Heart-Healthy Hearty Black Bean Chili

Warm up with a bowl of Heart-Healthy Hearty Black Bean Chili, a satisfying and nutrient-packed vegetarian dish that's as wholesome as it is flavorful. Bursting with the vibrant colors of diced red bell peppers, tender carrots, and celery, this chili is elevated by aromatic spices like cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Protein-rich black beans and juicy, canned diced tomatoes create a hearty base, while a splash of fresh lime juice and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro lend brightness to every bite. Ready in under an hour, this one-pot recipe is perfect for meal prepping or feeding a crowd, and with optional avocado as garnish, it’s endlessly customizable. Low in sodium yet packed with flavor, this comforting chili is designed with heart health in mind—proving that nutritious eating doesn’t have to sacrifice taste. Enjoy it on its own or pair it with crusty whole-grain bread for a complete meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 87/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 large red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
• 2 stalks celery stalk, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 15-ounce cans canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 15-ounce cans diced tomatoes, with juices
• 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 0.5 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 lime, juiced
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 large avocado, diced (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, carrot, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and the onion is translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and dried oregano. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, until the spices are fragrant.

Step 4

Add the black beans, diced tomatoes with their juices, and vegetable broth. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 5

Add the bay leaf, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the chili simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

After 30 minutes, remove the bay leaf and taste the chili. Adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

Step 7

Stir in the chopped cilantro and lime juice. Cook for another 2 minutes, then remove from heat.

Step 8

Serve the chili hot, garnishing with diced avocado if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3026.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1934.3

Total Fat 54.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4373.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 292.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 111.8g	0%
Total Sugars 33.5g
Protein 91.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 911.4mg	0%
Iron 33.7mg	0%
Potassium 6894.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 24.1%

Protein: 18.1%

Carbs: 57.9%