Spicy Texas Bean Chili
A hearty bowl of smoky chili featuring kidney beans, tomatoes, and a blend of Texan spices for depth of flavor. This tex-mex-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 140 minutes pairs dried kidney beans, dried black beans, diced tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 1 cup dried kidney beans
- 1/2 cup dried black beans
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 1 large onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried kidney beans and 1/2 cup dried black beans, then soak in water for 8 hours or overnight. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp cumin, and 1 tbsp smoked paprika. Stir for 1 minute until the spices are aromatic.
- Step 4: Add the soaked beans, 2 cups diced tomatoes, and 4 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 1.5-2 hours until beans are tender.
- Step 5: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with avocado slices and a sprinkle of cilantro.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Texas Bean Chili take to make?
Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 Spicy Texas Bean 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 dried kidney beans from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Texas Bean 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 Spicy Texas Bean 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 Spicy Texas Bean Chili vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 120-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
