Description
A hearty and flavorful vegetarian chili made with beans, tomatoes, and spices, topped with fresh pickled onions, cilantro, and avocado for extra zest and creaminess. Perfect for a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
For the Pickled Onions:
1 lime
1 red onion or shallot, thinly sliced
Large pinch of kosher salt
Small pinch of granulated sugar
For the Chili:
Olive or grapeseed oil (for sautéing)
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced (or to taste)
1 teaspoon chile powder, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon dried oregano, plus more to taste
2 (15-ounce) cans beans, drained (any variety you like, such as black beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans)
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes with their juices
Kosher salt (to taste)
Fresh cilantro, diced avocado, and sour cream, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Zest the lime and squeeze the juice into a bowl.
- Add the thinly sliced red onion (or shallot) to the lime juice along with a pinch of kosher salt and a small pinch of granulated sugar. Toss well to coat the onions. Let them sit for at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Heat a tablespoon of olive or grapeseed oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4–5 minutes, or until softened.
- Add the minced garlic, chile powder, and dried oregano, and sauté for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in the beans and diced tomatoes with their juices, and season with kosher salt to taste. Let the chili simmer on low heat for about 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once the chili is cooked, remove it from heat and serve in bowls.
- Top with freshly pickled onions, cilantro, diced avocado, and a dollop of sour cream, if desired. Serve with your favorite side like cornbread or tortilla chips.
Notes
Adjust chile powder and oregano to your preferred spice level.
Add water or vegetable broth if the chili is too thick.
Pickled onions can be made and stored ahead of time for convenience.
Pairs well with cornbread or tortilla chips as sides.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
