforts but big results. I am including Stove top or Instant Pot instructions to make this ultra comforting everyday gluten free chili recipe.
Game Day Vegan Chili
With August, comes ‘back to school season’ and also the football pre-season. My preteen boys, hubby and our friend circle , we all gear up for upcoming months when most Sunday’s are reserved for all things football.
Fantasy football, real football – all things football till Super Bowl..we love them all…I also love all the anticipation, excitement and lot of family bonding time during these months.
Making some classic , some fusion, some unique meals and watching the games with family and friends – makes my perfect Sunday. Speaking of football recipes, do check out our amazing appetizer collection too.
For such fun and frolic gatherings, I often make this vegan lentil chili. I know…I know.. I see those rolling eyes of Chili purists. I get it. But let me tell you, among the sea of game-day recipes, this will be your standout chili .
And for all right reasons – the texture, the flavors and the comfort quotient. And all the healthy side benefits? I am still getting there 🙂
Best Meat-less 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 “.
Lentil Recipes
I love cooking with lentils. Moroccan Lentil Stew, Spaghetti Lentil Bolognese, Lentil Salad with Curry lemon dressing and Turmeric Lentil Quinoa Soup are our favorite and versatile lentil recipes.
Lentils are quick and easy to prepare. If you are using Instant Pot, you do not need to pre-soak them either. They also absorb flavors really well from seasonings and herbs. So the chili comes out really well seasoned and flavorful.
Vegan Comfort Food
It also is deliciously comforting. A bowl of warm lentil chili will warm your heart and belly on cold wintery night. It is also sneakily healthy recipe- check all the ingredients- all yummy goodness of plant based protein and fiber.
Not just game day but any day or night when you crave comfort food, make a big pot of this vegan lentil chili.
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.
Ingredients
2 cups green lentils sorted, washed and rinsed
1 can crushed tomatoes ( I like Muir Glen’s fire roasted)
4 cups water or vegetable broth
1 medium onion finely chopped
4-6 cloves of garlic minced
2 medium potatoes roughly chopped
1 cup each – celery, carrots and corn
1 Jalapeño pepper and cilantro for garnish
For seasoning:
1 tablespoon oil -I use Avocado oil
1 tablespoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon all purpose seasoning. ( Trader Joe’s 21 seasoning salute -my go to favorite)
Salt and pepper to taste
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.
So get all the ingredients ready and let’s get this Vegan Lentil Chili cooking.
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. You should sense the aroma. 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
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.
Our family favorite weeknight dinner recipes
- 15 Bean Vegetable Soup
- Makhani Masala Pasta
- Chickpea Coconut Curry
- Creamy Mushroom Pasta
- Cabbage and Pasta – Haluski
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★ 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.
Instant Pot Vegan Lentil Chili
Ingredients
- 2 cups lentils sorted washed and rinsed
- 1 14 oz. can crushed tomatoes - I like Muir Glen's fire roasted
- 4 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 4-6 cloves of garlic minced
- 2 medium potatoes roughly chopped
- 1 cup each - celery, carrots and corn
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon oil I used Avocado Oil
- ½ teaspoon Cumin Powder
- ½ teaspoon Coriander 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
InstantPot Instructions:
- 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 presure 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 !
Stove top directions :
- 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, Chili is ready.
- Stir in lemon juice and cilantro. Serve warm with your favorite toppings. Enjoy !
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.