This one-pot vegetarian lentil chili is loaded with fresh vegetables, packed with smoky flavor, and gets a kick of heat from fresh jalapeños.

Red Lentil Chili
This one-pot vegetarian lentil chili is loaded with fresh vegetables, packed with smoky flavor, and gets a kick of heat from fresh jalapeños.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
- 2 carrots chopped
- 1 zucchini cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 poblano pepper chopped
- 3 tablespoons chili powder divided
- 3 tablespoons cumin divided
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 fresh jalapeño pepper seeded and diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 14.5 ounce cans diced tomatoes with juice
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 15 ounce can kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 15 ounce can black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 cup red lentils rinsed and drained
Instructions
- Heat oil over medium heat in a Dutch oven. Add carrots, zucchini, onion, poblano pepper, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook until onion is soft and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Remove zucchini from Dutch oven and set aside. Add garlic and jalapeño pepper to the vegetable mixture and stir to combine. Add tomato paste, 1 tablespoon chili powder, and 1 tablespoon cumin; stir for 2 to 3 minutes. Add diced tomatoes and vegetable broth, and bring to a boil. Once liquid boils, stir in kidney beans, black beans, and red lentils.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, leaving lid ajar, and simmer for 15 minutes. Season with remaining chili powder and cumin to taste.
- Return zucchini to the pot and reduce heat to low. Cover and allow flavors to blend for about 20 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.