Recipes › Vegan

The Best Vegan Chili

By Samira Kazan

published September 19, 2024

My easy vegan chili recipe is a hearty and nutrient-dense dish made with a variety of beans, vegetables, and aromatic spices. A healthy, meal-prep recipe perfect for busy weeknights and chilly days.

top view of Vegan Chili in a white bowl - 1

I love this one-pot vegan chili recipe—it’s healthy, hearty, super flavorful, and comforting. It’s a staple in my rotation of vegan recipes and provides so much fiber and plant-based protein AND is perfect for batch cooking and meal prepping. I always make sure to freeze some, so I have a delicious meal for those busy winter nights.

Using a variety of beans and vegetables means that you can also customize it to what you like or what you have at hand. I often swap the types of beans I add or omit some of the veggies. And, of course, you can adjust the heat level to your taste. Keep reading below to see my favorite combo of ingredients!

Filling a small bowl with homemade vegan chili. - 2

And if you’re into bean-based meals, I’m sure you will like my best black bean burgers , too—another delicious way to enjoy plant-based protein. For a lighter option, why not try my comforting white bean soup ? It’s perfect for any season and packed with nutrients. And for those who don’t stick to vegan all the time, my non-vegan homemade chili recipe is also a must-try!

A large pot with homemade vegan chili topped with some fresh cilantro. - 3

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  • Watch how to make vegan chili
  • Ingredients
  • How to make the best vegan chili
  • Recipe tips & serving ideas
  • More vegan recipes you’ll love
  • The Best Vegan Chili Recipe

Watch how to make vegan chili

Ingredients

Ingredients for homemade vegan chili. - 4
  • Beans: I love using black beans , kidney beans , and cannellini beans . They are the key element for this recipe, providing plant-based protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. You could also use pinto beans or navy beans.
  • Vegetables: You need carrots , bell peppers (mixed colors), celery , jalapeño pepper, onions , and garlic . These veggies will bring depth, some sweetness, and freshness to the chili. And, of course, the jalapeno is for a hint of spice to the vegetarian chili. You could also add zucchini, yellow squash, corn, sweet potatoes, or others.
  • Tomatoes: You will need both crushed tomatoes and tomato paste . You can also use whole canned tomatoes and crush them by hand. I often use homemade tomato paste , but storebought works just as well.
  • Vegetable broth : Use homemade vegetable stock or store-bought broth to add depth and umami flavor and to bring the chili to the right consistency.
  • Spices: I use a flavorful mix of chili powder , cumin , smoked paprika , oregano , bay leaf , and salt (to taste).
  • Olive oil : To sauté the vegetables.
  • Toppings (Optional): Add your favorite chili toppings! I like to use tortilla chips, diced red onion, chopped avocado, cilantro, lime wedges, and (vegan) sour cream or cheese.
Topping ideas for vegan chili. - 5

See the printable recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to make the best vegan chili

First, prepare all the ingredients. Drain and rinse the beans. Then, dice the vegetables into small pieces. Grate or mince the garlic. Dice the jalapeno and, depending on how spicy you like it, remove some of the seeds.

Sauté Vegetables and Aromatics: Add the olive oil to a large heavy-bottomed pot or a Dutch oven and heat on medium. Then mix in the chopped vegetables and salt. Cook until the vegetables soften (about 5-10 minutes). Stir occasionally.

Next, add the tomato paste and the spices. Stir well to combine and cook for a minute, allowing the spices to become fragrant.

Steps for sautéing vegetables and aromatics in a pot. - 6

Combine and Simmer: Next, add the crushed tomatoes, the vegetable broth, and bay leaf. Then add the beans and stir the chili to combine.

Now let the vegan chili simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. If needed, lower the heat so it remains simmering (not boiling). During this time, the flavors will develop, and the liquid will reduce, making the vegetarian chili thicker.

Steps for adding tomatoes, broth, and beans to make chili. - 7

Blend for Texture: Once you are happy with the consistency of the chili, remove it from the heat. Make sure to remove the bay leaf.

For the best texture, I recommend blending a portion of the chili. Transfer 1.5-2 cups of the chili to a blender or a bowl and use an immersion blender). Then, blend until smooth. Alternatively, mash or blend briefly in the pot.

Next, transfer the blended chili back to the pot and stir to combine. Taste and adjust any of the seasonings if needed.

Steps for blending some of the chili and adding it back to the pot. - 8

Serve with your choice of toppings: The vegan chili is now ready to serve. Top with some cilantro and drizzle some lime juice. You can also add your favorite toppings, like avocado and tortilla chips .

