Black Bean Quinoa Chili

5 from 4 votes

Tri-color quinoa chili is a hearty and healthy black bean filled chili stew. Loaded up with a variety of beans, delicious quinoa and flavorful seasonings, this isn't a boring old chili recipe. One pot or crock pot - yum!

Prep Time20

Cook Time25

Total Time45

Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 197kcal

Author: Trisha Haas - Salty Side Dish

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 lb lean ground beef
1/2 cup diced onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 oz. diced green chilies
28 oz. crushed tomatoes
15.25 oz. white kidney beans/ cannellini beans drained and rinsed
15.25 oz. black beans drained and rinsed
15.25 oz. corn drained
1 green bell pepper chopped
2 cups beef broth
chopped fresh cilantro optional

Instructions

Cook raw quinoa in 2 cups water according to package directions. Let cool.
Add vegetable oil, uncooked ground beef, diced white onion, and minced garlic to a large stock pot. Heat pot on medium-high heat until beef is brown and cooked. Drain any excess grease.
Add minced garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper and mix well.
Stir in COOKED quinoa, can of undrained green chilies, can of tomatoes, black beans, cannellini beans, can of drained corn, chopped green bell pepper, and beef broth.
Heat on medium high, covered, stirring occasionally until boiling.
Reduce heat to simmer and heat, covered, for 20 minutes or until bell peppers are soft and tender.
Serve bowl of quinoa chili with fresh chopped cilantro and a variety of extra chili toppings (suggestions listed below).

Notes

SLOW COOKER CHILI: If you want to translate this recipe to a slow cooker option, you first have to cook the beef, onions, and garlic together. Then transfer the beef and the rest of the ingredients to a slow cooker on high for 4 hours or low for 6.

Optional Chili Toppings:

Shredded Cheese - Cheese is the most popular choice for an optional chili topping. Add any kind of cheese from cheddar to pepper jack for a bit of spice.

Chopped Avocado - Keeping with the theme of a mild chili or healthy chili, add a bit of pretty chopped and ripe avocado to the top of the chili.

Diced Tomatoes - While different tomato flavors can make a good difference in color, texture, and flavor inside cooked chili, it’s also one of the more common and favorite chili toppings. Just dice and add a bit of beautiful red tomatoes or fire-roasted tomatoes right on top.

Green Onions - Chopped green onions or chopped green pepper not only bring a sweet and savory flavor but add a bit of pretty decoration for this quinoa chili recipe.

Sour Cream - Want to take down the heat? A dollop of sour cream is one of the ways we keep the spice low and the chili creamy.

Green Chiles - A little extra spice like green chiles, diced poblano peppers, chipotle peppers or bits of jalapeno are perfect for someone that likes heat. Hot Sauce also is great for chili with quinoa as one of the favorite toppings.

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