Butternut Chili and a Healthy Soup Roundup

Oh the weather outside is frightful, and a bowl of soup is so delightful… Is that how the song goes?

It’s finally feeling like winter here in Phoenix, with nighttime temperatures dipping below freezing.  This time of the year, I always realize I don’t have any real winter clothes in my closet.  A few light sweaters, some scarves and one coat.  There’s not really a point in buying heavier items though because our winter only lasts a few weeks.  Before you know it, we will all be wearing flip-flops again.

vegetarian chiliBecause our cold weather is short-lived, I love getting into the spirit by cuddling under warm blankets with a bowl of piping hot soup.  Last week, I made a vegetarian chili in the slow-cooker inspired by the Gluten-Free Goddess.  The color of this chili is gorgeous, with yellows, reds, and greens.  I used some of the dried beans that I had cooked up the day before, both pinto and black.   
vegetarian chiliThe best part of slow-cooker chili?  You throw everything in when you get up in the morning, and dinner is ready when you are.  So warm your chilly bones (get it? chilly/chili) by giving this recipe a whirl, or try one of the other amazing soups listed below.

Butternut Chili

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • 1 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 tsp. powdered ginger
  • 1 red onion chopped
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper de-seeded and diced
  • 1 red bell pepper de-seeded and diced
  • 1 small butternut squash peeled, de-seeded and cubed (save the seeds for
  • these
  • )
  • 3 cups broth
  • 1 28- oz. can Muir Glen fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 3 cups black beans
  • cups pinto beans
  • 1 Tbsp. white or rice vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. honey
  • 2 diced green chiles or 1 diced jalapeno optional
  • optional toppings: cilantro cheese, avocado, squeeze of lime

Instructions
 

  • Turn slow-cooker onto low and add olive oil. Using garlic press, add 4 cloves garlic. Add in spiced and stir. Add remaining ingredients except toppings and stir. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve with desired toppings.

For more inspiration, here are 10 more healthy soup ideas:

Five-Minute Creamy Mushroom Soup from Andy at Small Bites (a favorite of mine for lunch, especially with added fresh ginger)

Immune-Boosting Soup from Gina at Feed Our Families

Curried Sweet Potato Soup from Lindsay at The Lean Green Bean

Vegetable Pasta Soup from Kat at Eating the Week

Black Bean & Pumpkin Chili and Just Too Easy Tortellini Soup from Rachel at Running Rachel (one of my Mamavation grads)

Curried Carrot Soup from Bianca at Vitality Guide for Women

Salsa Soup from Janel at Eat Well With Janel

Chickpea and Herbed Dumpling Soup from Jesse at The Happy Go Lucky Vegan

Chipotle Sweet Potato Soup from Lisa at The Homesick Texan

If that’s not enough, check out the soups & stews category page at Healthy Aperture. The beautiful photos are sure to inspire you!

 

What’s your favorite part about winter?

 

 

  • Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean December 4, 2011 at 9:17 pm

    oooh thanks for including me! can’t wait to check out all the rest of them!

  • Jesse @ Happy Go Lucky Vegan December 4, 2011 at 11:56 pm

    I love all of these healthy soup ideas! Your butternut chili looks especially delicious. Thanks for including my recipe. 🙂

  • Kendra December 5, 2011 at 5:53 am

    LOL Who are you kidding. Our flip flops are worn year round. Thanks for the great soup ideas and <3 that their are plenty that can be adapted to the veggies/vegan and GF folks in my house. I didnt get any butternut from BBFC this week so making your chili with either sweet potatoes or regular potatoes. Looks like its gonna be a soup and saladsandwich week at our house.

    • inspiredrd December 5, 2011 at 8:20 am

      Haha Kendra, that is exactly what my husband said!

  • Rene December 5, 2011 at 9:03 am

    These look awesome! I’d love for you to stop in and add any Budget Saving Recipes to my brand new weekly link up “Budget Saving Recipes” http://budgetsavingmom.com/2011/12/04/budget-recipe-linky-oreo-coke-cake/

    Thanks! Rene

  • Kandice Tiggas December 5, 2011 at 9:29 am

    Alyssa… THANK YOU for posting this, Matt and I have been in the mood for soups and just yesterday we were searching as if we were hackers online to find a good recipe that fit into our “eating structure”, this saves us the hassle! First up… Creamy Mushroom!

  • Rachel December 5, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    Yum!! 🙂

  • Teri@Managedmacross December 6, 2011 at 3:35 am

    I love your little snowman bow…how season appropriate! Hot soup is such a must in the winter, isn’t it? I love your twist on chili and the compiled list is a real treasure! That curried sweet potato soup is catching my eye!

  • Janel December 7, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    Thanks for the soup mention! I LOVE how easy soups are in the winter and plan on making a few of these. Thanks for the great roundup!

    • inspiredrd December 8, 2011 at 8:03 pm

      Thanks Janel!