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    Home » Recipes » Vegetarian » The Quickest 3 Bean Chili You'll Ever Make

    The Quickest 3 Bean Chili You'll Ever Make

    Updated: Jul 21, 2023 by Veronica Noone · This post may contain affiliate links · 22 Comments

    bean chili pin

    Today called for chili. It really did. But I had zippy time, nothing defrosted and no desire to CHOP anything. So I hit the pantry.

    Keeping cans of beans in stock is a must for me. I also have bags of dry beans but to be honest, I rarely plan anything that far in advanced to soak the beans overnight. Instead I buy cans when they go on sale or stock up from my local Aldi's. Stored this way they are still a super cheap protein source and most of the extra sodium from the canning can be reduced by draining and rinsing.

    One of my goals with this site is to show people they can make good-for-your food fast. Yes adding fresh vegetables to this would be "better" but sometimes when you come home from work you just don't want to deal. Sometimes a week or two goes by before you have a chance to hit the grocery store. That's when meals like this come in handy. Plus they freeze well, fill you up and, I'm not afraid to said it... taste good!

    Unfortunately, my family doesn't agree. Although I can eat fast comfort food like this day in and day out the husband is just NOT a fan of the one pot meal. Hopefully I'll convert the 5 year old one day but until then I'll continue to make fast pantry chilies for myself and enjoy the leftovers for days to come. It's filling, healthy and delicious!

    Ingredients

    • 1 15oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles
    • 1 6oz can of tomato paste + 1 6oz can can of water
    • 1 15 oz can of black beans drained and rinsed
    • 1 15 oz can of kidney beans drained and rinsed
    • 1 15 oz can of garbanzo beans drained and rinsed
    • 1 15 oz can of whole kernel corn with liquids
    • 2 tablespoon chili powder
    • 1 tablespoon dried cumin
    • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon onion powder
    • Kosher Salt and Pepper to taste

    Instructions

    In a large pot (make sure it's big enough to hold all the ingredients) add tomatoes, paste and water. Heat over medium-high and stir until all combined. Add the beans, corn (with liquid) and spices. Stir and bring to a boil then simmer for about 20 minutes.

    You can't get easier than that!

    Now you can eat it straight up, put it over brown rice, bulgur, spaghetti squash, or even baby spinach. Put some in a whole wheat wrap with cheese and spinach. Top with fresh cilantro. I mean really, the possibilities are endless!

    I ate it over spinach leaves with some fancy shredded mexican cheese and dried cilantro on top... it was EXACTLY what I wanted on this cold day and took a whopping 20 minutes to make.

    Update: I got both husband and child to take a bite tonight for dinner (served it as a side) and neither enjoyed it BUT the husband said "I can see others really liking this but it's not my thing" and the 5 year old said he would have liked it IF it wasn't so spicy. Hey.. not bad. At least they tried, it's all I can ask. 🙂

    📖 Recipe

    bean chili featured

    The Quickest 3 Bean Chili You'll Ever Make

    Try this hearty and flavorful bean chili recipe for a satisfying meal on a chilly evening. Perfect for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 7 cups
    Calories 524 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles
    • 1 6 oz can of tomato paste + 1 6oz can can of water
    • 1 15 oz can of black beans drained and rinsed
    • 1 15 oz can of kidney beans drained and rinsed
    • 1 15 oz can of garbanzo beans drained and rinsed
    • 1 15 oz can of whole kernel corn with liquids
    • 2 tablespoon chili powder
    • 1 tablespoon dried cumin
    • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon onion powder
    • Kosher Salt and Pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • In a large pot (make sure it's big enough to hold all the ingredients) add tomatoes, paste and water.
      1 6 oz can of tomato paste + 1 6oz can can of water
    • Heat over medium-high and stir until all combined. Add the beans, corn (with liquid) and spices. Stir and bring to a boil then simmer for about 20 minutes.
      1 15 oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles, 1 15 oz can of black beans drained and rinsed, 1 15 oz can of kidney beans drained and rinsed, 1 15 oz can of garbanzo beans drained and rinsed, 1 15 oz can of whole kernel corn with liquids, 2 tablespoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon dried cumin, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, Kosher Salt and Pepper to taste
    • Now you can eat it straight up, put it over brown rice, bulgur, spaghetti squash, or even baby spinach. Put some in a whole wheat wrap with cheese and spinach. Top with fresh cilantro. I mean really, the possibilities are endless!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 524kcalCarbohydrates: 89gProtein: 29gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 629mgPotassium: 1485mgFiber: 22gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 1151IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 97mgIron: 8mg
    Keyword bean, Chili
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Freddy

      May 05, 2013 at 11:03 am

      Made this Chili tweeked just a few things but let me say.. meatless and amazing. Almost had a bowl for breakfast the next morning. thanks for testsite.prdhost.com I love this site and am on WW so I shared this at the meeting.

      Reply
    2. Brandy

      December 13, 2012 at 10:44 pm

      This sounds good and exactly what I'm looking for- agreed, it's nice to add fresh veggies when you have time, but time is something I do not often have. I can't wait to try this recipe! Thank you!!!!

      Reply
    3. Jamal

      March 28, 2012 at 12:59 am

      I actually made this myself! I'm a guy that can't cook LOL. I follow Roni on twitter and saw a tweet about it and she sent me here 🙂

      Thanks for the awesome site because Im tired of eating the same 3 things LOL. It was really good and it freezes well too!

      Reply
    4. cyndi

      July 08, 2011 at 12:56 pm

      This is soooo good! And easy! Thank you for the recipe. I eat this with light sour cream, 2% cheddar cheese and bakes scoops. Freezes great too!

