VEGAN Lentil Chili | Cozy Instant Pot Recipe

canned tomatoes

🥗Healthier: fresh tomatoes

💰Cheaper: crushed tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes enhance flavor while crushed tomatoes are budget-friendly.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil is healthier while canola oil is cost-effective.

cilantro

💰Cheaper: parsley

Parsley offers a similar fresh flavor at a lower cost.

vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water + seasoning

Using water with added spices reduces costs.

Open the Instant Pot and add olive oil.

Add 1 medium chopped onion to the Instant Pot and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and sauté for another minute until you can smell the garlic.

Add 1/2 cup of rinsed and drained red lentils and 1 1/2 cups of rinsed and drained green lentils to the pot.

Add 3 cans of tomato sauce and 15 ounces of vegetable broth.

Add 1 can of diced tomatoes with green chilies and 1 can of red kidney beans.

Add 2 tablespoons of chili powder, 2 teaspoons of Mexican oregano, 1 teaspoon of cumin, and 1 teaspoon of salt.

Add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup for sweetness, if desired.

Stir everything together and cancel the sauté function.

Put the lid back on the Instant Pot and move the valve to sealing.

Press the bean chili button and set the timer to 12 minutes.

Wait for the Instant Pot to come to pressure (takes about 8-10 minutes).

Once cooking is done, let it release naturally for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure using a spoon.

Carefully open the Instant Pot and remove the lid.

Ladle the chili into a bowl and prepare toppings.

Garnish with cheese, tomatoes, red onions, Greek yogurt, avocados, and fresh cilantro.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary