November 11, 2024

Slow-Cook Your Way to Vegetarian Chili

Do you buy one of every vegetable when you are at the market? Do you find yourself with a stuffed fridge and not enough time to get through it all before it turns? Has this happened to you more than once?

You may be suffering from overeager farmers market shopper syndrome, but there is a cure! This slow-cooked vegetarian chili takes all of your late Summer bounty and in a matter of hours transforms it into a thick, hearty stew.

I’m still relatively new to slow cookers, but I’m amazed by how the veggies and beans hold their shape while softening to the perfect, toothsome texture. If you don’t have all the ingredients on hand or you want to throw in something else to the mix (like pumpkin instead of zucchini), go right ahead! Just keep the proportions in mind.

Ingredients
  1. 2 tablespoons neutral-tasting oil, like canola or grapeseed
  2. 1 1/2 cups yellow onions, chopped
  3. 1 cup red bell peppers, chopped
  4. 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  5. 2 to 3 serrano peppers, stemmed, seeded, and minced, depending upon taste
  6. 1 medium zucchini, stem ends trimmed and cut into small dice
  7. 2 cups (about 3 ears) fresh corn kernels
  8. 1 1/2 pounds (about 5 large) portobello mushrooms, stemmed, wiped clean, and cubed
  9. 4 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
  10. 2 tablespoons chili powder
  11. 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  12. 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
  13. 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
  14. 3 cups cooked black beans, or canned beans, rinsed and drained
  15. 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
  16. 1 cup vegetable stock, or water
  17. 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped plus more for garnish
  18. Shredded monterey jack cheese (optional), for garnish
  19. Sour cream (optional), for garnish
  20. Lime wedges (optional), for garnish
Directions
  1. In a large slow cooker, combine all ingredients except for cilantro. Cook over high heat for 3 to 4 hours or low heat for 7 to 8 hours, stirring occasionally. Before dividing into bowls, stir in cilantro and season with more salt to taste (optional).
  2. Divide chili into bowls. Garnish with more cilantro, cheese, sour cream, and lime wedges.
Information
Category
Chili, Main Dishes
Cuisine
North American
Yield
Serves 8 to 10

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *