Description
This Slow Cooker Butternut Squash and Farro Chili is a hearty and comforting vegetarian chili packed with nutritious vegetables, beans, and whole grain farro. Slow-cooked to perfection, it offers rich, warming flavors with a hint of cinnamon and chili spice, making it an ideal meal for chilly days.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs butternut squash, peeled and diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
- 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained
- 1 1/2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 cup farro, rinsed
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Peel and dice the butternut squash, chop the onion and bell pepper, and mince the garlic cloves to have all ingredients ready.
- Add to Slow Cooker: Place the butternut squash, onion, bell pepper, garlic, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, black beans, cannellini beans, vegetable broth, and rinsed farro into a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Season the Chili: Add chili powder, cinnamon, cumin, salt, and black pepper to the slow cooker. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook the Chili: Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours until the squash is tender and the farro is cooked through.
- Serve and Enjoy: Spoon the chili into bowls and add your choice of toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh herbs, then enjoy your warm, nutritious chili.
Notes
- Farro adds a chewy texture and nutty flavor; if unavailable, barley or brown rice can be used as substitutes.
- For a spicier chili, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños.
- To keep the chili vegan, avoid dairy-based toppings and opt for avocado or nutritional yeast.
- You can prepare this chili the night before and refrigerate; it tastes even better the next day.
- If you prefer quicker cooking, soak farro for an hour before adding to the slow cooker to reduce cooking time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
