Lentil Chili with Green Onions

This hearty Lentil Chili is the ultimate vegetarian comfort food — packed with plant-based protein, full of rich flavor, and completely grain-free. It’s an easy-to-make recipe that comes together quickly, making it perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or meal prep for the week ahead.

Made with wholesome ingredients like lentils, tomatoes, green onions, and a medley of spices, this vegan chili delivers all the bold, satisfying taste of traditional chili without any meat. Whether you’re looking for a healthy high-protein meal or a new family favorite, this simple one-pot dish checks all the boxes!

Lentils are so good. They’re easy to cook and filled with protein. And, best of all they’re sooo tasty.

We appreciate your support

Please let me know if you have any questions about this recipe. I read all the comments myself and I try to help as soon as I can. I have readers from all levels of comfort and experience in the kitchen on my site, and I’ve tried to answer some of your questions already in the post. But if I’ve missed anything, please feel free to leave a comment and ask.

How to serve this dinner

Serve the chili with some nice crusty bread or some Soft Pretzel Buns and a kale dinner salad and you’re ready to rock!

And, it’s a great way to show off use some of that homemade chili powder that you made. I highly recommend you try that Homemade chili Powder!

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How to make a great plant based chili with lentils Recipe

Lentil Chili

Debi

A great full flavored warming vegan chili that's so good for you.

5 from 4 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 232 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion chopped
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 4 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1 cup dried brown or green lentils uncooked
• ½ cup crushed tomato
• ½ cup green onions chopped
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt less if your broth is salty

Instructions

 

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until it caramelizes, about 20 minutes. Add garlic and continue to sauté for 30 seconds. Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper, and cook for 30 seconds. Add water, lentils, and tomatoes. Increase the heat, and bring the stew to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in green onions. Add salt, and taste for seasonings. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

You can use the store-bought chili powder here, but the homemade one tastes so much better & is really easy to make!

Nutrition

Calories: 232kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 14gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 708mgPotassium: 740mgFiber: 18gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1449IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 98mgIron: 6mg

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations, and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

Keyword chili, lentil

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