Easy Vegan Chili Recipe (2024)

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posted by Crissy Pageon Feb 27, 2022 (updated Jan 19, 2024) 3 comments »

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Our easy vegan chili recipe is loaded with healthy beans, vegetables, and delicious flavor! It’s a fabulous recipe for anyone interested in eating more whole, plant-based foods.

Easy Vegan Chili Recipe

Easy Vegan Chili Recipe (1)

If you’ve felt inspired to start experimenting with a whole foods, plant-based diet, you’re not alone. While I’m definitely not vegan yet, I’m making it a point to create plant-based dinners for my family more often. This easy vegan chili recipe began as a Meatless Monday dish for my family, but has definitely evolved into one of my favorite chili recipes of all time.

It’s so wonderful to enjoy a hearty and filling chili recipe that’s also so incredibly healthy for my family. You’re going to love this easy vegan chili recipe so much that you won’t miss the meat and cheese. I promise!

How to Make Vegan Chili

Easy Vegan Chili Recipe (2)

In my family, chili is synonymous with meat and cheese. It left me wondering how to make vegan chili while still creating a dish that my family would readily devour.

Good news—it’s not difficult at all. It’s all about choosing a delicious mix of protein-packed beans, and then building flavors around that.

All of you legume-lovers will also want to check out my tasty vegan lentil soup, too!

For me, I love incorporating carrots, corn and celery in my easy vegan chili. These vegetables add some great flavor and even a touch of sweetness, which I adore.

I’m also loving the flavor of green chilis in this vegan chili recipe. You’ll find when you drop the meat and cheese, you can actually taste all of the flavors in the chili much more fully, and that’s a good thing.

Here’s a quick rundown on how to make what is in my opinion, the best vegan chili!

Ingredients:

  • 2 cans great northern beans, rinsed
  • 1 can dark red kidney beans, rinsed
  • 1 can diced fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1 can tomato paste
  • 2 cans diced green chiles
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 3 ribs celery, diced
  • 3 carrots, diced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:

  1. Heat olive oil in a 4 to 6 quart dutch oven. Add celery and the carrots; sauté for 5 to 6 minutes. Add the onion and the garlic and sauté for another 3 to 4 minutes.
  2. Stir in the fire roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, green chiles, corn, chili powder, oregano, cumin and the salt. Add the beans, vegetable broth and the water and stir until everything is well blended. Simmer for 30 to 40 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
  3. Serve warm; optionally, top with diced avocado and cilantro to keep it vegan or add cheese and sour cream for vegetarian! :)

Best Vegan Chili

My whole family loves this vegan chili recipe. I’ve tried a few other plant-based chili recipes online and I really think that this one is the best!

Would I love to convert my whole family to a vegan diet? Sure, in theory that sounds great. For now, as a mother and as the primary meal-cooker, what I can do is just try to incorporate more delicious, plant-based meals into my regular dinner rotation. That’s a step in the right direction, and I feel good about that.

So, for all of you carnivores, I dare you to give my easy vegan chili a whirl. I love topping mine with diced avocado and fresh cilantro. Oh, and don’t forget the tortilla chips for dipping!

If you give this vegan chili recipe a try, be sure to leave a comment below sharing your thoughts. Your comments are the only way I know if anyone is reading this blog. Tap, tap… is this thing on? ? Thanks so much!

Easy Vegan Chili Recipe (3)
Easy Vegan Chili Recipe (4)

Yield: 6 servings

Additional Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour

Our easy vegan chili recipe is simple, healthy, and a wonderful way to incorporate plant-based eating in your diet!

Ingredients

  • 2 cans (15.8 oz.) great northern beans, rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz.) dark red kidney beans, rinsed
  • 1 (14.5 oz.) can diced fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
  • 2 (4.5 oz.) cans diced green chiles
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 3 ribs celery, diced
  • 3 carrots, diced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a 4 to 6 quart dutch oven (I'm obsessed with mine). Add celery and the carrots; sauté for 5 to 6 minutes. Add the onion and the garlic and sauté for another 3 to 4 minutes.
  2. Stir in the fire roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, green chiles, corn, chili powder, oregano, cumin and the salt. Add the beans, vegetable broth and the water and stir until everything is well blended. Simmer for 30 to 40 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
  3. Serve warm; optionally, top with diced avocado and cilantro to keep it vegan or add cheese and sour cream for vegetarian! :)
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 286

Dinner Soups

originally published on Feb 27, 2022 (last updated Jan 19, 2024)

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3 comments on “Easy Vegan Chili”

  1. D Peeler Reply

    Very easy and delicious!! This chili comes together very quickly and the taste is phenomenal!! I added 1 chipotle pepper and a bit of the sauce as I didn’t have green chili peppers. It turned out so fabulous! Thank you for a quick and easy recipe that my family loved.

