Black Bean and Corn Chili (Printable)

Flavor-packed chili featuring black beans, corn, spices, and a tangy lime crema topping.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped

→ Beans & Corn

06 - 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
08 - 1.5 cups frozen or canned corn, drained
09 - 1 cup vegetable broth

→ Spices

10 - 2 tablespoons chili powder
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
15 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

→ Lime Crema

16 - 0.5 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
17 - Zest of 1 lime
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
19 - Pinch of salt

→ Garnishes

20 - Chopped fresh cilantro
21 - Sliced avocado
22 - Sliced green onions

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Stir in minced garlic, diced bell pepper, and jalapeño. Cook for an additional 3 minutes until vegetables are fragrant and tender.
03 - Add drained black beans, diced tomatoes with juices, corn, and vegetable broth to the pot.
04 - Sprinkle chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper over the mixture. Stir thoroughly to combine all seasonings.
05 - Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover partially, and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
06 - While chili simmers, combine sour cream or Greek yogurt with lime zest, lime juice, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
07 - Taste chili and adjust salt, pepper, or spices to preference.
08 - Ladle chili into bowls and top each serving with a dollop of lime crema. Add optional garnishes of cilantro, avocado, and green onions as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 50 minutes from start to finish
  • Packed with plant-based protein and fiber from black beans
  • Bold, smoky spices create incredible depth of flavor
  • The lime crema adds a bright, tangy contrast that elevates every bite
  • Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free
  • Perfect for meal prep and tastes even better the next day
02 -
  • Always drain and rinse canned black beans to remove excess sodium and improve texture
  • Don't skip the lime zest in the crema—it adds aromatic oils that bottled juice alone can't provide
  • Adjust the heat level by controlling how much jalapeño you add; start with less if you're unsure
  • Let the chili rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to thicken slightly
  • Use a large pot or Dutch oven with a heavy bottom to prevent scorching
  • Toast your ground spices in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding to intensify their flavor
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