Gluten Free Veggie Chili (Slow Cooker)

This healthy Gluten Free Veggie Chili recipe is made in the slow cooker with beans, corn, and spices. Serve with your favorite toppings!

My recipe for Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili was first published on Sunday Supper Movement where I am a contributor.

I also love that the humble slow cooker provides healthy and hearty meals that the whole family can enjoy; Meals like this Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili.

The slow cooker has always been and always will be one of my favorite cooking appliances. 

I love that during this day and age when there is an emphasis on speed and efficiency there exists in our kitchens a cooking vessel whose strength lies in its slowness. There’s something comforting and reassuring about that.

The simple slow cooker can help you create meals that boast complex flavors with minimal effort.

I mean, this Gluten Free Veggie Chili is EASY! Top it with some shredded cheese, avocado, and cilantro and you’ve got the perfect vegetarian dinner.

Jump to:

• Ingredients For Slow Cooker Veggie Chili
• Do I Have To Drain And Rinse Canned Beans?
• How To Make Vegetarian Chili From Scratch
• How Long Does It Take To Make Meatless Chili In The Slow Cooker?
• How To Thicken Vegetarian Chili
• What To Serve With Slow Cooker Veggie Chili
• Gluten Free Veggie Chili (Slow Cooker)

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Veggie Chili

The only real ‘effort’ involved in creating this Slow Cooker Veggie Chili is to chop the aromatics and the vegetables. I like to use garlic and onions and a bell pepper for some great vegetal flavor.

Here's What You'll Need To Make It:

• 4 cloves Garlic
• 1 Onion (any color)
• 1 Bell Pepper (any color)
• 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• 2 15.5 oz. cans Kidney Beans (light or dark)
• 1 15.5 oz. can Pinto Beans
• 1 28 oz. can Diced Tomatoes
• 1 8 oz. can Tomato Sauce
• 2 Tbsp. Chili Powder
• 1 Tbsp. Smoked Paprika
• 2 tsp. Cumin
• 1 tsp. Italian Seasoning
• 3 cups Gluten Free Vegetable Broth
• 2 cups Frozen Corn
• ½ cup Water
• 2 Tbsp. Corn Starch
• Kosher Salt and Pepper (to taste)
• Toppings: Avocado, Cilantro, Lime, Tortilla Chips, Cheese (optional)

1. Simply mince 4 cloves of garlic and 1 small onion – You can use a white, yellow, or red onion.
2. Dice 1 bell pepper into pieces – Feel free to use a red, yellow, orange, or green pepper.

1. I like to plug the slow cooker in and get it warmed up while I chop the ingredients. Once the garlic, onions, and pepper is chopped add it to the slow cooker along with 1 Tbsp. of olive oil.
2. Stir these ingredients together until they are coated in the olive oil.

Do I Have To Drain And Rinse Canned Beans?

I like to rinse canned beans because it gets rid of any excess salt. You can always add more salt but you can’t take it away!

Additionally, draining the liquid and rinsing the beans removes excess starch that can affect the taste and texture, as well as it can remove any metallic taste that might be left behind.

• Drain and rinse 2 15.5 oz. cans of light or dark kidney beans as well as 1 15.5 oz. can of pinto beans.

How To Make Vegetarian Chili From Scratch

The next step is to add the rest of the ingredients. Add the following ingredients to the slow cooker:

1. 1 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes, 1 8 oz. can of tomato sauce, 2 Tbsp. chili powder, 1 Tbsp. smoked paprika, 2 tsp. cumin, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, and ½ tsp. each kosher salt and pepper.
2. Add the drained and rinsed kidney and pinto beans and 2 cups of frozen corn.
3. Add 3 cups of vegetable broth.
4. Stir everything together until everything is completely combined.

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• Baked Eggplant Parmesan
• Lemon Pea Risotto
• Tuscan Vegetable Soup

How Long Does It Take To Make Meatless Chili In The Slow Cooker?

Once all the ingredients are added, cook the Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili for 5-6 hours on ‘High’ or 7-8 hours on ‘Low'.

The onions and peppers should have softened at this point and all the flavors should be nicely developed.

How To Thicken Vegetarian Chili

I personally like for chili to be thick and hearty so I find it helpful to thicken it a bit using a cornstarch slurry. A slurry is just a mixture of cornstarch and water.

1. Once the chili is fully cooked simply mix 2 Tbsp. of corn starch with ½ cup of water and drizzle it into the slow cooker.
2. Stir until the chili has thickened to the consistency you like.

Love slow cooker recipes? Don't miss these!

• Slow Cooker Chicken Potato Soup
• Crockpot Tortilla Soup
• Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
• Crockpot Butternut Squash Sausage Soup
• Slow Cooker Barbacoa Tacos
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What To Serve With Slow Cooker Veggie Chili

Once the chili has reached your desired consistency it’s ready to serve! This recipe has great smoky flavor from the smoked paprika and chili powder – There is a great Southwestern flair to this Gluten Free Veggie Chili.

I recommend topping it with some diced avocado or Poblano Avocado Dip, chopped cilantro, shredded cheese, and a squeeze of lime. It’s perfect for scooping up with some tortilla chips!

Corn tortillas or homemade corn bread are great serving options.

This Slow Cooker Veggie Chili will warm you right up during these cold winter months (which is awesome because Minnesota is SERIOUSLY cold right now)!

It’s great for a weeknight dinner, makes for perfect Game Day fare, and serves as a flavorful topping for veggie burgers, meaty burgers like this Juicy Lucy Burger or Roasted Poblano Burger, and hot dogs.

This recipe is a great option for serving guests who may be vegetarian but I guarantee it will be loved by everyone!

Love chili? Check out these recipes!

• Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
• Slow Cooker Ground Beef Chili

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