The Best Ever Three-Bean Chili
A hearty, smoky chili packed with three types of beans and fresh vegetables, simmered to perfection for a comforting weeknight meal. This american-inspired vegetarian ready in about 60 minutes pairs extra-virgin olive oil, finely diced yellow onion, finely diced carrot 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
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1, finely diced yellow onion
- 1, finely diced carrot
- 2 stalks, finely diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp low-sodium tomato paste
- 4 oz can, drained diced green chiles
- 15 oz can, drained and rinsed kidney beans
- 15 oz can, drained and rinsed black beans
- 15 oz can, drained and rinsed cannellini beans
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add onion, carrot, and celery, cooking for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in minced garlic, tomato paste, and green chiles, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add diced tomatoes (with juice), all three beans, chicken broth, cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper, then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 4: Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and beans are tender.
- Step 5: Uncover and simmer for an additional 10 minutes to thicken slightly, then adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best Ever Three-Bean Chili take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 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 The Best Ever Three-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 extra-virgin olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best Ever Three-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 The Best Ever Three-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.
What goes well with The Best Ever Three-Bean Chili?
American vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