  2. Linda Carroll Reply

    Thanks for this easy veggie chili. Can I put this in the slo-cooker as is or make adjustments? Thx again. Can’t wait to try out

  3. Erlene Reply

    We love chili and this will be perfect for veggie meal days. Thanks for sharing your recipe on Merry Monday.

Leave a comment »

Easy Vegan Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

What is the trick to a good chili? ›

Rumi Spice's top tips for making chili:
  1. Brown the Meat.
  2. Don't Forget Vegetables.
  3. Elevate with Extra Flavor.
  4. Only Add Flavorful Liquids.
  5. Opt for Dried Beans.
  6. Season Early and Often.
  7. Add Some Acidity at the End.
  8. Top It Off.

What can I replace meat with in chili? ›

Here are just a few ideas.....
  • An extra can of beans (pinto, kidney, or black)
  • Seitan.
  • Bulgur.
  • Portobella Mushrooms.
  • My Cauliflower Taco Crumbles.
  • Butler Soy Curls.
  • Any of the new burger crumble products in the store.
Jan 15, 2023

What is vegan chili made of? ›

This Vegan Chili is a moderately-spiced, tomato-y stew loaded with chunks of celery, onion, green bell pepper, and carrot. Spices like ancho chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic, and cayenne pepper add some body to the chili, while kidney beans and pinto beans give a hearty and creamy texture.

What is the best liquid for chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What is the most flavorful meat for chili? ›

Texas Chili - Chuck

Most chili lovers will tell you that this is the ideal cut of meat for stew and chili. Chuck is initially a very tough cut of beef, but when you consider the fact chuck is highly marbled, it turns out this is perfect for the low-and-slow way to cook the perfect Texas chili.

What to add when chili is missing something? ›

Secret Ingredients

for a rich flavor, depth addition try espresso powder (finely ground coffee), cocoa powder, or cinnamon. Liquid Smoke is also a great flavor addition for some deep special flavor! many people will add a shot of bourbon, beer, sherry, or brandy for a smooth edge with a little kick in the bite.

What is a substitute for chili beans in chili? ›

What can I put in chili instead of beans? Chopped potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, and other favorite vegetables make an excellent addition to chili instead of beans.

How do you thicken vegan chili? ›

Stir in some finely ground cornmeal or masa harina.

Start by stirring 1 to 2 tablespoons into your chili, allow the stew to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes more, and it should thicken up a bit. Masa harina (an instantly binding corn flour) also works beautifully to absorb liquid.

Do you drain beans for chili? ›

Too much liquid will thin your chili

The same holds true for using canned beans in chili. According to Taste of Home, you should typically drain canned beans before adding them to your pot of chili. All that liquid can seriously water the chili down, diluting all its flavors.

Is plant-based chili good for you? ›

High in Nutrients: One of the main benefits of vegan chili is that it is packed with nutrients. Beans, which are a staple ingredient in vegan chili, are a great source of plant-based protein and fiber. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins.

What to add to chili for more flavor? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

How do you add depth of flavor to chili? ›

Here are some of the most common (and most effective) flavor boosters to add to your chili recipe.
  1. Booze (Beer, Wine, or Liquor) ...
  2. Liquid Smoke. ...
  3. Brine or Vinegar. ...
  4. Soy Sauce. ...
  5. Fish Sauce. ...
  6. Worcestershire Sauce. ...
  7. Coffee or Espresso Powder. ...
  8. Chocolate.
Aug 23, 2021

How do you darken chili flavor? ›

Drop in some chocolate.

We're all about adding some cocoa to your chili, especially in the early stages of cooking when you're blooming your spices, but I like to drop a few pieces of dark chocolate into the pot too.

What makes can chili taste better? ›

Professional chefs shared their favorite ways to turn a can of chili into a tastier option. Cocoa, beer, and cinnamon are ingredients that'll boost the flavor of your dish. Fresh toppings are an easy way to add new flavor and texture to the premade meal.

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