“Does the Internet really need another vegan chili recipe?” I thought about this question before hitting publish on this post. At times, it can feel like every blogger is doing the same thing. However, this recipe is special to me. I’ve been making a version of this vegan chili for quite some time; it’s a fall and winter staple in my house.
I wanted to share the recipe so that maybe we could enjoy a warm bowl of it at the same time, since we're currently all apart (I make it pretty much every Sunday if you want to sync calendars). It wasn’t really a recipe until recently when I actually noted specific amounts of each ingredient. But here it is! This is the best vegan chili, according to me, and I really hope you like it.
Trader Joes Chili Seasoning
To be honest, there aren’t any surprising ingredients in this recipe. There’s onion, garlic, tomato, beans, and the usual chili spices. I’m completely committed to Trader Joe’s Organic Chili Seasoning Blend and am convinced it’s the best chili powder out there. If you can get your hands on some, I highly recommend it. That seasoning blend, along with Trader Joe’s Beef-less Ground Beef, makes this vegan chili recipe extremely hearty, satisfying, and rich. If you don’t live near Trader Joe’s you can use your favorite meatless ground beef.
Let it simmer
As with most chili and soup recipes, the longer you let it simmer, the better it will taste. I always let my vegan chili simmer over a low flame, covered, for at least three hours. Just start it in the afternoon and enjoy the delicious aroma of vegan chili all day long. Of course, if you’re short on time, this vegan chili can be ready in under an hour.
Our favorite chili toppings
Ladle the vegan chili into bowls, top with vegan sour cream or avocado (I love both) and enjoy every last bite. If you're looking for more topping ideas, try adding:
- Tortilla chips
- Avocado chunks
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Diced tomato
- Diced onion
- Scallions
- Fresh cilantro
- Fresh jalapenos
- Lime wedge
- Vegan cheese
- Vegan sour cream
This chili also keeps well in the fridge for several days - I’ve even repurposed leftovers as filling for vegan enchiladas!
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The Best Vegan Chili
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hrs
- Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: dinner
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: american
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Hearty, satisfying, flavorful, and filling, this just might be the best vegan chili recipe there is. I hope you like it as much as I do!
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ yellow onion, finely chopped
- 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 12-ounce package meatless ground beef
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 4-ounce can of diced green chiles
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 15.5-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15.5-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
Instructions
- Warm the olive oil in a large stockpot over medium-low heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until soft, 3 minutes.
- Add the beefless ground to the pot and season with chili powder, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, and salt. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes.
- Pour the diced green chiles, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, pinto beans, black beans, and vegetable broth into the pot. Add the tomato paste and stir to combine.
- Turn up the heat to medium to bring the chili to a simmer. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for at least an hour. The longer you let the chili simmer, the better the flavor will be. I recommend three hours if you can manage it; longer is even better!
- Taste the chili and adjust the seasonings to your liking; I added another pinch of cinnamon.
- Ladle the chili into bowls and serve with vegan sour cream and avocado.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 6.6 g
- Sodium: 1337.7 mg
- Fat: 3.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42.3 g
- Fiber: 11.7 g
- Protein: 20.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: vegan chili, vegetarian chili
Here are a few other vegan chili recipes you might enjoy!
fooddoz.com
Thanks for the best vegan chili recipe.
http://www.fooddoz.com
Mara
Who doesn't love chili? I am going to try this with TVP soaked in beef broth for 30 minutes, squeeze out the liquid but keep the broth. Sometimes I like a mole kinda chili, and I am not sure if it is authentic, but Ii add 1T or 2 tsp cocoa powder, and 1 tsp cinnamon to the chilli after it has cooked and just stir it into the hot chilli and let it cool. It gives it a richness I really enjoy.
Milan
Mine turned out pretty good.
I used half the green chilis, and one less can of tomatoes (and used real tomatoes instead).
Improvised with the cooker (with mix of pinto, black, kidney beans, the kidney beans are stubborn). 10-15 whistles, then let it simmer for 2 hours.
Some in my family complained that the Chili tastes a tad bit bitter the next day, so maybe the extra sauce in the recipe helps balance it out.
But I appreciate the high protein, almost oil-less recipe. This one is going in my list to tinker with and make again. 🙂
Thank you!