Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 mins
Servings: 6-8
Ingredients
1 can (15.5 ounces) chili beans in mild chili sauce
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes*
1 can (15 ounces) black beans
1 can (15 ounces) corn
1 cup quinoa
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 and 1/4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1/4 cup (~2 small) jalapeños
1 package (14 ounces) frozen tri-color pepper and onion blend
1 package (1.12 ounces) fajita seasoning
1 teaspoon cumin
1 cup Mexican blend or fiesta blend shredded cheese
Optional additions: 1 teaspoon chili powder, reduced-fat sour cream, guacamole, fresh lime, cilantro
Directions
- Spray the slow cooker with non-stick spray. For this dish, I used a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Add in the chili beans and diced tomatoes UNDRAINED. Drain and rinse the black beans and corn and add them.
- Rinse the quinoa to remove the bitter saponin coating and add that along with the minced garlic, vegetable or chicken broth, and jalapeños (remove seeds, ribs, and finely chop).
- Set on high for 2 and 1/2 hours to 4 hours (watch carefully as all slow cookers cook differently - yours may be quicker or slower. Mine took exactly 3 hours and 30 minutes). Also depending on your slow cooker, you may need to stir occasionally so the quinoa doesn't stick to the bottom.
- You'll know it's done when the quinoa has "popped" and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir in the frozen bell pepper and onion blend, the fajita seasoning, and cumin. Stir well and allow to cook on high uncovered for another 10-15 minutes or until the remaining liquid has absorbed.
- Add in the cheese and increase any spices to reach desired taste preference (add 1-2 teaspoons chili powder, 1/2-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, extra cheese, etc.)
- If desired, serve with sour cream, guacamole, fresh cilantro, and/or a squeeze of lime.
NOTES
*For an extra kick use fire-roasted or diced tomatoes with green chilis. I used plain. Another way to decrease the "kick" is to omit or reduce jalapeños. You can also increase the amount of jalapeños if a stronger kick is desired.