Slow Cooker Chipotle Bean Chili

This delicious Slow Cooked Chipotle Bean Chili is so easy to make! All you need is a slow cooker, a handful of ingredients, and 5 minutes to prep. This healthy bean chili is also high in protein, vegan, and low in calories. It’s perfect for cooking in a big batch and meal prepping, costing just $1.61 per serving.

Can I Meal Prep This Recipe?

Yes! It’s perfect for meal prepping! It’s completely no fuss, it just uses the slow cooker pot, requires only a couple of minutes of prep, and is super healthy! The best thing is, just like regular chili, it develops flavor over time, so it only gets better the next day; it’s perfect to add to your healthy crockpot meal prep list.

You can serve it in multiple ways. My two favorite is with either a side of Mexican flavored rice or in a tortilla wrap with fillings! Some of my favorites to add are guacamole, sour cream, rice, herbs & cheese.

125 grams of Cooked Rice & Chipotle Bean Chili Nutrition Label

1 Tortilla Wrap & Chipotle Bean Chili Nutrition Label

Storage Information

To store this bean chili, transfer it to an airtight container and leave it to cool. Then add an airtight lid and place it in the fridge. The bean chili will last for up to 3 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer.

To thaw, take it out of the freezer and place it in the refrigerator the night before you plan on using it and use it within 24 hours.

What Size Slow Cooker Should I Use?

It’s important to use the right size slow cooker to avoid undercooking or overcooking. For this recipe, I used a 3.5-quart slow cooker, which worked great!

• Small 2 quart slow cookers still work with the recipe quantities.
• Larger 4 quart and larger slow cookers need to be doubled for the best results.

For more information about slow cooker sizes, here’s my guide for Different Slow Cooker Sizes, and for more recipes to use with your slow cooker check out these 75 Dirt-Cheap Crockpot Recipes.

What is Chipotle Paste?

The chipotle paste is a purée made from chipotle chilies, which are ripe jalapeño chilies. It combines with other ingredients like onion, garlic, tomato purée, vinegar, spices, dried herbs, and sugar to create a thick, flavorful paste.

It has a smoky, spicy flavor that can add depth to various dishes. Chipotle paste is a popular ingredient in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine. It’s a great addition to marinades, sauces, vegetable broth, braises, and even soups. It is also great as a rub on grilled meats or added to vegetarian chili for extra depth and flavor.

The chipotle paste will add a unique and delicious flavor to any dish –  thanks to its intense flavor and aroma.

Ingredient & Cost Information

• Onion – The best onion to use is either a yellow or red onion. Whichever you use just make sure to dice it very finely! – $0.30
• Garlic – Use fresh garlic cloves, they are much better than pre-minced garlic or garlic powder. – $0.15
• Chipotle Paste – Is usually found in the aisle with the jarred or international foods. The best replacement for chipotle paste is ground chipotle or smoked chili powder. – $0.45
• Mixed Beans – They are widely popular in supermarkets and contain a selection of beans. This is usually a mix of Haricot, Pinto, Borlotti, Cannellini, Black-Eyed, and Red Kidney Beans and Chick Peas. As a replacement, you can use 3 types of your favorite beans listed above, or try this combination of Pinto, Cannellini & Red Kidney Beans. – $2.5
• Chopped Tomatoes – Use the best tinned chopped tomatoes you can get, it will make a difference! Cheaper tomatoes tend to be more acidic and less sweet so you might want to add 1/2 tsp of sugar when using a cheaper brand. – $2.8
• Smoked Paprika – Adds a nice smokey flavor to the vegetarian chili, but can be swapped for any other type of paprika. – $0.09
• Cumin – Make sure to use ground cumin instead of cumin seeds, it will infuse into the bean vegetarian chili much better! – $0.08
• Cayenne Pepper – Cayenne pepper adds a nice spicy kick to the vegetarian chili. – $0.15
• Oregano – The Mexican and Mediterranean oregano both work with this recipe, if you had a choice opt for the Mexican oregano but the latter still works! – $0.07
• Bell Peppers (optional) – Any color bell pepper will work, just make sure to dice the bell peppers finely. – $1.25

The total price for one batch of chipotle bean chili is approximately $6.44, which is $1.61 per portion.

Step by Step Instructions

1. Start by prepping your ingredients. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Measure out the chipotle paste, paprika, cumin, and oregano.
2. Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat and add a tablespoon of oil. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and light-gold in color. Add the garlic and cook for a further 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add the chipotle paste, paprika, bell peppers, cayenne pepper, cumin, oregano and a dollop of sour cream. Mix and place the lid on. Cook for a further minute before adding the canned tomatoes and black beans.

4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring on occasion. 
5. Transfer the vegetarian chili beans to the cooker.
6. Turn on the cooker and cook at either high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.  Take off the lid and mix well. Taste and season with salt if necessary.
7. Serve the vegetarian chili chipotle beans with rice, avocado, and a sprinkle of fresh coriander. Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks for Making Slow Cooker Chipotle Bean vegetarian Chili

Making vegetarian chili in a slow cooker is a great way to enjoy a delicious and hearty meal with minimal effort. Slow-cooker chipotle bean vegetarian chili is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish. It is perfect for meal prepping.

Here are tips for making flavorful and delicious slow-cooker chipotle vegetarian chili.

Prep The Ingredients

Preparing your ingredients before you start cooking. It will save valuable time during the cooking process. Chop the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño pepper and mince the garlic. Measure out all the spices to add to the vegetarian chili, and ensure you have enough black beans on hand.

Choose Your Heat Level

Chipotle peppers add a smoky flavor and a kick of heat to the vegetarian chili. For a milder vegetarian chili, opt for one or two chipotle peppers. For a spicier chili, add more chipotle peppers. You can also adjust the heat level by adding more or less jalapeño pepper.

Use A Blender Or Food Processor

If you want a creamy vegetarian chili, you can use a blender or food processor to puree a portion of the cooked chili. Add in some sour cream for an extra creamy texture. This will give the chili a thicker and creamier texture.

Add Your Favorite Chili Toppings

Toppings are a great way to add flavor and texture to the vegetarian chili. Add diced tomatoes, bell peppers, avocado, sour cream, cheddar cheese, cilantro, or green onions.

Questions to Ask When Making Slow Cooker Chipotle Beans Chili

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