Slow cooker bean and quinoa chili
This slow cooker bean and quinoa chili not only is healthy for you but is pretty much guilt free. No high-fat ingredients or oil added to it. Tons of veggies and fiber
As I mentioned a few weeks back, I have been using my slow cooker quite often lately. I have actually made this Slow cooker bean and quinoa chili twice this week not only because it is super easy to put together but because it is actually very nutritious and delicious.
For this time around, I kept my chili version vegetarian but if you like you can add some organic ground beef or turkey.
I also used a couple of different types of beans for my chili. You can do the same or just make it with one kind of beans. The end result will still be good and not that much different from mine.
Adding the quinoa was genius in my opinion. If you don’t like quinoa you can certainly omitted, I just thought it went well with the chili. Also, I made quite a large quantity because I normally freeze half of it for future meals since it freezes quite well. I like to have a few meals where I can just freeze and have a week or two after making it. It sure helps me with my super busy schedule.
Anyhow, there is not much that I can elaborate on this slow cooker bean and quinoa chili . Feel free to add any other veggies or protein to it like I mentioned above.
Enjoy!
PrintSlow cooker bean and quinoa chili
Miryam's original recipe
Yield: 6-8 servings
Total Time: 6 hours
Ingredients:
- 16 oz dried red beans, pre-soaked overnight
- 8 oz dried black beans, pre-soaked overnight
- 28 oz canned chopped tomatoes
- 2 tbsp natural taco seasoning
- 10 oz frozen organic corn
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 2 tbsp organic tomato puree
- 2 tsp Celtic salt
- 6 cups hot water
Directions:
Add all of the ingredients except corn and quinoa to the slow cooker. Set on high for 5-6 hours.
After the time has past, check to see if you need to add more liquid and how tender the beans are. If they are still too hard cook further for another hour otherwise add the quinoa and corn and cook further for 30 minutes. Leave slow cooker on warm setting until ready to serve.
Nutrition facts calculated based on the recipe giving 6 servings.
Hello there. My name is Miryam and I am the clinical dietitian and Physician Assistant behind Eat Good 4 Life. My wish is to inspire you to start cooking healthier so that you can live a longer and happier life. Thanks for stopping by (
Sounds amazimg except for the taco seasoning. Instead of the taco seasoning try using cumin , chilipowder, paprika, and a pinch of cayanne. That taco seasoning crap has alot of sodium in it and prob other stuff to..
Trust me the taco seasoning I use is good with none of that stuff :-) Thanks for visiting!!
Is the quinoa already cooked or are you saying uncooked?
It is uncooked :-)
What brand of taco seasoning do you use?
I get it from trader Joes :-)
I’ve made quinoa chili before, but never in a slow cooker, so I LOVE this! :)
There are couple of things I need to get, a slow cooker and a kitchenaid. Can’t believe I don’t have em’, this chili is a must try. I am a big vegetarian fan, and this looks so so delicious.
Thanks for sharing an awesome recipe.
Nice dish with seasoning ingredients. In my region, south east of Europe, also known as Balkan we have a few similar recipes. The only difference is that we use a lot of onion , garlic and paprika to cooked dishes like this one. But it is always good to try something different and I will definitely will cook it over weekend. Let you know how me and my family like it:)
I made this and it was delish!
Thanks so much for reporting back :-) I am glad you liked it!!
do you know of any place else to get the natural taco seasoning? It sounds like a great recipe
You can also find it at whole foods or just make your own w/ a mixture of spices like cumin, paprika, oregano, chili powder, onion and garlic powder and salt :-) Thanks for visiting my blog.
I have to leave earlier than I wante and need to have this ready when I get home. Could I cook it on low for 7-8 hours or would that ruin the beans?
No I don’t think so :-) Let me low how you like it!!
Can you use regular canned beans?
If you want to use regular canned beans you don’t need to use the slow cooker. You will be done pretty much just in 20-30 minutes sine the beans will be cooked already. You can do this recipe in your stove top.
Great recipe! I made this for lunch today (it’s raining in WA, lol) on the stovetop, since I used canned beans. I added two bell peppers and used 1 can each of black beans, red kidney beans, and garbanzo beans. It tasted delicious and my meat-loving hubby enjoyed it with some leftover rotisserie chicken added. :) Thank you!
Can I use canned beans instead of the ones I have to soak overnight?
You do but you won’t have to cook it for so long since the caned beans are already cooked. I really suggest using the dried ones if you can :-)
Just wanted to say that i made this and it is amazing!
If i added beef would that work too? As in add it in the start with the beans?
For sure. I am glad you like it :-)
Yes that would work just fine :-)
This looks great. Really have to locate that slow cooker. :-)
Love this for a hearty, meatless dinner! Sounds perfect on this cold, snowy day we’re having today!
Such a wonderful, easy recipe and so versatile! I could easily see throwing some chopped zucchini into this when the weather warms up.
This recipe looks delicious! How much less water would you use for this recipe if you use canned beans instead of dried?
I think with 3 cups you should be good :-)
Just wanted to make a note: after soaking the beans, I’d definitely recommend boiling them for 10 minutes before putting them in the slow cooker. I was completely unaware of the endogenous toxins within beans, especially red kidney beans, which actually intensify when cooked at low temperatures. Both my husband and myself were pretty sick after eating this, did a quick google search, and… who knew??
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/beware-of-the-beans-how-beans-can-be-a-surprising-source-of-food-poisoning-931862.html
If I wanted to add ground turkey into the recipe when would I add it in? Cooked or uncooked?
I would add uncooked turkey the last two hours of cooking the chili. I hope this helps!
Are the beans 16 ounces BEFORE soaking , or 16 ounces AFTER soaking? I’m a bean soaking novice. Thank you!
Before soaking!
Do you rinse the quinoa first?
You could if you want to but I don’t :-)