Vegan Lentil Chili

This Instant Pot vegan lentil chili is simple and quick to make and so delicious! Loaded with healthy ingredients, it's great for meal prep and freezer meals.

Hearty, warming and so easy to make, this vegan lentil chili is the perfect weeknight family meal. Loaded with fresh and healthy ingredients, it’s a great dump and go Instant Pot recipe that’s ready to serve in less than 30 minutes.

This vegan lentil chili is excerpted from The Pressure Cooker Cookbook for Weight Loss which includes over one hundred easy and healthy recipes by Sukaina Bharwani. The recipes are all simple to prepare and all of which can be made in the instant pot. This one is one of the best!

INGREDIENTS & SUBSTITUTIONS

• Red and green lentils: Lentils make a wonderful substitute for meat in many vegetarian meals like chili. They are low in calories, packed full of fiber and when eaten with whole grains, they can provide a complete source of protein. Feel free to switch the type of lentils used.
• Garlic and onion: These are sautéed in the Instant Pot before the other ingredients are added for a really flavorful chili.
• Tomato sauce and diced tomatoes: For a rich tomatoey flavor. Use diced tomatoes with chili for an extra kick of flavor, but you can use them without the added seasoning.
• Red kidney beans: Rinse and drain the canned beans before adding the to the Instant Pot. Kidney beans are great in a chili, but you can also use black beans or any others you have to hand.
• Seasonings: Chili powder, oregano, cumin and salt or use your own mix.
• Maple syrup: A little sweetness in this chili does wonders! If you are not vegan, you can use honey instead, and brown sugar also works well.

HOW TO MAKE LENTIL CHILI IN INSTANT POT

• Saute the garlic and onion in oil in the pressure cooker.
• Add in the rest of the ingredients.
• Stir to combine until everything is well mixed.
• Cook on the Beans/Chili function and naturally release before serving.

TIPS FOR MAKING LENTIL CHILI

1. Be mindful of the type of lentils you use. Some lentils, like red lentils, absorb more liquid than others, like small green lentils. Adjust the tomato sauce in the recipe if you’re using more or less red lentils or other varieties that expand a lot.
2. Switch some of the tomato sauce for vegetable broth. For a more subtle tomato flavor, you can use vegetable or chicken broth to replace some of the liquid in the recipe.
3. Don’t forget the toppings. Fresh cilantro and diced avocado add some great freshness and flavor to each bite. Feel free to add other favorite toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, lime wedges and sliced jalapenos.
4. Try it on top of a baked potato. Because of how thick and hearty the lentil chili is, it makes for a wonderful topping on top of baked potatoes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can you make it ahead of time?

Yes! This vegan lentil chili is a great option for meal prep, and, like all chilis, it tastes even better the next day when those flavors have had time to develop. Let your chili cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. It will keep well in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.

You can reheat your chili on the stovetop to heat through, or in a microwave for 3 minutes, stirring halfway.

Can you freeze it?

This chili freezes wonderfully. This recipe makes enough for 8 servings, so it’s great for freezer meals. Just place into a freezer safe container or bag to freeze and it will keep well for up to 6 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Can you make this chili on the stovetop?

If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can easily make this lentil chili on the stovetop, it will just take a bit longer. Saute the garlic and onions in a pot with the oil, then add in the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine. Bring the chili to a boil and then let it simmer for 50minutes to an hour until the lentils are cooked.

This vegan lentil chili is so effortless to make and it’s also a really economical family meal using pantry staple ingredients. It’s so wonderfully flavorful and is a great option for a healthy plant based dinner.