

This Vegan Quinoa Bean Chili is hearty and filling enough to satisfy even the biggest meat lover out there! It freezes beautifully so all you need to do is grab and reheat later.
Meatless Monday is an initiative with a simple message: By cutting out meat once per week, you can improve your health and reduce your carbon footprint. Every week I participate in this initiative.
It isn’t always a Monday, just one day of the week when we do not consume meat. In the past I used to feel that if I did not consume some form of meat with my meal I would not be satiated. I feared that I would be hungry soon after enjoying my meal. Alas, that is not the case with this quinoa bean chilli.
How to make a meatless chili?
Quinoa is one of the most protein-rich foods we can eat. It is a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids. Read about more benefits of quinoa here. I enjoy a good chilli but due to my tomato sensitivity I have been ruling them out. Today I had the grand idea to replace the tomatoes with butternut squash. You wont miss the tomatoes I promise you.
This dish is very flexible. I used 3 different type of beans but you can easily use one. I topped it with a tiny bit of grated goat cheese(optional) avocados and fresh cilantro leaves.
The jalapeños on the side are for hubby, he likes his food hot and spicy! Served with an arepa and this is a complete and filling meal.
This recipe yields enough to feed a small army so we ended up having meatless Monday and Tuesday with a few extra portions stashed away in the freezer for a meatless emergency. I’m not worried though.
The Superbowl is just around the corner and this chilli would make an excellent addition to the tex-mex menu I’ve got planned.
Please share this post to give your family and friends a chance to try out the recipe too.
Quinoa Bean Chili
Ingredients
- 15 oz kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 15 oz pinto beans drained and rinsed
- 15 oz white kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 pound butternut squash peeled and cubed
- 1 cup quinoa uncooked and rinsed
- 4 cups vegetable stock
- ½ onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 dry bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon cayenne powder
- salt & pepper
Optional garnishes
- cilantro leaves
- grated cheese
- jalapeños
- lime wedges
Instructions
- In a large pot saute onion and garlic in a bit of olive oil until tender.
- Add pumpkin and spices and saute for a few more minutes.
- Turn heat to medium/high and add all remaining ingredients to the pot. Bring to a rolling boil. Cover and let simmer on low for about 45 minutes.
Love the squash addition! Great chili idea!
Thanks Renee it fills in nicely for tomatoes.
Looks delicious!!!! Do you deliver??? 🙂
Thanks! Sadly no..:)
MMMmm, the texture in that bowl looks SO good. Love quinoa, so yummy and nutty.
Thanks Megan! I love quinoa too, it’s quite versatile.
Can you use red quinoa for this chili?
Can you use red quinoa for this chili?
I haven’t tried using red quinoa in this chili but I can’t see why it wouldn’t work.
What a simple and lovely dish!
Thank you Linda!
I love chili! This version sounds delicious.
Thanks Emily! It’s yummy indeed.. 🙂
Sounds delicious!
Thanks Kylie!
I need to try this! My kids love chili and quinoa, perfect combination.
Thanks Jessica! Let me know how they like it.. 🙂
Beans don’t really do well for me but this looks AMAZING!
Thanks Loriel!
Oh my goodness that looks delicious. Why have I never thought of putting quinoa in chili?
Thanks Crystal, it really does combine well. Give it a go..:)
We try to do one meatless dinner a week. I have to pin this for later, but I bet it is yummy the next day for lunch as well. Thanks for linking up at Sunday Recipe Wrap Up!!
Thank you Miranda! Its actually really good the next day plus it freezes well.
Hi Krystal,
I try to eat quinoa every day in some form! It is so healthy for us so I was delighted to see your healthy and delicious recipe for quinoa bean chili. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome recipe with us at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I’m pinning and sharing!
Thank you Deborah! I eat quinoa quite oftten as well, its so versatile, I love it!
I hope I can say the following… This looks yum yum for my tum tum! Really, that’s what I said when I saw the ingredients! Pinned and shared. =)
Thank you so much Jessica! You’re too funny!!
Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays Party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂 I can’t wait to see what you share next time!
-Cindy
Thank you so much Cindy! See you next week for sure!
Hi Krystal I just found your recipe and tried it for dinner. It was delicious! It was so tasty even my meat eating husband liked it. Thank you so much for the recipe.
Awww thanks a lot for the compliment! I’m really glad you liked it. I made it yesterday as well, will have the leftovers for lunch.. 🙂
YUM’d! This looks delicious. A definite must try! Please come share your blog posts over at the Home Matters Linky Party! We’d love to have you for a visit. The Door is OPEN. http://lifewithlorelai.com/2015/06/04/home-matters-linky-party-40/ 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai