So the temperature has started to drop here in NY and this vegan crock pot chili recipe is just the thing for cool fall evening dinners. Usually I drag out my big crock pot to start making soups and stews for lunch and dinner during the week. However this year, I purchased one of these. Since its only holds about 1 quart, I can have more than one crock pot meal a week! (It’s also great for keeping food warm). This chili recipe is so easy you’ll make this every week!
Simple Savory Vegan Crock Pot Chili Recipe
(This recipe is perfect for a 1.5qt crock pot, but feel free to double it for a standard sized slow cooker).
Ingredients
- 1/2 medium red onion
- 1/2 green bell pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder (yes, really!)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon kosher
- 2 tsps kosher salt
- black pepper (to taste)
- 3/4 cup black beans, cooked (or canned if you can find BPA free)
- 3/4 cup kidney beans, cooked (or canned if you can find BPA free)
- 4 plum tomatoes crushed (I like fresh rather than canned)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 medium sweet potato peeled and cubed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Directions
Roughly chop tomatoes, onion, garlic and bell pepper by hand or with a food processor. Add olive oil to the bottom of the crock pot first. Swirl to coat. Then add the chopped mixture, along with the rest of the ingredients, leaving the spices until last. (Leave all of the liquid from the tomatoes in when transferring). Stir a few times with a spoon until well mixed. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours (or until potatoes are nice and soft).
The surprising thing that really gives this vegan crock pot chili flavor is the chocolate! Mixed with the chili powder and the cumin it gives this recipe an almost smoky flavor. Yum! The other thing I love about crock pot cooking is that with soups and stews you get that “second day flavor” on day one! Check out the original recipe here.
• What’s your favorite vegan crock pot chili recipe?
Image credits: snyfer / 123RF Stock Photo and World Wine and Food
