Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili - Weight Loss Chili

Vegetarian Chili is simply delicious and so easy to make! This dish cooks up in your slow cooker helping you get dinner on the table in a snap. My hearty vegetarian chili slow cooker recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and as an added bonus perfect for weight loss and weight management too. Now how cool is that?

One of my favorite things about this chili is that it's so healthy and filling. Having a filling chili makes this dish for families and great for weight loss too. You can eat this weight loss chili for lunch or dinner and have a filling meal that's perfect for meal prep or leftovers.

This chili also freezes beautifully.

I've learned that it's not always easy being a vegetarian. You have to be really careful about what you eat and when you eat it. It can be hard to find anything that satisfies your hunger in public places - restaurants, for example.

And even at home, people may think of vegetarians as health freaks or something like that. Well, this recipe is for all the vegetarians out there who want something hearty but healthy they can whip up on a chilly night!

Heck, my husband and son use this recipe and add cooked ground beef or a cooked ground beef pork blend and devour it. This crock pot vegetarian chili recipe is that versatile.

is chili healthy for weight loss

What makes this chili so and healthy filling? Well, it's packed with protein! Beans are a great source of vegetarian protein. In fact, beans pack more than 10 grams of protein per cup!

This means that this recipe has almost 14 grams of protein in each serving! That's similar to the amount you'll find in a chicken breast. This really helps keep you full during meals.

Perfect for a healthy lifestyle and weight loss too. I started working with a nutritionist to change my relationship with food and she changed my life. Maybe she can help you change yours too. Check out my journey Craving Change if interested.

Don't like beans? You could easily make this recipe without them! Just replace the black and kidney beans with a pound of ground beef or turkey. It's not quite as healthy or vegetarian for that matter, but it's still very tasty if you're in the mood to switch it up once in a while.

Just like my husband and son do. They make this chili different every time they make it.

is chili good for weight loss

It most definitely is. This is the recipe I use now and again to knock off a few unwanted pounds and it works wonderfully. Usually I wake up in the morning and enjoy some scrambled eggs or my Green Smoothie for Weight Loss.

Then, later in the afternoon, when I notice I am hungry, I have a special thermal mug I use so I go and get it out. Next, I heat up some weight loss chili and fill my cup.

The cup keeps my chili hot for a few hours and I eat it here and there until I don't want any more or I finished it. I repeat everything the next day and the day after that until I feel better about me.

No sour cream and no cheese on top unless I am having a treat! And yes I consider it a treat. You might too.

I modify my healthy weight loss chili to match exactly what I am in the mood for. Here are some of my variations.

Vegetarian Chili Variations

• Sometimes I add an extra can of diced tomatoes to create more of a soup.
• Sometimes I add different beans, maybe a white or red kidney bean, maybe a blend of different beans. Anything goes.
• I may add a small bag of frozen mixed vegetables to switch things up.
• Lately I have been enjoying adding soy based crumble, instead of meat, to this delicious chili. True story that my husband couldn't tell it wasn't real ground meat when I served it to him. Soy based crumble doesn't deserve the reputation it has. I really hope you consider giving it a try. I LOVE the Mexican flavored crumble because then I don't need to add any additional chili seasoning, to my chili. Depending on the brand of soy based crumble of course.

I was glad I tried it and I am sure you will be too. Just you wait and see. I believe you'll LOVE this weight loss chili as much as I do.

Ingredients for Vegetarian Chili

• 1 Tablespoon Canola Oil
• one medium Onion, chopped
• 1 medium Red Bell Pepper, chopped
• one medium Jalapeno pepper, seeds removed and chopped
• 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 Can (28oz) stewed tomatoes
• A Can (15oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 Can (15oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• One Cup frozen corn
• ¼ Cup Tomato Paste
• 1 Teaspoon Sugar
• 1 teaspoon chopped basil (fresh or dried)
• One tablespoon Mexene Chili Powder Mix or 2 teaspoons chili powder and 1 teaspoon cumin

This is a blend of spices that make this vegetarian slow cooker chili recipe perfect. It’s my favorite spice to use, but if you can’t find it you’ll be ok to use 2 teaspoons of chili powder and 1 teaspoon of cumin.

How to Make Vegetarian Chili Slow Cooker Recipe

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic and jalapeno peppers and cook until translucent and soft.
2. Transfer to your slow cooker along with the remaining ingredients. Stir to combine.
3. Cook on low for 4-5 hours.
4. Serve with favorite toppings – sour cream, grated cheese, avocado, chips etc.

How do I store this vegetarian chili recipe

Once your vegetarian chili recipe is  completely cooled store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can I freeze this dish

Yes, this recipe does freeze well.  Place in a freezer safe resealable bag and freeze for up to 6 months.

What is Mexene Chili Powder Mix

This is a blend of spices that make a chili perfect.  It’s my favorite spice to use, but if you can’t find it you’ll be ok to use 2 Teaspoons of chili powder and 1 teaspoon of cumin.

I like to top this chili off with crushed tortilla chips, sour cream and shredded cheese. This makes it a lot like nachos! 

So there you have it! All those people who want a great, delicious chili recipe without any meat will love this recipe! Even if you're not a vegetarian, this makes for a great dish on a cold night. It's quick and easy to make and can be a great addition to your regular dinner rotation.  

This recipe is great for the cold winter months, and it's a favorite of mine to make when I'm feeling sick or just want something warm on a chilly day.

It's packed with flavor from all of the spices which also help boost your immunity against those nasty bugs that start showing up this time of year. And if you're not vegetarian, feel free to add soy based crumble or ground beef instead!

Let me know in the comments below how you like this chili - whether as-is or tweaked by adding meat.

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