Healthy Lentil Chili
- Level: Easy
- Yield: 6 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Calories
- 311
- Total Fat
- 5 grams
- Saturated Fat
- 1 grams
- Cholesterol
- 0 milligrams
- Sodium
- 908 milligrams
- Carbohydrates
- 50 grams
- Dietary Fiber
- 18 grams
- Protein
- 20 grams
- Sugar
- 6 grams
- Total: 1 hr
- Active: 30 min
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1 red, orange or yellow bell pepper, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
Two 14.5-ounce cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
One 15-ounce can navy beans or another small white bean (do not drain)
1 cup dried brown lentils
1 dried bay leaf
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Shredded reduced-fat Cheddar, plain yogurt, pickled jalapenos and crushed tortilla chips, for serving (all are optional)
Directions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper. Cook until vegetables are just tender and browned in spots, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, oregano and cumin, then continue to cook until fragrant and brick-red in color, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, beans (and their liquid), lentils, bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a couple grinds of black pepper. Bring to a steady simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Partially cover with a lid and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender and the chili has thickened slightly, 35 to 45 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf and stir in the vinegar. Season with salt and black pepper. Ladle into bowls and serve with toppings as desired.