Published 9/25/2023 Fall is in the air and it’s officially chili season. We developed our classic beef chili for our omnivores and this delicious quinoa chili for our herbivores. If you’re looking for a hearty, plant-based meal that’s packed with all the good stuff, then this quinoa chili is a must. We love this quinoa chili because it’s made with just one pot and you get so many servings of veggies, protein, and fiber without needing to add any meat. The flavors are on par with a few basic spices and added heat from jalapeño!
What You Need for Quinoa Chili
Quinoa: no need to precook your quinoa for this recipe. You’ll be cooking it right in the pot. Roasted Red Pepper: as part of the red sauce in this quinoa chili recipe, you’ll be blending up an entire jar of roasted red peppers! Jalapeño: jalapeño adds some heat, but you can always tame it down with green chiles instead. Beans: we used white northern and red kidney, but you can truly use 2 cans of whatever beans you have on hand. Kale: kale adds earthiness and another veggie. Spices: spices required include chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt. If you have our homemade chili seasoning on hand you can use that too! Maple syrup: maple syrup is our secret ingredient. Keep reading to see why.
Substitutions + Variations
This chili is packed with peppers and kale, but it is also very forgiving. You can really use any vegetables you’d like. Mushrooms, spinach, or sweet potatoes would be great veggie options. If you like a creamy chili, you can add a big dollop of Greek yogurt or blended cottage cheese. Feel free to add an animal protein to this quinoa chili. Cook down any ground meat with the onions and garlic.
Storage Suggestions
Let the chili cool completely. Then, transfer the chili into an airtight container and remove as much air as possible. Refrigerate for up to 3-5 days the The Dutchess To reheat: Reheat over medium/low heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. You can also reheat on high in the microwave for 60-90 minutes or until hot.
What to Serve with Quinoa Chili
Serve this quinoa chili with this harvest butternut squash salad or a simple arugula salad. You can also add great toppings to your chili to add more veggies and a ton of flavor!
