Vegetarian Red Lentil Chili is warm, comforting and wholesome.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 30 minutes
  • Total time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8
  • Category: Soup
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 zucchini (medium, diced)
  • 1 green pepper (diced)
  • 1 yellow pepper (diced)
  • 1 red onion (chopped)
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ inch cinnamon stick
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4-6 black peppercorn
  • 3-4 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1¾ cup red lentils
  • 2 x 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes [I used Hunt's Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes]
  • 10 oz can RO*TEL Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder or cayenne powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin powder
  • salt (to taste)
  • black pepper (to taste)
  • 1 lemon juice

Method

  1. In a pan heat oil on medium heat. Once oil is hot, add bay leaves and black peppercorns. Saute for 30 seconds.
  2. Add diced zucchini, green pepper, yellow pepper and chopped onions.
  3. Cook for 6-7 minutes or till the veggies are soft and start turning brown in color.
  4. Add chopped garlic and cinnamon stick and cook for 2 minutes or till the raw smell of garlic goes away.
  5. Add Hunt's Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes and RO*TEL Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies and cook for 4-5 minutes.
  6. Add the washed and drained red lentil and mix. Cook for 2 minutes.
  7. Now add 8 cups of water, stir to combine. Also add salt, black pepper, cover and cook the lentil chili for 20-25 minutes or till lentils are softened and done.
  8. Add red chili powder/cayenne, cumin powder and mix. Cook uncovered for 3-4 minutes.
  9. Let the chili cool down a bit, remove bay leaves and then transfer half of it to a blender and blend to a smooth paste.
  10. Transfer the pureed part to the pan again and simmer for 5 minutes.
  11. Top the lentil chili with croutons, cilantro, scallions, cheese, sour cream or anything you fancy and enjoy!

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.