Yes-You-Can Black Bean Chili (2024)

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No meat? No problem! This vegan Yes-You-Can Black Bean Chili recipe has all the tastes of hearty chili and can be ready to eat in 15-minutes or less. The convenience of a three-ingredient recipe without any greasy pans to clean.

Yes-You-Can Black Bean Chili (1)

Making chili doesn’t have to be complicated or require a lot of ingredients. This simple bean chili is the easiest one you’ll ever make, and even the kids can do it!

This salsa chili is a crowd-pleaser because it’s…

  • So simple to make in about 10-minutes
  • 3-ingredient recipe
  • Hearty
  • Packed full of flavor
  • Only 3 main ingredients
  • Veggie-loaded
  • Oil-free

How to make Yes-You-Can Chili

The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.

If using canned beans, remember to drain and rinse them. To do this, I pour the beans in a colander and rinse under warm water. Sometimes, I mix it up sometimes and add other bean varieties.

Yes-You-Can Black Bean Chili (2)

Next, defrost the frozen corn by placing in a colander and running warm water over it.

Yes-You-Can Black Bean Chili (3)

Combine beans, corn, and salsa in a pot and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes to heat thoroughly. If you like it with a little more liquid, add veggie broth. I never add broth unless serving with cornbread (link to cornbread recipe below). That’s because I like to crumble the cornbread and let it soak up the seasoned juices.

Yes-You-Can Black Bean Chili (4)

Top with cilantro and squeeze fresh lime juice over the top. Oftentimes, I like to slice an avocado as well. Serve warm and enjoy!

Yes-You-Can Chili in Food for Life Classes

We make this easy chili with salsa recipe in the Food for Life nutrition education and cooking classes I teach for Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and it always impresses participants. It’s served with lime wedges and fresh cilantro, and students can’t believe how delicious it tastes!

Yes-You-Can Black Bean Chili (5)

We love to eat this with my Country Cornbread. If you want to make your own salsa for this dish, here’s a great Easy Salsa recipe.

Nutrition in Black Beans

A 1/2-cup serving of cooked black beans, which is 86 grams, contains 113 calories. With 1.3 calories per gram, black beans are a low-energy-dense food, which means calorie content is low compared to weight.

This makes them a more filling food because you can eat a large portion without going overboard on calories. A 1/2-cup serving of cooked black beans contains 20 grams of carbohydrates and 7 grams of fiber. —LiveStrong

Yes-You-Can Black Bean Chili (7)

Other great chili recipes

  • White Bean Chili
  • Vegan Chili Bean Soup
  • Chili Mac with Elbows
  • Crockpot Chili

For those of you new to the whole food plant-based lifestyle, we’ve created a FREE 7-Day Plant-Based Menu Planner to help you get started!

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Yes-You-Can Black Bean Chili (9)

4.61 from 48 votes

Yes-You-Can Vegan Black Bean Chili

No meat? No problem! This vegan black bean chili recipe has all the taste of a hearty chili and can be ready to eat in 15-minutes or less. The convenience of a three-ingredient dish without any greasy pans to clean.

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 5 minutes mins

Total: 10 minutes mins

Print Pin Save

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 3 cups black beans cooked
  • 2 cups salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
  • 1 cup frozen corn defrosted
  • fresh cilantro optional
  • lime wedges optional

Instructions

  • If using canned beans, drain and rinse. I mix it up sometimes and add other bean varieties. In this picture, I used black beans and red kidney beans.

  • Next, defrost the frozen corn by placing in a colander and running warm water over it.

  • Combine beans, corn, and salsa in a pot and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes to heat thoroughly. If you like it with a little more liquid, add veggie broth. I never add broth unless serving with cornbread. That's because I like to crumble the cornbread and let it soak up the seasoned juices.

  • Top with cilantro and fresh lime juice. Serve warm and enjoy!

  • To make this in a crockpot, simply add all ingredients to a large cooker after draining and rinsing canned beans. No need to run corn under warm water, because they will defrost in a slow cooker. Allow to cook on low for 1 hour.

Video

Notes

Detailed instructions, in-process photos, and my personal helpful tips can be found in the article above.

We make this easy chili with salsa recipe in theFood for Life nutrition education and cooking classesI teach forPhysicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, and it always impresses participants. It’s served with lime wedges and fresh cilantro, and students can’t believehow delicious it tastes!

