Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipe (vegan chili!) (2024)

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This Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipe is our family's go-to, one-pot meal. It's full of vegetables, made with pantry staple ingredients, and is so easy to make. It's a delicious vegan chili that everyone raves about!

Photos updated in 2020. Same delicious chili recipe.

Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipe (vegan chili!) (1)

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Enter this Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipe …

Check out our video for how to make vegetarian chili:

Vegetarian Chili Toppings

Vegan Chili Toppings

Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipes

Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipe (vegan chili!)

I love sitting down to a big bowl of hearty vegetarian chili on a cool evening. I actually prefer vegetarian chili to a meat-based chili, even though I can no longer refer to myself as a vegetarian.

When I was 20 years old, I decided to stop eating meat. During those 14 years, I became really attached to my meat-free comfort foods. Vegetarian chili is at the top of my list followed very closely by Thai coconut curries and Indian curries.

There's just something about a one-pot meal where all the flavors meld together to become so much more than they could have been on their own.

Enter this Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipe …

I've been making this homemade chili for so many years that it's become second nature to make it. Honestly, it felt a little funny measuring the ingredients so I could share the recipe with you.

There is one thing you need to know: I wasn't joking about this being an easy chili recipe. Even though I have all the ingredients listed in proper measurements, feel free to eyeball and make substitutions. This is one chili that you cannot mess up.

And if you love your crockpot, I've made a Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili Recipe. It's basically this recipe with a few tweaks to make it work in a slow cooker.

Check out our video for how to make vegetarian chili:

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See how crazy easy it is to make vegan chili?

The one thing you need to know about this (or any) vegetarian chili recipe, is that you want to salt it well. Salt helps bring out the flavor as well as create a feeling of depth that can sometimes be lacking in vegetarian recipes. Don't be shy with the salt shaker.

I absolutely LOVE sitting down to a bowl of this chili because it's not only delicious, it's so healthy for you, too. There are so many veggies in here that you have to feel good eating it.

Usually, we'll eat it on its own or with a little cheese on top. But once in a while, we'll get fancy and make some cornbread. Our favorite is still theseCheesy Chili Zucchini Cornbread Muffins with Chili Honey Butter. If you haven't tried them yet, I highly recommend you do! We also love this chili with our Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread.

Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipe (vegan chili!) (2)

I always make my chili super spicy, but you don't have to. That's the thing about this chili, you really don't ‘have to' do anything. It's essentially just a bunch of veggies, some beans, and some spices. You can add more or less of any the veggies or spices, or leave some out entirely. You can switch up the beans by adding a different kind or a few different kinds of beans. This chili recipe is extremely flexible and can be used as a guide for making many different vegetarian chili recipes.

The only thing I wouldn't leave out of the chili is the corn. But then again, I just love the crunchy sweet bits in each bite. If corn is not your thing (do people who don't like corn exist?) then just leave it out 🙂

Vegetarian Chili Toppings

While it's delicious on its own, we love this chili with some toppings. They make it feel extra special. Our favorites are:

  • Grated cheddar cheese
  • Sour Cream
  • Corn chips (bonus if they're nacho flavored!)
  • Sliced green onions

Vegan Chili Toppings

Don't worry vegans, we've got you covered!

  • Diced avocado (amazing!)
  • Chopped cilantro
  • A sprinkle of nutritional yeast for some healthy cheesy flavor
  • Pickled red onions. This is the recipe that I LOVE!
  • Corn chips (but skip the nacho flavored ones)
Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipe (vegan chili!) (3)

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Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipe (vegan chili!) (8)

Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipe (vegan chili!)

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 40 minutes mins

Total: 55 minutes mins

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This easy vegetarian chili recipe is our family's go-to, one-pot dinner. It's full of vegetables, made with pantry staple ingredients, and is so easy to make. It's a delicious vegan chili that everyone raves about!

6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 1 large onion (diced)
  • 4 cloves garlic (finely minced)
  • 1-3 tablespoons chili powder (more will be spicier)
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • ¼ – 2 teaspoons chili flakes (the more chili flakes the spicier it will be)
  • 2 medium bell peppers (diced)
  • 2 medium carrots (diced)
  • 3 medium celery stalks (diced)
  • 2 28-ounce cans of whole tomatoes and their juice (use your hands to roughly crush the tomatoes)
  • 2 15-ounce cans of beans (drained and rinsed (we like kidney and white beans))
  • 2 cups frozen corn (you could use fresh but frozen is easy and works great)
  • Sea salt (to taste (we like about 2 teaspoons))
  • Optional toppings: sour cream, cheddar cheese, cilantro, diced avocados, or green onion

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute more. Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, and chili flakes and stir.