A serving of vegan chil served with a few optional toppings. - 9

Recipe tips & serving ideas

  • For a Smoother Texture: Blend part of the chili until smooth, then stir it back into the pot. Alternatively, use an immersion blender directly in the pot.
  • Tastes Better the Next Day: Chili often tastes even better after a day in the fridge as the flavors have time to meld together.
  • Slow Simmering is Key: Slow-cooking your chili over low heat enhances the flavors and improves the texture.
  • Add Vegan Ground Meat: Vegan ground meat, like soy mince, tofu ground beef , or any other vegan mince, can be cooked in a separate pan, breaking it up with a spoon until it starts to brown. Then add it to the chili with the beans.
  • Adjust the heat : For a milder chili, reduce or omit the jalapeno. For extra heat, add more jalapeno or some cayenne pepper. You could also drizzle some chili oil to spice up your vegan chili.
  • Freezing and Reheating: Store leftover chili in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. For longer storage, freeze in individual-sized portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stove or in the microwave until thoroughly warmed.
  • Serving Suggestions: This vegan chili is delicious on its own, but you can enhance it with toppings like sliced avocado, tortilla chips, chopped onion, vegan cheddar cheese , vegan sour cream, and lime wedges. It also makes a great protein-rich topping for homemade nachos or veggie burrito bowls . I often like to pair mine with brown rice or quinoa or even as a topping for baked potato .
Three small servings of vegetarian chili topped with tortilla chips, avocado and lime wedges. - 10

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Equipment

  • Hand-held immersion blender or a blender

IngredientsUS CustomaryMetric1x2x3x

  • ▢ 30 oz black beans 2 x 15 oz cans, drained and rinsed (or 3 cups)
  • ▢ 15 oz kidney beans 1 x 15 oz can, drained and rinsed (or 1.5 cups)
  • ▢ 15 oz cannellini beans 1 x 15 oz can, drained and rinsed (or 1.5 cups)
  • ▢ 28 oz crushed tomatoes 2 x 14 oz cans (or 3 cups)
  • ▢ 2 cups vegetable broth
  • ▢ 2 carrots medium ( 1 cup diced)
  • ▢ 2 bell peppers medium ( 2 cups chopped)
  • ▢ 2 stalks celery ( 1 cup chopped)
  • ▢ 1 jalapeño pepper
  • ▢ 2 onions medium ( 1.5 cups diced)
  • ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ▢ 2 Tbsp tomato paste
  • ▢ 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • ▢ 1 bay leaf
  • ▢ 1 Tbsp chili powder
  • ▢ 1 Tbsp ground cumin
  • ▢ 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
  • ▢ 2 tsp dried oregano
  • ▢ 1 tsp salt or to taste

Instructions

  • Drain and rinse the beans. Dice the carrots, bell peppers, celery, and onion. Mince the garlic. Dice the jalapeno and remove some of the seeds (if wanted).
  • In a large heavy-bottomed pot or a Dutch oven, add the olive oil and heat on medium. Stir in the diced onion, carrots, bell peppers, celery, garlic, and jalapeno. Add the salt.
  • Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften.
  • Add the tomato paste, chili powder, oregano, cumin, and smoked paprika. Stir well to combine and cook for 1 minute.
  • Pour the crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth. Add the bay leaf. Stir in the black beans, cannellini beans, and kidney beans.
  • Simmer the vegan chili for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Lower the heat if necessary to keep it simmering.
  • Remove the chili from the heat and remove the bay leaf.
  • Transfer 1.5-2 cups of the chili to a blender or a bowl and use an immersion blender). Blend until smooth. Transfer back to the pot and stir to combine.
  • Taste and adjust any of the seasonings to your liking. Serve the vegan chili with lime wedges, and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

A large pot with homemade vegan chili topped with some fresh cilantro. - 19

The Best Vegan Chili

Equipment

  • Hand-held immersion blender or a blender

Ingredients

  • 30 oz black beans 2 x 15 oz cans, drained and rinsed (or 3 cups)
  • 15 oz kidney beans 1 x 15 oz can, drained and rinsed (or 1.5 cups)
  • 15 oz cannellini beans 1 x 15 oz can, drained and rinsed (or 1.5 cups)
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes 2 x 14 oz cans (or 3 cups)
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 carrots medium ( 1 cup diced)
  • 2 bell peppers medium ( 2 cups chopped)
  • 2 stalks celery ( 1 cup chopped)
  • 1 jalapeño pepper
  • 2 onions medium ( 1.5 cups diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste

Instructions

  • Drain and rinse the beans. Dice the carrots, bell peppers, celery, and onion. Mince the garlic. Dice the jalapeno and remove some of the seeds (if wanted).
  • In a large heavy-bottomed pot or a Dutch oven, add the olive oil and heat on medium. Stir in the diced onion, carrots, bell peppers, celery, garlic, and jalapeno. Add the salt.
  • Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften.
  • Add the tomato paste, chili powder, oregano, cumin, and smoked paprika. Stir well to combine and cook for 1 minute.
  • Pour the crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth. Add the bay leaf. Stir in the black beans, cannellini beans, and kidney beans.
  • Simmer the vegan chili for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Lower the heat if necessary to keep it simmering.
  • Remove the chili from the heat and remove the bay leaf.
  • Transfer 1.5-2 cups of the chili to a blender or a bowl and use an immersion blender). Blend until smooth. Transfer back to the pot and stir to combine.
  • Taste and adjust any of the seasonings to your liking. Serve the vegan chili with lime wedges, and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Recipe on Alphafoodie: https://www.alphafoodie.com/simple-vegan-chili-con-carne/