      Reply
    5. Amy

      April 09, 2011 at 10:09 pm

      This is soooo good! Thank you for this recipe. It's my most favorite chili ever! Even my husband and kids like it!! Thank you. I'm not a great cook, so this is fun and easy for me! I added ground beef for the hubby and we love love love it! Thank you!

      Reply
    6. Kathleen

      February 19, 2011 at 1:41 pm

      Hi Roni-

      Just discovered your sites and their are awesome. I made this chili yesterday and OMG! So so good. My 15 year old came home from school and ate it for snack. He said it was "really good but would be better with meat" LOL gotta love those teen agers!! I thought it was perfect. I didn't really miss the meat at all. I bagged up individual portions in ziploc bags for quick lunches for the week. Thank you so much for your great recipes can't wait to try more!

      Reply
    7. Christine

      February 16, 2011 at 12:51 pm

      I am eating this now over spaghetti squash - DELICIOUS! And soooo easy to make! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

      Reply
    8. Barbara

      February 06, 2011 at 12:36 pm

      Super Bowl Sunday is "Pig Out Day" in our house. This is the one and only day that everyone can eat whatever they desire for breakfast, lunch and dinner. As an example, my 17 year old son had ice cream and coke for breakfast! Well, I'm dieting and did not really want to "cheat" too badly today. So I made this chili....WOW...it is sooooo good!

      While the rest of the family will be having taco bites, sliders, chip/dip, wings, etc. I will feel very good about having this chili with my baked scoops.....and a very small amount of sour cream!! Gotta cheat just a little....

      I added sauted onion and green pepper and it is delicious! I have made a TON of your meals and really enjoy them all. Thanks for all the hard work!!

      Reply
    9. Yalisa

      February 05, 2011 at 11:58 pm

      I made chili using a recipe very similar to this and boy it was amazing. The one I used though called for ground turkey also. I froze it in tupperwares and just grabbed and went as I needed. Tons of protein, filling, and absolutely fantastic!

      Reply
    10. Brandi

      February 02, 2011 at 10:16 pm

      Thanks for the inspiration...guitar guy and I are having chili right now 🙂

      I used basically the same recipe, but added a few of our essentials!

      You kick A$$ Roni 🙂

      Reply
    11. Paula

      February 01, 2011 at 8:14 pm

      I made this tonight and it was wonderful. It makes a ton so I will not have to worry about what to bring for lunch for the rest of the week. I love these recipes you come up with. This is vegetarian & vegan.

      Reply
    12. Tina

      February 01, 2011 at 7:36 pm

      Oh wow, this looks delish and perfect for this winter we're having. I'm going to make this next, I love the idea of putting it over spinach, and guaranteed my hubby will love it. Thanks Roni!

      Reply
    13. Mo

      February 01, 2011 at 7:26 pm

      I've got a case of ALDI black beans in my pantry, too. I also bought a case of ALDI brand of ROTEL (tomatoes, chilies and spices.) So quick to throw together a meal. Lately these are two of my go-to-quickie soup ingredients.

      I've also been concerned about too much sodium, so right now have 2 lbs of black beans in my fridge which I prepared from dried. The overnight soaking didn't work for me the first time I tried it, so now I bring them to a boil on the stove and then let them simmer for at least an hour until I can easily break one in two.

      Sometimes ALDI has Mexican spiced black beans. I'll be stocking up on those the next time they're on special.

      Thanks for the recipe. I wish I had some garbanzo beans in the house. With the weather here in Connecticut, that would be perfect for tomorrow. I may have to make mine "The Quickest 2 Bean Chili You’ll Ever Make".

      Mo

      Reply
    14. kelly

      February 01, 2011 at 11:39 am

      Soooo good. Just made it but added broken up cooked spaghettti to mine and hot sauce lol

      Reply
    15. roni

      February 01, 2011 at 11:14 am

      Well this one I made for myself during lunch, so the husband had a can of soup. I'm not sure I'd take the leap to just serve this at dinner just yet. Maybe when the kids are older and I'd just have the husband fend for himself. I also won't make something they didn't like every day. I would butter them up with to of their fav meals on Monday and Tues and then say Wed is MY night and make them try it. It's all about compromise. 🙂

      Reply
    16. Kris

      February 01, 2011 at 10:45 am

      So on nights like this, what do your boys eat? I'm infinitely tired of making two different meals every day. I don't want them constantly eating fast food (or spending that kind of money...) but I'm at a loss.

      Reply
    17. Kelly

      February 01, 2011 at 10:18 am

      This looks awesome and I may just get the husband to eat it but the question really is this...do I want to suffer through the smell of his bowl of beans ;O) (JK) I need to do another Aldi trip and stock up on the pantry items. Thanks for the recipe! :O)

      Reply
    18. Laura

      February 01, 2011 at 12:30 pm

      I absolutely love chili, and I've never tried with garbanzos. I'll have to start keeping this stuff on hand in my pantry too. I LOVE that you put it over baby spinach. I never would have thought of that, but that makes it beautiful, and I'm sure even more delicious.

      Reply
    19. Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life

      February 01, 2011 at 8:40 am

      This looks right up my alley! I love one pot meals, especially ones that are so versatile!

      Reply
    20. [email protected]

      February 01, 2011 at 12:10 am

      This chili looks and sounds delish. Very healthy too!

      Reply
    21. Sheriese

      January 31, 2011 at 9:47 pm

      Hi Roni, This looks delish! I am a big fan of meals centered around beans- I wish my family felt the same... In any case, I will definitely give this quick chili recipe a try. And if the kids don't eat it, I will happily eat their share!

      Reply
    22. ashley@quasichick

      January 31, 2011 at 10:58 pm

      This looks super easy and yummy!!

      Reply

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