Nutrition

Calories: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 14.7g | Fat: 1.4g | Fiber: 14.4g

Disclaimer

To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

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About Terri Edwards

Hi guys! I am the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.I am passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to empower others to get healthy. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…

Yes-You-Can Black Bean Chili (2024)

FAQs

What is the closest bean to a black bean? ›

Kidney Beans

Kidney beans are meaty in texture and on the dense side- unlike pinto beans but quite similar to the texture of black beans which makes them the perfect substitute. They hold their shape and don't break down as easily.

Can you use black beans instead of kidney beans in chilli con carne? ›

Life's often too short to cook beans from scratch so we opt for canned every time. We've used kidney beans but not too many of them. You can easily add more, or if you prefer, swap them for black beans. If you would rather no beans at all just leave them out.

What to add to canned chili to make it taste better? ›

Freshen up the flavors of your canned chili by adding vegetables like garlic, corn, mushrooms, tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, spinach, or even diced sweet potatoes. You can use either fresh or canned vegetables, depending on your preference.

Can black beans replace kidney beans? ›

Black beans and green peas also work well in rice dishes, though they do not appear identical to kidney beans. Green peas will add a sweet flavor, while black beans have a more savory flavor; combining both may be the perfect substitute for kidney beans flavor-wise!

What kind of beans are canned black beans? ›

Black beans are classified as legumes. Also known as turtle beans because of their hard, shell-like appearance, black beans are, in fact, the edible seeds of the plant.

What to use instead of black bean? ›

1. Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans) Chickpeas (also known as Garbanzo Beans) are a great substitute for black beans. Their flavor is mild and slightly different from black beans, but they are filled with fiber and have a firm texture.

Do you drain black beans for chili? ›

Unless the recipe tells you to keep the canned beans in their liquid, you should drain your can and give the beans a good rinse before using. This will improve the flavor and texture of your finished dish. Open your cans of beans using a can opener. There may be sharp edges from opening the can.

What are the healthiest beans for chili? ›

Kidney beans are, in my opinion, the best for vegetarian chili. Raw beans, however, contain high amounts of phytohemagglutinin, meaning that if you purchase dried kidney beans, you must pre-soak and boil them before consumption. Canned beans, however, are pre-cooked and are perfectly fine to eat.

When to add canned beans to chili? ›

You know the saying, “save the best for last?” To keep your beans nice and plump, add them about 20 minutes before you finish cooking. This will give them plenty of time to impart that perfectly seasoned chili flavor to your recipe without overcooking.

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

How do you make chili a deeper flavor? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

Which are healthier kidney or black beans? ›

Some news stories have picked up on preliminary studies showingblack beans among the highest in certain antioxidants. However,other research shows kidney beans slightly higher in totalantioxidant power. Different types of analysis and cooking methodsare enough to blur nutritional differences among these healthyoptions.

Are black beans healthier than beef? ›

Ground Beef

Rather than clogging your innards with heaps of fat, the black bean provides a clean healthier alternative, but still with plenty of punch. With only a 5g difference in protein provided per 100g its clear that the beany benefits outweigh the cholesterol cons!

What are black beans good for? ›

Black beans are among the most frequently consumed dry pulses around the world. They're considered nutritional powerhouses that are rich in plant-based protein, fiber, and antioxidants that help manage blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels.

What is the same as black beans? ›

Fast Facts. Black beans are also known as turtle beans, caviar criollo, and frijoles negros. These beans date back at least 7,000 years when they were a staple food in the diets of Central and South Americans.

Is a black bean a pinto bean? ›

While both beans are delicious and nutritional, there are some key differences between the two. Pinto beans are larger, softer and creamier than black beans. Pinto beans are usually light brown with spots; in fact, “pinto” is Spanish for “painted,” as this bean has a painted appearance.

What is a good substitute for black eyed beans? ›

Lentils as a Substitute

Lentils are another great legume substitute for black eyed peas. Available in different colors, including green, brown, and red, lentils are prized for their protein and fiber content. They are also a rich source of essential minerals such as iron, folate, and potassium.

Is a turtle bean a black bean? ›

The black turtle bean is often simply called the black bean (frijoles negros, zaragoza, judía negra, poroto negro, caraota negra, or habichuela negra in Spanish; and feijão preto in Portuguese), although this terminology can cause confusion with at least three other types of black beans. Vitamin A equiv.

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