Slow Cooker Black Bean Chili
Serves6 to 8
One bite of this ultra-hearty chili and you just might question if it’s really vegan after all. After a full day of simmering in the slow cooker, the chili takes on a deep and rich reddish-black hue, emitting that distinct fragrance you know can only be a batch of chili. And the flavor that follows is just as you’d expect. The medley of tender black beans, tomatoes, and warm spices create a one-pot meal with some serious flavor.
Use Cocoa Powder for a Rich, Meaty Flavor
Cocoa powder is the baking staple with big chocolatey flavor we rely on for brownies, cakes, and cookies, but it also has a very welcome place in savory dishes. Here it’s the superstar ingredient, partnered with a mess of spices and toothsome black beans that bring an even deeper, richer, heartier flavor to this meat-free chili. This recipe calls for unsweetened cocoa powder, so while you’ll pick up subtle notes of chocolate in the warm broth, there’s no added sweetness to be found.
Slow Cooker Black Bean Chili
Serves 6 to 8
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons
olive oil
- 1
large onion, diced
- 1
medium red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and diced
- 3
cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons
unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons
chili powder
- 2 teaspoons
ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon
kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon
freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon
cayenne pepper
- 1 pound
dried black beans
- 1
(28-ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
- 5 cups
(40 ounces) low-sodium vegetable broth
Green onions, green parts only, thinly sliced
Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cocoa powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir until combined and cook for 2 minutes. Transfer to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
Add the beans, tomatoes and their liquid, and broth, and stir to combine. Cover, and cook on the LOW setting until the beans are tender, 8 to 10 hours. Stir to combine. Ladle into bowls, and top with scallions and cilantro.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Make ahead: The onions, peppers, and spices can be sautéed up to a day in advance, stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, then added directly to the slow cooker.