This easy crockpot vegetarian chili recipe tastes delicious and is easy to make with basic pantry ingredients, three beans, vegetables, and spices. Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and includes stove top instructions, too!

close up of crockpot vegetarian chili in a white bowl with toppings

We’re big fans of crockpot chili recipes around here, and this recipe is no exception!

This hearty slow cooker three bean vegetarian chili is full of vegetables like onion, bell pepper, carrot, and celery, and packed with hearty kidney, pinto, and black beans.

It’s easy to throw together from common pantry staples and requires minimal prep, making it the perfect dump-and-go slow cooker recipe for just about any occasion.

This one-pot vegetarian, vegan slow cooker dinner is a recipe you’ll find yourself making again and again.

How to Make Vegetarian Chili in the Slow Cooker

Once you chop & add all your ingredients to the crockpot, this slow cooker vegan chili is a hands-off recipe.

The low & slow cook time allows the vegetables to get tender, and for all the flavors & spices to meld.

Easy slow cooker recipes are essentially one-pot meals, meaning less dishes and less clean up for you.

This healthy recipe makes a lot, so it’s perfect for easy entertaining, feeding a crowd, or to freeze extra servings for lunch or dinner another day

top down shot of beans and bell peppers and spices in a black slow cooker pot

How to Use & Serve Slow Cooker Vegan Chili

Toppings make a chili, so load up on hot sauce, chopped onion, cilantro, jalapeno, avocado, 4-ingredient guacamole, sour cream, cheese, chips if you like.

Make it chili mac! Stir the chili together with cooked pasta and cheese (vegan or traditional).

Use leftover chili as a burrito filling wrapped in warm tortillas or as a taco filling.

Serve with crusty bread or these easy sweet potato muffins.

Enjoy a simple salad on the side like this creamy cabbage slaw, or with a simple salad tossed with chipotle honey salad dressing or balsamic vinaigrette.

How to Store or Freeze Leftover Crockpot Vegetarian Chili

Homemade three bean slow cooker vegan chili will keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, in a sealed container

This recipe also freezes well, store in a sealed freezer friendly container for up to 2-3 months

Make Ahead Tip: This recipe can be made ahead! Perfect for meal prep on busy weeks (or anytime you need to feed a crowd quickly & easily)

crockpot vegetarian chili being ladled out of a black pot

Recipe Notes, Modifications & Adaptations

Use any color or combination of bell peppers you like.

If you can’t find or don’t have fire roasted tomatoes, regular diced tomatoes are fine too.

Any bean will work here, including canned black, bean, pinto, white, or chickpeas

This is a very mild chili. For a spicier version add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper along with the other ingredients and stir in a tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce at the end.

Tip: If you want to make this slow cooker chili with ground turkey, try this Crockpot Turkey Chili recipe instead!

Ingredient Notes & Substitution Suggestions

Onion: Red onion can also be used, or leave it out if you don’t like onions.

Bell pepper: Any color of bell pepper will work in this recipe.

Carrot: Carrots add a lovely natural sweetness to this chili. Look for whole, top-on carrots if you can find them!

Celery: Adds depth of flavor, but can be omitted if needed.

Tomato sauce: Look for canned tomato sauce near the other canned tomato products. Look for one with no-added sugar to keep this recipe sugar-free.

Fire roasted tomatoes: Add a smokiness to this recipe, but regular diced tomatoes will work well, too.

Beans: I use a mix of black, pinto, and kidney beans for this recipe, but feel free to use what you have on hand. Chili beans and white beans will also work.

Koser salt: If using table salt, you may need to reduce the amount.

Spices: Ground cumin, granulated garlic, chili powder, and smoked paprika all add tons of flavor will little effort. Two cloves of minced fresh garlic can be used in place of the garlic powder, and regular paprika in place of smoked. Use a mild chili powder to keep the spiciness low, or hot chili powder for a kick.

Fresh lime juice: Don’t skip the fresh lime juice! It really makes this dish.

white bowl of crockpot vegetarian chili surrounded by chips and fresh herbs

This Recipe Is…

More Easy Slow Cooker Chili Recipes

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

close up of crockpot vegetarian chili in a white bowl with toppings
5 stars (78 ratings)

Crockpot Vegetarian Chili

Servings: 6
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 4 hrs
Total: 4 hrs 10 mins
This easy crockpot vegetarian chili recipe tastes delicious and is easy to make with basic pantry ingredients, three beans, vegetables, and spices. Gluten free and vegan!
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup diced yellow onion
  • 1 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 1 cup chopped carrot
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 (15-oz) can no-sugar added tomato sauce
  • 1 (15-oz) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1 (15-oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tsp kosher salt, divided
  • 1 tsp granulated garlic powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp mild chili powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 2 tbsp hot sauce (optional)

optional toppings:

  • Easy Guacamole
  • Hot sauce, chopped onion, cilantro, jalapeno, avocado, sour cream, cheese, chips

Equipment

Instructions 

  • To a 6-quart slow cooker, add the onion, bell pepper, carrot, celery, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika, stirring to combine.
  • Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-7 or until the vegetables are tender.
  • Uncover, stir in the lime juice and hot sauce, if using. Taste and add the remaining salt if desired. Serve as is or with any toppings you like.

Stove Top Instructions

  • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot or Dutch Oven over medium heat. Add the onions and a pinch of salt, stirring until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the bell pepper, carrot, and celery, and cook an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika, stirring to combine.
  • Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook, covered, until the veggies are very tender and the chili has thickened, about 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Uncover, stir in the lime juice and hot sauce, if using. Taste and add the remaining salt if desired. Serve as is or with any toppings you like.

Notes

See blog post for ingredients swaps and modification ideas.
For low-sodium, use low- or no-sodium beans and tomato products.
Author: Robyn Downs
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 (of 6), Calories: 246kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 729mg, Potassium: 973mg, Fiber: 15g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 5114IU, Vitamin C: 47mg, Calcium: 134mg, Iron: 5mg
Nutrition disclaimer
Did you make this recipe?If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!

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