Summer Vegetarian Chili
A vibrant summer vegetarian chili packed with fresh vegetables, black beans, and bold spices, perfect for casual gatherings or weeknight dinners with a hearty, flavorful twist.
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried black beans ⓘ
- water ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp salt ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp vegetable oil ⓘ
- 2 medium onions ⓘ
- 2 large cloves garlic ⓘ
- 1 green bell pepper ⓘ
- 2 medium zucchini ⓘ
- 8 plum tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 canful of water from tomato paste can ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp chili powder ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp ground cumin ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp dried oregano ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp dried red pepper flakes ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen whole kernel corn ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice ⓘ
- warm tortillas or tortilla chips (optional) ⓘ
Instructions
- Rinse dried beans in cold water, sorting through and discarding any broken beans or debris.
- In a large bowl, soak beans in about 2 quarts of water for 4 hours; drain.
- In a Dutch oven, combine beans, bay leaf, and fresh cold water to cover.
- Bring to a boil; reduce heat and partially cover.
- Simmer until beans are soft and tender, about 1 1/2 hours, adding salt halfway through if desired.
- In the Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add diced onions, minced garlic, diced green bell pepper, and diced zucchini.
- Saute over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, a canful of water, chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes.
- Add 2 cups of drained, cooked black beans to the Dutch oven.
- Stir in corn and lemon juice.
- Cook for an additional 15 minutes, then taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve hot with warm tortillas or tortilla chips if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a quicker meal, consider using canned black beans instead of dried; just rinse and add them in step 11. You can also swap zucchini for other seasonal vegetables like bell peppers or corn. If you want more spice, add jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. This chili is versatile and can be customized based on your preferences or what you have on hand.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this chili hot, accompanied by warm tortillas or tortilla chips for a delightful crunch. It pairs beautifully with Mango Salsa for a refreshing contrast. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside a side of Zesty Fiesta Corn or a fresh salad. This dish is perfect for gatherings or a cozy family dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, or warm on the stovetop over low heat until heated through. The flavors tend to deepen after a day, making it even tastier for leftovers.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Summer Vegetarian Chili contains roughly 505 calories, with 21g protein, 82g carbohydrates, and 13g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (160% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (59% of the Daily Value), and iron (49% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1260mg per serving (55% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this chili ahead of time?
Yes, this chili actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld together. You can prepare it a day ahead and simply reheat when ready to serve.
Is this chili suitable for freezing?
Absolutely! Allow the chili to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
What can I add to make it heartier?
For a heartier chili, consider adding diced potatoes or quinoa. You can also increase the amount of corn or beans for added texture and protein, making it even more filling.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).