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Slow Cooker Vegan Chili [Gluten-Free]

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This Slow Cooker Vegan Chili features tri-color bell peppers and three kinds of beans, but the true star is the butternut squash.

Slow Cooker Vegan Chili
WARNING! This Slow Cooker Vegan Chili is so good, you will not miss the meat!

How do I know this? Weeeeeeell, a little birdie told me.

OK, fine…it wasn’t a birdie; it was a man.

And he wasn’t little; he was pretty tall.

Soooo, of course I am talking about Greg and how he repeatedly stated several times throughout eating this meal: “You don’t need the meat…you just don’t need it.”

Not only do you not “need the meat,” but you also do not need cheese or sour cream.

Say what?!

Yeah I said it. The cheese lover has spoken. Now if you’ll excuse me, I would like to get back to talking about this chili.

What makes this chili special is not the three kinds of beans. Nor is it the colorful red, yellow and orange bell peppers. It’s not the combination of spices either. It is the star ingredient…

DRUM ROLL PLEASE…

Butternut Squash!

This autumn favorite has a meaty texture, yet adds a sweet and subtle flavor to this dish. Combined with protein packed pinto, dark kidney and cannellini beans, you really won’t miss the meat in this chili.

So back to the topic of cheese. Trust me. You don’t need it or the sour cream. The butternut squash adds the perfect amount of creaminess to this meal. Instead, top with fresh cilantro and scallions to complement the flavors found in this chili.

Now for the best part…

This Slow Cooker Vegan Chili is super easy to make!

Learn how to make it

Start by adding beans, bell peppers, jalapeno, onion, garlic, butternut squash, crushed tomatoes and seasonings to your slow cooker. Then, stir to combine all ingredients, cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours.

Slow Cooker Vegan Chili

Slow Cooker Vegan Chili
When you’re ready to enjoy, top with fresh cilantro and scallions and dig in!

Slow Cooker Vegan Chili

5 from 2 votes
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Slow Cooker Vegan Chili

This Slow Cooker Vegan Chili features tri-color bell peppers and three kinds of beans, but the true star is the butternut squash.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword butternut squash, cannellini beans, chili, gluten free, meatless monday, slow cooker, vegan, vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8 -10
Author Sherri Hall

Ingredients

  • 1 (15 oz.) can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 oz.) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
  • 1 yellow bell pepper (chopped)
  • 1 orange bell pepper (chopped)
  • 1 jalapeno (seeded and diced)
  • 1 yellow onion (chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
  • 1 (20 oz.) package cubed butternut squash (approximately 4 1/2 cups)
  • 2 (28 oz.) cans crushed tomatoes in a thick puree
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • Fresh chopped cilantro (for garnish)
  • Chopped scallions (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Add beans, bell peppers, jalapeno, onion, garlic, butternut squash, crushed tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt to your slow cooker and stir to combine.
  2. Cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours.
  3. Serve topped with cilantro and scallions.

So, what do you think? Let me know in the comments below. And if you make this recipe, tag @watchlearneat in your photos on Instagram. 🙂

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  7. I totally agree, you don’t need meat almost at all (I’m not Vegan/Vegetarian btw). I make vegan or vegetarian stew all the time – it’s easy, delicious and healthy 🙂 Great recipe!

    Reply


  9. I’m definitely adding this chili to my “to try” list. I just made sweet potato chili the other day, but butternut squash sounds divine! I’m going to need my sour cream and cheese though… I might not miss the meat but I gotta have my toppings! 😛

    Reply

    • Thanks Olivia! I hope you enjoy it – with your cheese and sour cream of course! 🙂 I will have to check out your sweet potato chili – sounds delicious!

      Reply

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