Healthy, 10-ingredient Black Bean Quinoa Chili with smoky chipotle! An easy plant-based meal and so comforting on chilly days! (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free)
It started snowing here in Montana the morning after Halloween. It’s like Mother Nature knew October was over and wasted no time with switching to winter! So what choice did I have but to cozy in by the fire with tea, books, blankets, and endless chili? (My favorite atmosphere while watching those beautiful, fluffy flakes fall!)
I only started using chipotles a couple years ago because I was a bit intimidated by them for some reason. I LOVED the smokiness and subtle spicy flavor but wasn’t sure exactly how to go about using them on my own. But I’m glad I started trying because it’s such an amazing, flavor-packed ingredient and brings so much smoky goodness. (If you can’t find canned chipotles in adobo sauce, no worries! Just look for the dry chipotle chili powder in the spice aisle. See more about this and other chipotle tips in the notes below the recipe.) I adore this meal topped with green onion, cilantro, and best of all creamy avocado. Hope you love it too – cozy up and enjoy!
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Smoky Chipotle Black Bean Quinoa Chili
Healthy, 10-ingredient Black Bean Quinoa Chili with smoky chipotle! An easy plant-based meal and so comforting on chilly days! (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free)
Prep Time:25 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:45 minutes
Servings:5 medium bowls
Ingredients
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 15 oz. cans black beans
- 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
- 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup white quinoa (uncooked)
- 1-2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (*see notes below)
- 2 tsp. adobo sauce (more as desired)
- 2 1/2 tsp. chili powder
- 2 tsp. cumin
- Salt to taste
Toppings (optional)
- Avocado, green onion, cilantro, vegan shredded cheese, vegan sour cream
Instructions
- Dice onion, and mince garlic.
- In a stockpot over med-high heat, saute onion in 3 Tbsp. water/broth for about 8 minutes or until translucent.
- Meanwhile, finely chop the chipotle: handling the chile carefully, gently scrape the seeds away with the back of your knife to remove them. Then mince the chile. (When finished, avoid touching your face and wash your hands very well. I try to avoid all contact with the chile, using a fork to help maneuver it.)
- Add garlic, chili powder, and cumin to the stockpot. Stir, and cook 1 minute.
- Add tomatoes with juice, 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth, minced chipotle, and 2 tsp. adobo sauce (avoiding seeds).
- Rinse and drain black beans and quinoa. Add to pot.
- Bring to a light boil. Then cover, lower heat to med-low, and simmer for about 20 minutes or until quinoa is cooked.
- Salt to taste. Serve warm garnished with desired toppings.
Notes
About the chipotle chiles: They're fairly spicy so start with one. (I usually end up using about 1 1/2.) A little goes a long way! If you’re sensitive to spice but still want the delicious, smoky flavor, simply omit the chiles and use extra adobo sauce only (avoiding seeds). OR substitute the chiles and adobo sauce altogether and opt for a small amount of dry chipotle chili powder in the spice aisle. Start with 1/4 tsp. and work your way up from there if desired. This is also a great option if you can’t find actual chipotles in adobo sauce.
The chili thickens as it sits, as the quinoa continues to soak up more liquid.
Optional additions: smoked paprika, bell pepper, sweet corn
Wondering what to do with the leftover chipotles in adobo? Check out these tips from The Kitchn.
Nutrition Per Serving (estimate)
Calories: 152kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 2g | Potassium: 683mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 29.9% | Vitamin C: 20.4% | Calcium: 9.9% | Iron: 26.4%
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Keep the chili flowing!
This looks delicious! Another great pepper, which has wonderful smoky flavor is the poblano pepper. Not quite the heat of the chipotle but very good.
Stay warm. Just cooling down here in north Florida.
Velva
Hi Velva!! YES! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂 Poblano is something I've been meaning to experiment with more but haven't yet. Do you have any favorite recipes with them? Have a great week down in that Florida sunshine!!
Made this tonight, omg so good! Probably my favorite chili! I'll be making this on repeat all winter!
Enjoyed this so much all week, I made it again tonight! I had an 8 mile run this morning in pouring, icy rain…took me hours to feel warm. The only changes I made, I added 1 Jalapeno pepper, and 2 Serrano peppers, and extra adobo peppers and sauce. I obviously love it very spicy 🙂 I also added 1/2 cup split red lentils. I had these beautiful lentils in my cupboard and thought they'd do well in this chili – omg this is really yummy! I am feeling so good, eating mostly plant based, thanks Garden Grazer for perking up my cooking routine!
Hi again Terri! Aww, SO COOL!! I love your extra pepper additions to kick it up even more 😉 And awesome call with the red lentils, they're fabulous in dishes like this! I always love seeing your pics on IG, thanks for sharing. Have a great week!!
What is a serving size for this recipe? I'm logging in My Fitness Pal and wanted to stay on track! Thank you!!
Just made it! So tasty! Curious what you did with the rest of your adobo. I wonder how long it will last for in the fridge.
Yay! So glad you tried it out and enjoyed! 🙂 So sorry I forgot to mention the leftover chipotles/adobo – I just added a link with some tips from "The Kitchn" website:
https://www.thekitchn.com/the-best-way-to-save-chipotles-in-adobo-sauce-tips-from-the-kitchn-206423
They do last quite a while in the fridge (this article says a few months even!) Or you could use their tips for freezing 🙂 Hope that helps!!