One Pot or Crock Pot Loaded Quinoa Chili is the perfect healthy vegetarian chili that will satisfy even the pickiest meat eater!
I love chili, but being a vegetarian it's hard to find a good chili that isn't just all beans. I like beans, but I also like a little variety. I love this recipe because it is loaded with veggies and beans, and it's so easy to make! You can either make this in the crock pot or make it on the stove pot! This One Pot or Crock Pot Loaded Quinoa Chili is a perfect healthy recipe (scroll down for nutritional info) for a cool fall or winter day!
This loaded quinoa chili is really yummy! It's hearty and satisfying, and I know plenty of meat eaters who also love it, and don't even miss the meat. I love how healthy this chili is too; at only 208 calories per servings (not counting the garnishes), it's really waist friendly! It's perfect for cold winter days, and it would be perfect to bring to a football party or cookout! It's up to you if you want to whip it up in 30 minutes on the stove top, or if you want to let it cook all day in the crock pot. I have made it both ways and it's always delicious.
While this loaded quinoa chili is vegetarian, you could also add meat if you want. You can easily make this recipe vegan as well, just leave off the cheese and sour cream!
- ½ cup uncooked quinoa
- 3 cups water or vegetable stock
- 15 ounce can kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 15 ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 cup unsalted tomato sauce OR ¼ cup unsalted tomato paste + ¾ cup water
- 1 TBS olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced garlic
- 1 jalapeño minced
- ½ green bell pepper diced
- ½ red bell pepper diced
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 2 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ⅛ teaspoon chipotle pepper powder
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 TBS reduced sodium soy sauce
- Fresh ground black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- cheddar cheese optional for garnish
- green onions optional for garnish
- greek yogurt optional for garnish
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Rinse the quinoa in a colander, set aside.
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In a soup pot, heat the oil on medium-high; add garlic, jalapeno, onion, and celery. Sauté until soft (about 3 minutes). Add green and red peppers and cook 5 more minutes. Add spices and herbs; sauté 2 minutes. Add the beans, water, tomato sauce/paste, and quinoa; bring to boil, cover, and simmer 20 minutes or until quinoa is cooked. Stir in soy sauce and pepper.
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Serve garnished with cilantro, green onions, cheese, and greek yogurt if desired.
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Sauté jalapeno, garlic, celery, and peppers in oil for 5 minutes on med-high. Add spices and herbs, stir 2 minutes
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In the crock pot add water, tomato sauce, salt, quinoa and beans. Add ingredients from above that were sautéed.
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Cover and cook on low for 5 – 6 hours
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Add soy sauce and pepper.
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Serve garnished with cilantro, green onions, cheese, and greek yogurt if desired.
I use kidney and black beans for this recipe, but you could really use any type you have on hand. You can add other veggies that you like as well; carrots, corn, more peppers, zucchini…it would all be good! I also usually freeze this, because it reheats really well.
Enjoy!
Love quinoa like I do? Check out these other great quinoa recipes!
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- Allyson
Leslie ~ House on the Way
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arzea
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Heidi @ lightlycrunchy
Looks delicious! What is the reason for the soy sauce - to add a bit of saltiness? It's not something I've thought of adding to chili before.
arzea
Yes, I never thought of adding it before either, but the original recipe called for it so I added it. To be honest, I have made it with and without and don't really taste much of a difference...
Mary Frances
Looks absolutely wonderful, I love this!
lucky patcher
Thanks for this recipe
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
This is the perfect fall comforting dish!
TheChunkyChef
I'm loving this bowl of comfort food!!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
Love everything about this chili! What a perfect dinner to enjoy as the weather gets cooler!
Dee
This would be perfect for Meatless Mondays. It looks amazing!
Michelle | A Latte Food
This looks incredible! I love the addition of quinoa (and this is great for meatless Monday!)
Krista
What a delicious chili recipe! I love trying new chilis in the fall!
Joanie @ One Dish Kitchen
I'm always looking for new ways to make chili, adding this recipe to my menu!
The Daring Gourmet
Great idea, this sounds delicious!