Veggie Loaded Chili Recipe (2024)

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This Veggie Loaded Chilirecipe is packed full with healthy vegetables and fiber-rich beans – it’s great for any occasion from game day to a family dinner. It’s a diabetic-friendly recipe too.

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When we were first married, David was totally against having chili for dinner because he had it so much as a kid. I didn’t have it often as a child, so I welcomed the idea of chili for dinner, and I especially loved how inexpensive it was to make.

Over the years, David slowly started to accept the idea of chili as a meal. It mostly came about in 2009 or so when we started changing the way we ate. We wanted to eat healthy meals that didn’t always include a chicken breast, and making chili was a perfect fit.

The Veggie Chili recipe I am sharing with you today is very similar to the chili we’ve been throwing together for years, with one big (and delicious) difference: it’s loaded in vegetables. I never considered adding this many vegetables to our chili, but now that I’ve made this Veggie Chili, I’m not sure I could ever go back.

Veggie Loaded Chili Recipe (2)

This recipe comes from the American Diabetes Association cookbook called Healthy Calendar Diabetic Cooking by Lara Rondinelli-Hamilton, RD, LDN, CDE, and Chef Jennifer Bucko Lamplough. It contains a full year of menus and easy recipes. As I mentioned two weeks ago, I never would have considered using a diabetic cookbook for my own healthy eating. I would have just assumed that they are for those with diabetes, and if you don’t have diabetes, there is no sense in cooking with such recipes, right?

How wrong I was!

Veggie Loaded Chili Recipe (3)

I’vequickly learned that diabetic cookbooks, like Healthy Calendar, have the kind of wholesome recipes that we need. The Healthy Calendar Diabetic Cooking cookbook includes hundreds of recipes too — all of them laid out according to month, which also includes weekly menus and shopping lists. As someone who loves timesavers and things perfectly organized, I am a huge fan of all of this.

Now, as I mentioned this chili is packed full of veggies. When you make it, be sure to prep everything beforehand and then it’s a breeze to cook up. For the zucchini, I cut it in quarters lengthwise and then sliced to give little triangle chunks. The carrots were peeled and then sliced in my food processor (you could do it by hand). The original recipe called for green bell peppers, but we decided to go with a red bell peppers, which definitely made this a colorful chili.

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While you could have this chili anytime, I think it’s particularly great for game day. So often game day food isn’t the healthiest and while I love those things as much as the next person, this recipe is something everyone can enjoy, even if they aren’t losing weight or a person with diabetes.

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I served our Veggie Chili with optional toppings, such as shredded cheese, light sour cream, sliced jalapenos and hot sauce for those who wanted it spicier. Of course, adding toppings willalter the nutritional content of the recipe. You don’t have to use extra toppings — this chili is delicious without extras —but everyone in our house liked creating their own chili masterpieces.

Veggie Loaded Chili Recipe (6)

Veggie Loaded Chili Recipe

If eating healthier is important to you too, I encourage you to check out the catalog of American Diabetes Associationcookbooks – there is lots of great titles available for every type of cooking.

Here’s the full Veggie Loaded Chili recipe – be sure to pin to Pinterest for safe keeping!

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Veggie Loaded Chili Recipe (7)

Veggie Loaded Chili Recipe

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5 from 2 reviews

  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
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Description

This Veggie Loaded Chilirecipe is packed full with healthy vegetables and fiber-rich beans – it’s great for any occasion from game day to a family dinner. It’s a diabetic-friendly recipe too.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 medium onion (chopped)
  • 4 carrots (sliced)
  • 1 green bell pepper (chopped)
  • 1 zucchini (chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1, 16- ounce can kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
  • 1, 16- ounce can black beans (rinsed and drained)
  • 1, 15- ounce can tomato sauce
  • 2, 14.5- ounce cans no-salt-added diced tomatoes in juice

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat.
  2. Add onion and carrots and sauté 5 minutes. Add green pepper and zucchini and sauté another 2 minutes.
  3. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Add chili powder and all remaining ingredients; bring to a boil.
  4. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 30-35 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

Notes

Calories 179
Carbohydrate 33 g
Protein 9 g
Fat 3 g
Saturated Fat 0 g
Dietary Fiber 10 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 492 mg

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 179
  • Fat: 3
  • Saturated Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 33
  • Fiber: 10
  • Protein: 9
  • Cholesterol: 0

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Veggie Loaded Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

A cup of strong, brewed coffee will work wonders for your pot of chili, imparting a deep, roasted flavor that will make the chili taste like it simmered away all day long. For maximum flavor, reduce the coffee along with a blend of tomato paste, aromatic veggies and spices like we do in our Spicy Vegetarian Chili.

Do you cook vegetables before putting in chili? ›

Before you add any liquid to your chili, make sure your vegetables (onions, bell peppers, garlic, etc.) are softened and the meat (ground beef, turkey, short ribs, or chicken) is well seasoned and browned on the outside. The meat and vegetables will continue cooking once you add the liquid and let the chili simmer.

What can I add to chili to make it amazing? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

What are the best beans for chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

What liquid is best for chili? ›

While something as basic as water will get the job done, broth is a quick and simple way to give chili an extra-savory flavor, and canned tomatoes can add a layer of sweetness. When adding beer or wine, you'll want to keep it to about 1/2 cup when using the slow cooker, so the flavor isn't overpowering.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

Does chili need tomato paste? ›

Tomato paste may come in a small can (or tube), but it packs a powerful punch and is an essential flavor building block for dishes like chili and beef stew.

Should I saute onions before adding to chili? ›

Sautéing onions, garlic, and other veggies first coaxes maximum flavor out of them. So make sure your onions, for example, are soft and translucent before you add your liquid.

Should I use diced or whole tomatoes for chili? ›

How to choose the right tomato: For a slow-cooked Bolognese sauce, choose whole peeled tomatoes. The long cooking time will slowly thicken the tomato sauce and break down the pieces. If you are making chili that will cook for 30 to 40 minutes, diced tomatoes will work best.

Is Chilli better in crockpot or stove? ›

Chili is perhaps the ideal slow-cooker dish because its flavor improves with a long, slow simmer.

What does cinnamon do to chili? ›

Much like adding chili powder and other common chili spices, cinnamon is a super versatile spice that adds warmth without the heat to Firecracker chili.

Does paprika go in chili? ›

Ingredients In The Best Chili

Beef – Ground beef, lean or regular will work just fine. Spices – Chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, and cayenne are our flavor weapons today. Beans – We're just using drained and rinsed red kidney beans from the can today.

When to add tomato paste to chili? ›

Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add tomato paste, stirring to coat vegetables. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 7 minutes.

What Flavours compliment chilli? ›

Ground cumin

This spice is commonly used in Mexican cuisine and pairs nicely with hot peppers to round out the flavours of the dish. Cumin's fragrance and warmth helps to create a balanced palate, with its deep earthiness and lemony hint brightening up any chilli recipe.

What do Mexicans eat with chilli? ›

And to serve

In Mexico, they make a green rice, using a long-grain variety flavoured with salsa verde. Paul also suggests trying an ancient grain such as quinoa or faro, as well as corn tortillas and condiments such as guacamole, salsas and sour cream. “Chilli con carne is very communal,” he says.

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