This recipe is one that I have used for years with great reviews! I wanted to share it with some of my newer followers with updates about how you can alter the preparation!
I included this recipe in my virtual Cook to Thrive! Class on One Pot Meals. I love this theme because it emphasizes easy-to-make, quick, delicious meals to feed everyone with very little cleanup. One Pot Meals are perfect for those with families or meal-prepping something tasty for the whole week.
We have catered this recipe to fit whatever pot and cooking technique you prefer; whether you use dried or canned, pressure cooker, slow cooker, or stovetop

Julie’s Black Bean Chili
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 6 garlic cloves, minced or crushed
- 2 chopped onions, medium size
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 to 3 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cans (14 oz. each) diced tomatoes in juice
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 2 cups of frozen sweet corn
- 2 cans (16 ounces each) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cans (16 ounces each) other beans of your choice, drained and rinsed
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a skillet and saute the onions, garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook 1 minute, then add chili powder and cumin and cook 2 minutes, stirring.
- Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot and cook until hot (30-45 minutes).
Alternate Cooking Options!
Steps for Using a Slow Cooker (Crockpot)
This is my favorite way to make the chili!
- Saute onions and spices as directed, then add to slow cooker with all remaining ingredients except canned beans.
- Stir in canned beans an hour before serving.
Steps for Using a Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot)
- Heat the oil in a skillet and sauté OR set the Instant Pot to sauté for the onions, garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook 1 minute, then add chili powder and cumin and cook 2 minutes, stirring.
- Add this mixture to the Instant Pot along with all remaining ingredients and set to Beans or Stew for 10 minutes.
Steps for Using Dried Beans
- In order to make it with dried beans, be sure to soak the beans in
plenty of water for at least 8 hours before using in the recipe. - To measure out the 4 cans worth of beans, you can use the empty tomato cans as scoops.
- Add the soaked beans into the pot and cook for 1.5-2 hours (depending on type of beans). Test the beans to make sure they are cooked through before eating.
- Extra spices are required to adjust flavor for dried beans.
Check out the other recipe from my One Pot Meals cooking class (Lemony Chicken Quinoa) here!