Easy Chipotle Bean Chili
- PREP 15min
- COOK 3hrs
- TOTAL 3hrs 15min
This vegetarian bean chili recipe is pretty flexible. You can use dried or canned beans — see our notes below for canned. When it comes to cooking, the timing above is for dried beans on the stovetop. A slow cooker will also work. I’ve shared notes below in the recipe for a guide. We use chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for this. You can find small inexpensive cans of them in the international aisle of the grocery store. Two peppers makes a mild to medium spiced chili. For a spicy version, add one or two more peppers (or add some of the adobo sauce from the can).
You Will Need
Bean Chili
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
4 ounces mushrooms, finely chopped, see notes
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder, see our homemade chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced, use more for a spicier chili
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 1/2 cups dried beans, see notes below for suggestions
4 cups water
1 cup frozen corn
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
To Serve
Lime wedges, mashed avocado, sour cream, pickled jalapeños, chopped onion, cilantro, tortillas or tortilla chips
Directions
Stovetop Method
Heat the oil in a medium heavy bottom pot with lid (we use our Dutch oven). Add the onion and mushrooms then cook, stirring occasionally until the onions are soft and translucent. Stir in the garlic, chipotles, chili powder, cumin and the salt. Cook for about a minute. Add the tomatoes and use a wooden spoon to scrape any bits stuck to the bottom of the pot.
Rinse the beans with cool water, drain and then add to the pot with the water. Bring the chili to a boil and cook for one minute. Reduce the heat to a low, gentle simmer then cover with a lid. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. If during cooking the chili seems day, add a little more water.
When the chili is done, stir in the corn and red wine vinegar. Add additional salt if needed. Cook until the corn is heated through, about 5 minutes, then serve topped with your favorite chili toppings.
Slow-Cooker Method
Cook the onion, mushrooms, garlic, chipotles, spices, salt and tomatoes as shown in the stovetop method above. Instead of a heavy-bottomed pot, you can use a skillet instead. Scrape the onion-tomato mixture into a slow-cooker. Rinse the beans with cool water, drain and then add to the slow-cooker along with 3 1/2 cups of water. Cook on HIGH for 6 to 7 hours. If the chili seems dry, add a little more water. Add the corn 20 minutes or so towards the end of cooking.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Dried beans: We usually end up using a mixture of beans when making this. Black beans are almost always included as well as kidney beans. Other varieties like pinto beans are great too. I’ve even used orca beans with great success. Since the beans are cooking for almost 3 hours, it’s not necessary to soak them beforehand. That said, if you want the beans to be very soft, you can always soak them overnight before cooking. If you choose to do this, use the 4 cups of water called for in the recipe. Whatever water is left in the bowl after soaking will be the water needed for making the chili (some will be absorbed by the beans). If when you are cooking the chili, it seems dry, add a 1/2 cup or more of water.
- Using canned beans: You will need just less than 4 cups of previously cooked or canned beans (close to three 15-ounce cans). You don’t need to add the water called for in the recipe above. Cook the onions, mushrooms, spices and tomatoes as mentioned in the recipe. Add about 1/2 cup of water then bring everything to a low simmer and cook for about 20 minutes. Add the canned/previously cooked beans then cook another 10 minutes. If the chili seems dry, add a little more water.
- Mushrooms: The mushrooms make this chili extra flavorful and almost meaty. If you don’t like mushrooms, don’t worry, if you cut them very small, you will barely notice they are there. We typically use crimini or portobello mushrooms, but shiitake or other varieties are a nice idea, too.
- This recipe was inspired by Smitten Kitchen’s Three Bean Chili.
- Nutrition facts: The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We have used the USDA Supertracker recipe calculator to calculate approximate values. We did not include any toppings in the calculations. Sodium content may also vary based on what chili powder you use.
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