Mid-America Vegetarian Corn and Black Bean Chili

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-05 · Updated 2026-08-05

A hearty vegetarian chili featuring sweet corn and black beans with a smoky blend of spices inspired by Mid-America flavors. This American-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs olive oil, yellow onion, red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans
• 1 can (15 oz) or 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 1 medium diced red bell pepper, cooking for 5-6 minutes until softened.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, and 1 tbsp chili powder, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices, 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, 1 can (15 oz) corn kernels, and 2 cups vegetable broth. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
4. Step 4: Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lime juice and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.