This Lentil Chili & Thyme Roasted Corn recipe is high in plant-based protein, uses low-cost and pantry-friendly ingredients, and is a hearty dinner the whole family will enjoy.
Green lentils have a high protein content and a 'meaty' texture making them a perfect choice of legume for chilis. Additionally, they cook quickly and do not require soaking. I keep an abundance of lentils in my pantry for when I'm in a time crunch to get dinner on the table. They're very versatile, and I often add any veggies that are about to go bad to the pot when they are cooking, and the dish always turns out appetizing.
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🥣 Why This Recipe Is Fabulous
- It's a very nutritious meal that's rich in protein, iron, and fiber.
- A multitude of fresh herbs and spices add depth of flavor, making this dish even more tasty.
- The ingredients are pantry-friendly and low-cost.
- It's quick and easy to make without compromising on taste.
📖 How to Make This Recipe
Cook the Lentils in Flavorful Broth
Start by cooking the onion for about 5 minutes, or until translucent. Add the garlic and spices and cook for about another 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
Add the lentils, tomatoes, vegetable broth, water, and fresh thyme sprigs.
Bring the liquid to a simmer and cook with the lid on for about 20 minutes, or until the lentils are al dente. Be careful not to overcook the lentils or they will end up mushy.
Blend the Cooked Lentils for a Smoother Chili
Once the lentils are done cooking, remove the thyme sprigs, and blend 4 cups of the chili until smooth. Return the blended portion to the saucepan and stir to combine.
Season the chili with salt and black pepper. Add maple syrup, and fresh lime juice to taste. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
👩🏼🌾 Ingredients & Nutrition
Green or Brown Lentils
Lentils have a rich, earthy texture, and add thickness and bulk to a recipe. Their high fiber content keeps bowel movements regular, blood sugars in check, and feeds our good gut bacteria. They are also high in protein which makes them an ideal meat substitute. In addition, they are a good source of iron which can be low in vegan diets. Lentils also contain plant chemicals called polyphenols that have antioxidant properties.
Thyme
Thyme is a fragrant herb with small, pungent leaves. It pairs well with lentils, beans and tomatoes. It's perfect for adding flavor to stews. It's not typically added to chilis, but I happened to have some that I wanted to use up and it worked well in this recipe. I used the entire sprig in this recipe for convenience, but the leaves can be removed and used if preferred. If using whole sprigs, remember to remove them once the lentils are done cooking.
Dried thyme is about three times as concentrated as fresh thyme. If using dried thyme in this recipe, substitute the thyme sprigs for about one and one-half teaspoons dried thyme.
Lycopene, a carotenoid responsible for the red color in tomatoes and other fruits, has long been known as a powerful antioxidant that decreases cancer and heart-disease risk. Tomatoes release more lycopene when cooked because heat breaks down plant cells, making it more bioavailable. Raw tomatoes have many health benefits too, but cooking them makes them sweeter, intensifies their flavor, and brings out their umami quality.
Yes. Heat the creamed butter-garlic-thyme mixture in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the frozen corn until golden brown.
Try these high-protein lentil dinner recipes.
👩🏽🍳 Made This Recipe?
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📖 Recipe
Lentil Chili & Thyme Roasted Corn
Ingredients
For the chili:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable broth
- 1 large yellow onion medium dice
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon cayenne
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 16 ounces French lentils or green, or brown
- 29 ounces diced tomatoes canned (2 14.5-ounce cans), with juice
- 32 ounces vegetable broth (1 carton), plus more for cooking
- 5 sprigs fresh thyme optional
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or to taste
- 1 lime juice, or to taste
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
For the corn:
- 2 large garlic cloves minced
- 6 tablespoons vegan butter
- 3 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 6 cobs corn shucked (husk and silk removed)
- Dash of salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
For the chili:
- Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, or until translucent. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne, and onion powder and cook for about 30 seconds more, or until fragrant.
- Cook Lentils: Add the lentils, tomatoes, vegetable broth, 2 cups water, and thyme. Bring the liquid to a simmer and cook with the lid on for about 20 minutes, or until the lentils are al dente. Stir occasionally, adding more broth or water as needed.
- Blend: Once the lentils are cooked, remove the thyme stems. Transfer 4 cups of the lentil chili to a blender and blend until smooth. Add the puréed lentils back to the saucepan and stir to combine.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add maple syrup, and fresh lime juice to taste. Garnish with cilantro.
For the corn:
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Prepare Corn: In a small bowl, cream together the vegan butter, garlic, and thyme. Spread the butter mixture evenly over the corn.
- Roast: Wrap each corn separately in aluminum foil and transfer to a large baking sheet, placing them in an even layer. Roast for 40 minutes, turning them over halfway.
- Broil: Remove the corn from the oven and open the foil to expose the cobs. Change the oven setting to broil. Place them back into the oven and broil for about 4 minutes, or until slightly charred. Be careful not to let them burn.
- Season with salt and black pepper.
Notes
Nutrition
This information is provided as a courtesy and is an ESTIMATE only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe.
Sara
I had to make this the second I saw it on Instagram. I love that you explain how each ingredient contributes to my health & well being. The thyme addition was perfect.. thank you so much!!
cookingforpeanuts
Thank you, Sara. I'm so thrilled you made it so quickly.
Anitha
Looks so yummy!
cookingforpeanuts
Thank you!