My kitchen had a very good Christmas. She was a little selfish, but got everything she wanted. She received a fabulous all-purpose cooker that is a rice cooker, slow cooker, and steamer in one. It’s hard to believe we’ve gone this long without a slow cooker. I’ve had fun experimenting with it, creating tasty meals including steel cut oatmeal, a whole chicken, and several rice dishes.
And now this chili.
While it’s hard to compete with creamy oatmeal waiting for you when you wake up in the morning, this chili is the favorite thing that’s come out of my slow cooker so far. I’m really excited about this chili. I know I’m calling it vegetarian, but if you don’t sprinkle any cheese on top, it’s actually a vegan chili. I have made vegan chili a lot of times, and while I’ve always liked it, I couldn’t help but feel it was lacking something.
In comes the bulgur wheat. When I saw this chili recipe that called for bulgur wheat, I was intrigued. I decided to add it to my recipe, but really had no idea what to expect. The result? A chili with a hearty texture, somewhat reminiscent of the meaty original. The bulgur wheat was a brilliant addition. I can’t take credit for the idea, but I’m glad I discovered it and took a risk. Even Tim, who isn’t a big chili guy, raved about this vegetarian chili recipe.
Because I’m cooking with a toddler in mind, I try to make my chili healthy, but not too spicy. If you like a little heat to your chili, adjust the spices accordingly or kick it up with a diced jalapeno pepper.
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Three Bean Vegetarian Chili in the Slow Cooker
- Total Time: 310 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
A delicious chili recipe for the slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry black beans, soaked (see note)
- 1 cup dry kidney beans, soaked (see note)
- 1 cup dry Great Northern beans, soaked (see note)
- 3 cups water
- 2 cups vegetable stock
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, with liquid
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium Tamari or soy sauce
- 1 cup bulgur wheat
- 1–2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, medium diced
- 1 green bell pepper, medium diced
- 1 carrot, medium diced
- 2 celery stalks, medium diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Put soaked beans, water, vegetable stock, diced tomatoes with liquid, tomato paste, tamari, and bulgur into slow cooker. In a large skillet, saute the onion, carrot, celery, bell peppers, and garlic in 1-2 tablespoons olive oil for about 3-5 minutes. Add the spices, stir to combine, and allow to cook another minute or two. Add the vegetable mixture to the slow cooker. Cook on high for 5 hours.
Notes
Soaking Beans: To soak your beans, sort and rinse your beans and then place them in a large pot and cover with 6-8 cups of water. Soak overnight, covered, at least 8 hours, then drain and rinse. You can also use the “quick soak” method: Sort and rinse your beans and place them in a large pot and cover with 6-8 cups of water. Bring water to a boil and allow to boil for 2 full minutes. Turn off the heat, cover, and allow to soak 1-2 hours. Drain and rinse.
Inspired by this Savvy Vegetarian recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 300 minutes
- Category: main meal
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 of 8 servings
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 7.3g
- Sodium: 488mg
- Fat: 3.1g
- Carbohydrates: 31.5g
- Protein: 8.5g
I’m a little strange, but I enjoyed my chili with some bleu cheese sprinkled on top. Tim’s was topped with shredded cheddar. Cheese is completely optional, of course, and you can keep this a vegan meal if you leave it off.
I didn’t get any pics of Meghan eating her chili, but I wish I would have because she was quite funny. She took a bite and excitedly exclaimed, “Meghan likes it!” but then made a strange face while she chewed that almost looked like she was going to spit it out. She took more bites, though, continuing to exclaim “Meghan likes it!” while making the same face. Strange kid.
Like any soup, we loved this even more as leftovers the next day. It is so filling and perfect for this freezing cold weather we’ve been having. Enjoy!
Ohmygosh YES! This looks fantastic!
Uh…please excuse the old pics. hee hee 🙂
I recently got a Crock Pot, so now I can finally make your Crock Pot recipes! We had your chili for dinner yesterday and it was a success! Next time I’m going to increase the spices a notch. I had mine with loads of crumble goats cheese on top. Delish!
Mmmmm! It’s definitely chili weather over here!
Ooh, I switched this recipe from my “To Try” board over to my “Keeper Recipes” board on Pinterest. The bulgur gave it a great texture!
Thank you very much for the great recipe!!
You’re welcome. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed this!
One cup of dry beans equals 2-2 1/2 cups soaked…I presoak beans and freeze them so they will be ready! Am cooking the chili now!
Oooh that’s a great idea. Thanks for sharing. I hope you enjoy the chili. 🙂
Made this tonight. Not very spicy, as you said, which was good for my 2 kids. Husband and I added cayenne pepper to ours. It was delicious, and we loved the bulgur. Recipe made a lot for lunches and freezing. Thanks!
You’re welcome! It definitely makes a good amount for leftovers, which I love.
That’s a shrewd answer to a tricky question
First, let me say how much I love your blog! I have printed dozens of your recipes to use for my family. It is so nice to read about other moms who are focused on nutrition and health as much as I am. Thank you.
I made your chili recipe and LOVED it! My husband loved it too. I wanted to suggest using bpa free cans for the canned tomatoes or blanching your own to use in the chili. I’m sure you already know that bpa has been linked to childhood and adult cancers and other health problems. Canned tomatoes are especially dangerous because the acid in them causes the bpa to leach into the food. Here is a link to a site that tells you which companies use bpa free cans. http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/7-companies-you-can-trust-to-use-bpa-free-cans.html
Also, here is a link on blanching your own tomatoes: http://thelittlekitchenthatcould.blogspot.com/2009/06/how-to-blanch-tomatoes.html
I think 3 or 4 tomatoes equals one 14 oz can.
FYI, I’m not affiliated with these websites. I just wanted to pass along info that I’ve learned.
Thank you!
Thanks for the info, Jamie. I typically use Muir Glen tomatoes, which I believe uses BPA-free cans. This announcement has been on their website for a long time now, so I’m assuming they are BPA-free now: http://www.muirglen.com/news/n-10.aspx. I think I need to start doing my own anyway though from the local tomatoes I get in my CSA in the summer.
I’m glad you liked the chili! 🙂
To be honest, the picture doesn’t do the chili any justice. Almost didn’t make it. I made the chili without carrots, celery or peppers because I didn’t have them on hand but added zucchini. I also added a small can of roasted green chilies. The chili was fabulous! In-laws are heavy meat-eaters and they even loved it.
I’m glad to hear you tried it despite the picture! Photography isn’t my strong point, but I’m working on it. Glad it was a hit, too. Thanks for letting me know.
Yum!! I’ve been craving chili like mad lately. This look fabulous!
This looks absolutely delicious! I’ve been meaning to make chili this year but haven’t gotten around to it. It would be perfect to do on the next snow day.
You know your way to my heart. Love veggie chilis like this.
That chili looks delish! I love my slow cooker, it is a lifesaver. I am really enjoying your blog, glad you left a comment leading me to you. I too would love to have that oatmeal recipe if you don’t mind sharing.
Chilli with blue cheese sounds great. We really into our slow cooker and I will have to try this!
I can’t believe I went this long without a slow cooker. You can do so much with it!
Looks yummy! Could you send me the recipe for slow cooker oatmeal, I’d love to try that! I am always looking for recipes for my slow cooker!
I will send it your way!