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Dinner recipe · from the recipe book

Smoky Black Bean and Lentil Chili

A thick, smoky chili of black beans, pinto beans and brown lentils with sweet peppers, a gentle cumin warmth and a cool, tangy yogurt and avocado topping.

Smoky Black Bean and Lentil Chili

Ingredients

  • 1½ tbsp20 gOlive oil
  • 1½ medium160 gYellow oniondiced
  • 1 cup chopped150 gRed bell pepperdiced
  • 1 whole14 gJalapeñoseeded and minced
  • 4 cloves12 gGarlicminced
  • 1 tbsp8 gChili powder
  • 1 tbsp6 gGround cumin
  • 1¾ tsp4 gPaprika (sweet or smoked)smoked
  • 2 tsp2 gDried oregano
  • 2 tbsp32 gTomato paste
  • ¾ cup150 gBrown or green lentils, dryrinsed
  • 3¼ cups720 gVegetable broth
  • 14 oz400 gDiced tomatoes, canned
  • 2 cups340 gBlack beans, canned, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can, drained277 gPinto beans, canned, drained
  • ⅛ tsp1 gSalt
  • ½ lime, juiced20 gLime juice
  • 4 oz120 gPlain Greek yogurt, nonfat
  • 1 cup diced150 gAvocadodiced
  • ½ cup chopped8 gFresh cilantrochopped

Steps

  1. Prep first: dice the onion and red bell pepper, seed and mince the jalapeño, mince the garlic, rinse the brown lentils, and chop the cilantro. Dice the avocado just before serving.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and red bell pepper and cook, stirring, until soft, about 7 minutes.
  3. Add the jalapeño and garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika and oregano, then the tomato paste; cook 1 minute, stirring, until the paste darkens.
  5. Add the brown lentils, vegetable broth and canned tomatoes with their juice. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer on low for 20 minutes.
  6. Stir in the black beans and pinto beans and simmer uncovered, stirring now and then, until the lentils are tender and the chili is thick, about 15 minutes.
  7. Turn off the heat and stir in the salt and lime juice.
  8. Ladle the chili into 4 bowls and top each with a quarter of the Greek yogurt, a quarter of the avocado and a quarter of the cilantro.

Check labels: Gluten-free when you buy vegetable broth labeled gluten-free.

Contains: Milk. Some brands contain gluten.

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Saved in the Every Helping recipe book on October 24, 2026.

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