Slow-Cooker Three-Bean Vegetable Chili

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant, protein-packed chili featuring three types of beans and fresh vegetables, simmered to tender perfection. This american-inspired slow cooker (vegetarian) ready in about 225 minutes pairs (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans, medium diced onion, green, diced diced bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 240 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 210 min Serves 6 American cuisine 240 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place diced onion, diced bell pepper, and diced zucchini in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 30 minutes until vegetables are softened.
  2. Step 2: Add drained and rinsed kidney beans, cannellini beans, black beans, diced tomatoes with juice, vegetable broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
  3. Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until vegetables are tender and flavors are blended.
  4. Step 4: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooker Three-Bean Vegetable Chili take to make?

Total time is about 225 minutes (15 min prep + 210 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Slow-Cooker Three-Bean Vegetable Chili?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium diced onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooker Three-Bean Vegetable Chili?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Slow-Cooker Three-Bean Vegetable Chili for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Slow-Cooker Three-Bean Vegetable Chili vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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