Sometimes inspiration comes from the most unexpected places.

I posted this picture on Instagram a few weeks ago (for my Red Lentil Curry), and someone asked if it was red lentil chili. “No, but GOOD IDEA,” I replied.

The rest is history. I couldn’t shake the thought from my mind.

Origins of Chili

While many think chili is a dish that was created in Mexico, apparently that’s not where it originated! Who knew?

However, one ingredient central to chili – chilies – are native to Mesoamerica (a region that includes parts of Mexico and Central America). And they are an important ingredient in Mexican cuisine. So we get the confusion!

The exact origin of the dish chili isn’t clear, but most historians trace its roots to San Antonio, Texas. You can take a deeper dive into the history of chili here.

About This Red Lentil Chili

This chili comes just in time for these last few wintry days before spring arrives (at least here in the Pacific Northwest).

It’s simple, requiring just 1 pot, basic ingredients, and comes together in less than 1 hour.

I’ve been inspired by some Indian cooking methods I’ve been researching lately involving a mortar and pestle. Instead of just mincing or chopping your vegetables, spices, and herbs, you grind them together so their flavor is more intense and more evenly distributed throughout the dish.

Of course, if you don’t have a mortar and pestle, you can use a small food processor or just finely mince. I just love this method, and now that I’ve discovered it, I can’t stop!

In addition to red lentils – which are full of fiber, protein, folate, and magnesium (just to name a few) – I also included black beans (another great source of folate and fiber) and kidney beans (which are especially high in iron and vitamin B1).

This isn’t one of those soup-like chilis that’s mostly tomatoes. This is chock full of lentils, beans, and corn, and is thick and stew-like in texture – my favorite.

I hope you love this chili! It’s:

Hearty

Smoky

Flavorful

Not too spicy

Healthy

Comforting

Satisfying

& Simple

Make this dish for a crowd, as it’s especially great for hosting. Or make a batch over the weekend and enjoy it for lunch throughout the week.

If you try this recipe, let us know! It helps us and other readers so much. Leave a comment it, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a picture #minimalistbaker on Instagram so we can see your creations. Cheers, friends!