My husband’s doctor said he needs to eat more veggies (don’t we all). That got me thinking about how best to add vegetables to meals he already loves.

Our favorite fall and winter meal is chili. Not only is it delicious and makes our taste buds dance, but we can also prepare it in the morning, and dinner is done and cleaned up!

So I have been playing around with adding more veggies to our chili, and I have to say, more, please! This is the best chili with vegetable recipe I have eaten. You will love this recipe because it can become vegetarian chili or you can add beef!

Check out our FAQs below! Also, check out our favorite Top Choice Cream Cheese Chicken Chili Recipe!

Slow Cooker Chili Recipe with Vegetables

So, You want to make a  hearty chili recipe with vegetables, but you don’t know what vegetables to use.
You would like to learn how to make a chili recipe with vegetables and make it taste amazing.
Check out our favorite beef chili recipe that is veggie loaded–and more information about chili below. You don’t have to miss the meat (unless you want to). This delicious chili has it all.

Ingredients:

• Crock Pot Liners- BPA free
• 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil.
• 1/2 large onion, diced
• 3 Garlic cloves, but you add whatever makes you happy
• 1 pound ground beef. If you want a lean meat choose ground turkey meat or 93% fat-free beef
• 1 can pinto beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 can dark kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 can light kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 cans diced tomatoes
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo Pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup of Mushrooms cut up
• 1/2 cup of green bell pepper diced up
• 1 cup of spinach

Toppings: Diced jalapenocheese and sour cream

Instructions:

• Over medium heat, heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and cook until it looks translucent.
• Add the garlic, and sauté for about 1 min. Add the ground meat of your choice or don’t! :). Break up the meat and cook it until it is brown
• Add the mushrooms and bell peppers. Let them simmer for 3 to 5 mins. They will cook further in the crock pot.
• Top with spinach and let the steam cook it.
• Place the crock pot liner in your slow cooker. Add the pinto beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce into your crockpot.
• Stir in the chili powder, oregano, Aleppo pepper, and garlic powder.
• Stir the spinach meat and vegetables. Dump, carefully, the pan into the crock pot
• Cook on low all day (or at least for four hours)
• Serve with jalapeno, cheese, and sour cream

FAQS about Chili (with vegetables)

So, you may have a few questions! Great, we love questions because we love learning with you!

I thought there would be more veggies. What other vegetables can I add?

When it comes to chili, there is a wide variety of vegetables you can add to create a unique flavor. Aside from the traditional ingredients like tomatoes, onions, and green peppers, you can also experiment with other vegetables that provide crunch and color. Some popular suggestions include mushrooms, corn, squash, green beans, carrots, and celery. You could even try adding sweet potatoes or zucchini for an extra depth of flavor.

When incorporating vegetables into your chili recipe, it’s important to remember that some vegetables will require less cooking time than others. For instance, bell peppers will need less cooking time than root vegetables like potatoes or carrots.

Why do I have to drain and rinse the beans for chili?

Draining and rinsing beans for chili is an important step in the preparation process. This helps to remove any dirt, debris, or other impurities that may be present on the beans. It also helps to reduce the amount of sodium and other seasonings that are contained in canned beans. Furthermore, by draining and rinsing the beans before adding them to the chili, it ensures that they will cook evenly, resulting in a better-tasting chili. Additionally, it can help to reduce any potential bloating or discomfort that may occur from eating the beans without proper preparation. All in all, draining and rinsing beans for chili is an essential part of making a delicious dish.

Can I use black beans in chili?

Yes, you can! They are a great ingredient to add because they provide a unique flavor and texture that other beans cannot offer. They are also high in protein and fiber, which makes them an excellent source of nutrition. Because of their mild flavor, they won’t overpower the other ingredients in your chili. These will also need to drained and rinsed before cooking.

What other topping do you add to chili?

Chili is a delicious dish that can be spiced up even more with additional toppings. Some of the most popular additions to chili include shredded cheese, onions, sour cream, diced tomatoes, and jalapenos. You could also add bacon or crumbled sausage for added flavor and texture.

If you like your chili extra spicy, top it off with some chopped jalapenos or hot sauce. Fresh cilantro and lime juice are great for adding a bright flavor to your bowl of chili. Finally, if you’re looking for something crunchy to top off your chili, crumbled tortilla chips are always a great choice! With so many options available for topping your chili, you can easily customize each individual bowl just how you like it!

Can you put raw meat in a slow cooker for chili?

We suggest you brown the meat in a pan. This helps create depth to your meat as it cooks with onions and garlic etc. However, yes, you can put raw meat in a slow cooker for chili. This is an easy and convenient way to prepare the dish without having to watch over it on the stove.

When using a slow cooker, all you have to do is put the beef, tomatoes, seasonings, and other ingredients into the pot and let it cook.

What is the best-canned chili?

Never Go Hungry. Best Canned Chili for Camping!

What Other blogs have you written about chili?

Best Chili Bowls! Check out the best of the best!

Chili Powder vs Ancho Chili Powder: The Ultimate Showdown

Heat Delivery! Chili Flakes!

Does turkey chili taste different than beef chili?

Turkey chili is a delicious alternative to beef chili. It has a similar flavor profile, but the taste is distinct. Turkey chili typically uses ground turkey as the protein instead of beef, giving it a lighter and slightly sweeter flavor. Some people even find that turkey chili has more depth than beef chili due to the combination of herbs and spices used in the recipe. The texture of turkey chili is also different; because turkey is leaner than beef, it tends to be less dense and more tender when cooked. Depending on your preference, you may find that you enjoy the unique taste of turkey chili even more than traditional beef chili.

This chili is packed with vegetables and flavor! It’s so easy. You can also make it your own. Add your favorite vegetable, or make it an extra spicy chili. Make this recipe, you will not regret it—warning: you are going to want to make it often! You just might not have any leftovers!