    2 tablespoons cooking oil, 1 large onion, 4 cloves garlic, 1-3 tablespoons chili powder, 2 tablespoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon oregano, ¼ – 2 teaspoons chili flakes

  • Add the peppers, carrots, and celery and cook for about 5 minutes, or until they just start to soften. Add the tomatoes and their juice and bring to a simmer. Once the chili begins to simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low. You want the chili to be at a low simmer with the lid off.

    2 medium bell peppers, 2 medium carrots, 3 medium celery stalks, 2 28-ounce cans of whole tomatoes and their juice

  • Continue to cook the chili, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Add beans and corn and let the chili return to a simmer. Cook for 5 more minutes or until the corn and beans have heated through. Season generously with sea salt.

    2 15-ounce cans of beans, 2 cups frozen corn, Sea salt

  • Serve on its own or topped with one (or all!) of the delicious toppings. Enjoy!

    Optional toppings: sour cream, cheddar cheese, cilantro, diced avocados, or green onion

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving = ⅙ of the recipe, Calories: 333kcal (17%), Carbohydrates: 59g (20%), Protein: 13g (26%), Fat: 8g (12%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1637mg (71%), Potassium: 1674mg (48%), Fiber: 14g (58%), Sugar: 24g (27%), Vitamin A: 5793IU (116%), Vitamin C: 83mg (101%), Calcium: 175mg (18%), Iron: 8mg (44%)

© Author Kristen Stevens

We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.

For more inspiration, check out all of our chili recipes!

Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipe (vegan chili!) (2024)

FAQs

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 secret to making good chili? ›

Only Add Flavorful Liquids

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

How long does homemade vegan chili last in the fridge? ›

How Long Does Vegan Chili Last? If you want to make a large batch of vegan chili for meal prep, you can store it in the fridge for three to five days or freeze it in jars for two to three months, making sure to leave at least an inch of headspace in each jar. Defrost vegan chili in the refrigerator overnight.

How do you thicken vegan chili? ›

You can use polenta, arrowroot powder (a gluten-free vegetable root flour), or masa harina as a thickening agent if you don't have cornmeal. In Latin American cooking, chefs use masa harina—a type of cornflour—to make tamales and tortillas.

What is a vegetarian substitute for ground beef in chili? ›

Pinto beans are also great! bulgur or quinoa - inexpensive and usually easy to find in the bulk bins at the grocery store, bulgur adds even more of a ground meat texture to vegan chili. Use quinoa for a gluten-free option. spices - the most important ingredients in any chili recipe!

What vegetable can replace meat? ›

Some whole foods, such as beans, lentils, chickpeas, and mushrooms, contain protein or have a meaty texture and can work well as meat substitutes. Food manufacturers often include these types of food in their vegetarian and vegan products.

Is Vegetarian Chili good for you? ›

Chili with no meat is very very good for you, with lots of lean protein and fiber from the beans, and other nutrients coming from the sauce (usually tomato and veg based). If you add meat, don't add too much and try to avoid high fat ground meat. Try turkey, chicken, or tofu instead.

What liquid is best for chili? ›

The Sauce Ingredients: Choose Up to 2

While something as basic as water will get the job done, broth is a quick and simple way to give chili an extra-savory flavor, and canned tomatoes can add a layer of sweetness.

Why do you put vinegar in chili? ›

Cooking is often about finding a balance between these basic taste sensations, which is why apple cider vinegar can be exactly what you need to make your pot of chili a little brighter. Acids enhance the salty, umami-rich flavors already present in chili, and round out the sweetness, adding intricacy to the dish.

Why do you put brown sugar in chili? ›

The brown sugar gave it a sweet/tangy flavor that reminded me of BBQ-sauce! Th chili was so good - it was hard to stop eating it! I did had some extra veggies (1 cl. garlic, 1 celery stalk, 1 carrot, 1 bell pepper, 1 hot pepper) and used a can of diced tomatoes rather than tomato juice.

Is it safe to eat vegetarian chili left out overnight? ›

The USDA says food that has been left out of the fridge for more than two hours should be thrown away. At room temperature, bacteria grows incredibly fast and can make you sick. Reheating something that has been sitting at room temperature for longer than two hours won't be safe from bacteria.

What kind of beans go in chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

What chilli sauce is vegan? ›

Many brands, including Cholula, Frank's RedHot, Tabasco, Tapatío, and most Sriracha brands are vegan.

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.

Can vegans eat chilli sauce? ›

Yes, all you heat-lovers on a plant-based diet will be happy to hear that hot sauce is generally vegan-friendly.

Is meatless chili good for you? ›

Chili with no meat is very very good for you, with lots of lean protein and fiber from the beans, and other nutrients coming from the sauce (usually tomato and veg based). If you add meat, don't add too much and try to avoid high fat ground meat. Try turkey, chicken, or tofu instead.

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