Spicy Tomato Black Bean Chili

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

A hearty, smoky chili with tomatoes, black beans, and a kick of heat, simmered to perfection. This mexican-inspired soups (vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, diced onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 40 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium onion (diced) and 2 cloves garlic (minced), sautéing for 3 minutes until fragrant. Add 1 red bell pepper (diced) and 1 jalapeño (seeded and minced), cooking for 5 minutes until softened.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 2 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes (with juice), 1 (15 oz) can black beans (rinsed and drained), 1 cup vegetable broth, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Step 3: Season with salt to taste. Simmer 5 more minutes. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Tomato Black Bean Chili take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Tomato Black 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Tomato Black 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 Tomato Black 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 Tomato Black Bean 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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