This slow cooker vegetarian chili is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it dinner. Throw some pantry staples into your crockpot, walk away, and come back to a delicious, rich, and flavor-packed dinner full of perfectly seasoned vegetables and beans. It’s minimal effort for maximum flavor.

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Hey friends! Got a busy week ahead, craving something cozy, or need an easy way to feed a crowd? This slow cooker vegetarian chili has your back. It’s the recipe I reach for when I want a hearty, flavorful meal without spending much time in the kitchen.

I love cooking something fancy now and then, but there are plenty of days when I want dinner to magically make itself. That’s where this chili comes in. It’s based on my easy vegetarian chili , but this slow-cooker version is even simpler. Everything goes into the crockpot, and a few hours later, you’re greeted with a big pot of comfort.

The flavor is rich and well-seasoned with chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and chili flakes, and I like adding a small pinch of sugar to balance. It’s incredibly flexible—I make it slightly differently almost every time, depending on which beans or veggies I have on hand, and it always works. Best of all, it’s a total crowd-pleaser and perfect when you’re feeding people with different dietary needs, since it’s naturally vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free.

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How do I store leftover vegetarian chili?

Leftovers store and freeze well, making this ideal for meal prep for a week of lunches! Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days in an airtight container or in the freezer for up to three months in a freezer-proof container. Thaw it in the fridge a day before you plan to reheat it.

What beans should I use?

I like to use red kidney beans that I rinse and drain. You can also use black beans, pinto beans, or a mix of beans! But this recipe is versatile, so it’ll taste amazing with any canned beans you have in your pantry.

Can I adjust the spice level?

You can! If you want a milder vegetarian chili, lessen the amount of chili powder you use. If you like a kick, add more chili powder or jalapeño, red chili flakes, or cayenne pepper.

Watch how to make this chili

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili cooking in a crockpot - 3

More vegetarian chili recipes

For more inspiration, check out all of our vegetarian recipes !

Vegetarian Chocolate Quinoa Chili

Sweet Potato Chili with Chickpeas

Vegetarian Chili Recipe (easy to make with lots of veggies)

Chipotle Bourbon Pumpkin Chili

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Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 28-ounce cans of whole tomatoes and their juice
  • 3 stalks celery , diced
  • 2 bell peppers , diced
  • 2 medium carrots , diced
  • 1 large onion , diced
  • 4 cloves garlic , finely minced
  • 1-2 tablespoons chili powder , more will be spicier
  • 2 tablespoons cumin
  • 1 tablespoon sugar , can sub brown or coconut sugar
  • 1 teaspoon EACH: oregano and sea salt
  • A pinch of chili flakes , optional
  • 2 15-ounce cans of beans , drained and rinsed - we like to use red kidney beans
  • 2 cups frozen corn , you could use fresh but frozen is easy and works great
  • Optional toppings: sour cream, cheddar, green onions, diced avocado, cilantro

Instructions

  • Empty the cans of tomatoes into your slow cooker and use a potato masher to roughly chop them up. 2 28-ounce cans of whole tomatoes and their juice
  • Add the celery, peppers, carrots, onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, coconut sugar, oregano, salt, and chili flakes and stir well. Cover and turn on your slow cooker for 5-6 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low. 3 stalks celery, 2 bell peppers, 2 medium carrots, 1 large onion, 4 cloves garlic, 1-2 tablespoons chili powder, 2 tablespoons cumin, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon EACH: oregano and sea salt, A pinch of chili flakes
  • Stir in the beans and corn and let them sit for 10 minutes to warm through. Season to taste with sea salt. 2 15-ounce cans of beans, 2 cups frozen corn
  • Serve the slow cooker vegetarian chili in a bowl with any or all of the optional toppings. Optional toppings: sour cream, cheddar, green onions, diced avocado, cilantro

Notes

https://www.theendlessmeal.com/slow-cooker-vegetarian-chili-recipe/