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I’m excited to share this hearty, healthy, and delicious vegetarian chili that also happens to be Zero (0) WW Points! It’s the kind of recipe I love to make on a lazy day—you just toss everything into the slow cooker, give it a stir, and let dinner cook itself.
Lentils are the star here. They are loaded with protein and fiber, so this chili is incredibly filling and satisfying, even without meat. Sometimes I will stir in a can of beans for variety, but honestly, it’s so good on its own you won’t even miss them.
This recipe makes a big batch, which means you can enjoy a bowl tonight and freeze the rest for easy, healthy meals later.

Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- Variations
- Calories and WW Points
- How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Lentil Chili, Step-by-Step
- Serving Suggestions
- Additions and Variations
- Serving Suggestions
- WW Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lentil Chili Recipe
- More WW-Friendly Chili Recipes to Try
- Discover More WW-Friendly Recipes
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Zero WW Points makes it a guilt-free comfort food.
- Protein-packed lentils keep you full and satisfied.
- Hands-off cooking — the slow cooker does all the work.
- Versatile and customizable with beans, veggies, or spices.
- Freezer-friendly — perfect for meal prep and busy weeks.

Ingredients
Here’s what you will need to make this easy vegetarian lentil chili:
- Onion – Adds savory depth and sweetness as it cooks down.
- Bell pepper – I used red, but any color will work to add freshness and crunch.
- Carrots – Natural sweetness and hearty, they balance the spices.
- Garlic – Fresh cloves or jarred minced garlic both work well.
- Chili powder – Gives the chili its warm, smoky backbone of flavor.
- Ground cumin – Adds earthy, nutty spice that pairs beautifully with lentils.
- Dried oregano – A touch of herbal flavor that rounds out the seasoning.
- Water – Forms the base of the chili and allows the lentils to cook through.
- Brown lentils – The heart of the dish; protein- and fiber-rich.
- Fire-roasted diced tomatoes – Add tang, richness, and a hint of smokiness.
- Salt – Brings all the flavors together.
- Optional garnishes – Fresh cilantro and lime wedges brighten each bowl.
Variations
- Add beans – Stir in black beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans for variety.
- Spice it up – Add a chopped jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne.
- Try different spices – Smoked paprika adds a nice depth of flavor.
- Vegetable boost – Corn, zucchini, or spinach would work well here.
Calories and WW Points
According to my calculations each generous 1-1/4 cup serving has:
- Calories: 101 calories
- Points: 0
To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) - Old WW Points: 3 PointsPlus
How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Lentil Chili, Step-by-Step
Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
Chop the onion, bell pepper, carrots, and garlic. Pick through, rinse, and drain the lentils.
Step 2: Add everything to the slow cooker
Combine the onion, bell pepper, carrots, garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, water, lentils, tomatoes, and salt in the slow cooker.
Step 3: Cook low and slow
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or until the lentils and vegetables are tender.
Step 4: Garnish and serve
Ladle the chili into bowls and serve hot, topped with cilantro and lime wedges if desired.
Serving Suggestions
- Top with your favorite chili toppings: cheese, chopped cilantro, diced avocado, chopped onion, light sour cream or plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- Over rice, cauliflower rice, baked potato, zucchini, cornbread, or noodles
- Rolled or stuffed into a tortilla
Additions and Variations
Possible Additions: canned beans, rinsed and drained. Black bean, pinto bean, kidney bean would all work well.
Spicier? Add a chopped jalapeno chili or two and/or bit of cayenne pepper.
Different spices? smoked paprika would be nice.
Serving Suggestions
This lentil chili is hearty enough to stand on its own, but here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it:
- Topped with cheese, avocado, onions, or Greek yogurt.
- Served over rice, cauliflower rice, or a baked potato.
- With a side of cornbread or warm tortillas.
- Rolled into a wrap for an easy next-day lunch.
If you like this WW Zero Point Vegetarian Lentil Chili you might also like: Spicy Red Lentil Soup, Savory Slow Cooker Brown Rice & Lentils, 3-Ingredient Crock Pot BBQ Lentils, WW Slow Cooker Vegetarian 2-Bean Burritos and Vegetarian Chili
If you’ve made this Vegetarian Crock Pot Lentil Chili, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

WW Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lentil Chili
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 medium green bell pepper (I used red instead)
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (I used 1 teaspoon jarred instead)
- 2 tablespoons chili powder (or to taste)
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 6 cups water
- 2 cups brown lentils, picked over, rinsed and drained
- 14 ounces canned diced fire-roasted tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Chopped fresh cilantro and lime wedges for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Ideal Slow Cooker Size: 4- to 6-Quart.
- Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on LOW until the lentils and vegetables are tender, 6 to 8 hours.
- Serve garnished with lime and chopped fresh cilantro if desired.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 3 PointsPlus (Old plan) Variations
- Add beans – Stir in black beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans for variety.
- Spice it up – Add a chopped jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne.
- Try different spices – Smoked paprika adds a nice depth of flavor.
- Vegetable boost – Corn, zucchini, or spinach would work well here.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Source: WW Veg Power Cookbook (affiliate link)
More WW-Friendly Chili Recipes to Try
If you liked this WW Vegetarian Lentil Chili, you might also enjoy some of my other lightened-up chili recipes:
- For a seasonal favorite, try my Slow Cooker Pumpkin Black Bean Chili, perfect for fall nights.
- My Slow Cooker 3-Bean Turkey Sausage Chili is hearty, flavorful, and freezer-friendly for easy make-ahead meals.
- This Slow Cooker White Bean Chicken Chili Verde is a lighter twist with bright flavors and plenty of protein.
- My Skinny Pepperoni Pizza Chili is fun and family-friendly, combining classic pizza flavors in a comforting bowl.
Discover More WW-Friendly Recipes
Make dinnertime easier with my Slow Cook Yourself Slim Ultimate eBook Bundle. It’s packed with easy, healthy, WW-friendly recipes designed for busy cooks who love comfort food without the guilt.






I made this in the Instant Pot – 10 minutes, natural release. It was so good! The only changes I made was to add a huge scoop of Better Than Bouillon Beef Base and a couple of tablespoons of tomato paste that I had in the fridge. The Beef Base really amped up the flavor. Your recipes are always so good, thank you so much for posting them, Martha…
Hi Jan,
Thanks for providing details of your experience making this in the Instant Pot as well as other modifications for ampking up the flavor! Your comments are very much appreciated. ~Martha
What do you mean by, Lentils, ‘picked over’?
Hi Jane, You want to look through them to make sure there are no stones mixed in. It is rare but it does happen. ~Martha
I thought this chili was very tasty! Very filling!!! I topped the chili with 2 Tablespoons of Greek Yogurt and 2 Tablespoons of 2% cheese! Delish.
Hi Joyce, So happy you enjoyed the chili! ~Martha
Love it! It’s now a regular in the meal planning.
It’s early in the afternoon, so I’m going to try this in the instant pot. Fingers crossed.
Could I use red lentils instead ?
I haven’t tried red lentils but believe they would be fine. ~Martha
There is certainly a great deal to learn about this issue. I really like all the points you’ve made.
My chili was more like soup. Lots of liquid. Not sure what I did wrong, but it was flavorful and smelled great.! Topped it with a little shredded Mexican cheese and a dollop of Greek yogurt.
I’m trying to go meatless at least one day a week. Thanks for providing meatless options. I added a couple hot peppers to spice it up a little.
Looking for recipe for 0 pt chicken taco soup! I’ve seen it recently and can’t find it again-