Greatest Vegetarian Chili

October 12, 2025

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This vegetarian chili recipe is hearty, smoky, and full of good-for-you elements. A fast, simple recipe that’s cozy and at all times a crowd favourite!

This simple vegetarian chili is a favourite I’ve been making for years now. It’s a kind of recipes that family and friends particularly request: “Are you able to make that chili once more?” Most individuals who strive it don’t even notice there’s no meat till I inform them. It’s that satisfying and hearty!

As a cookbook creator who focuses on vegetarian and vegan recipes, I’ve made my share of sub-par meatless chili recipes. Lastly, I come across my favourite formulation! This chili has fireplace roasted tomatoes for smokiness, two kinds of beans, quinoa, and some secret elements that create a savory depth that feels satisfying though it’s completely plant-based.

Why I Love This Chili

This vegetarian chili recipe checks each field for what I need in a simple dinner:

It’s genuinely hearty. Black beans and kidney beans mixed with quinoa make this veggie chili substantial sufficient that nobody misses the meat.
It comes collectively quick. Whole time from begin to end is round half-hour: good for busy weeknight dinners while you want one thing on the desk rapidly.
It’s versatile. This recipe is vegetarian, however it’s additionally vegan (with vegan butter) and gluten free.
Everybody genuinely loves it. From choosy youngsters to meat lovers, this chili wins folks over. I’ve served it numerous instances and the pot at all times comes again empty. (I’ve particularly fond reminiscences of my youngsters and their buddies having fun with it!)

5-Star Reader Overview

”This chili was scrumptious and thick! I made a double batch for household dinner, paired along with your Greek yogurt cornbread muffins! So good!” -Julie C.

Components You’ll Want

An awesome vegetarian chili goes past bean soup. It’s arduous to copy the heartiness of that signature taste with out utilizing meat (belief me, as a vegetarian and vegan recipe author, I’ve had numerous expertise making an attempt!).

My recipe makes use of a mix of “secret” elements to convey a savory, salty umami. My authentic inspiration was open-fire cooking: Alex and I first made it over a fireplace in our yard! Right here’s what you’ll want:

Onion and garlic: These add the foundational taste.
Olive oil and butter: I’ve discovered utilizing each olive oil and somewhat butter provides simply the correct quantity of richness that you just want since there’s no meat. Be happy to make use of vegan butter or refined coconut oil as a dairy-free substitute.
Quinoa: In a vegetarian chili, quinoa is a pleasant substitute for the feel of meat.
Beans and corn: I like to make use of a mixture of black beans and kidney beans. Corn provides pops of sweetness.
Canned fireplace roasted tomatoes: This kind of canned tomatoes has a naturally candy taste that’s important.
Ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce: These are among the “secret” elements that add taste. I’ve tried it with out ketchup however it actually is the important thing. You may also vegan Worcestershire for maintain it absolutely vegan.
Chili powder, oregano, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika: Stirring in smoked paprika on the finish provides an irresistible smokiness: it’s my secret weapon for plant-based dishes,

It’s All within the Tomatoes

You can also make this vegetarian chili recipe with any sort of canned tomato, however the most suitable choice is fireplace roasted tomatoes. This kind of tomato is roasted over an open flame, which infuses a candy and smoky taste to the tomatoes. They style higher than normal canned tomato, which might style flat and bitter.

Can’t discover fireplace roasted tomatoes? San Marzano tomatoes can work in a pinch: this Italian sort of tomato has a sweeter taste proper out of the can too. Or, merely use the very best canned tomatoes you’ll find.

Ideas for Making the Greatest Vegetarian Chili

This stovetop model takes half-hour complete, however you can too make it in a gradual cooker (see FAQs) or Instantaneous Pot (see my Instantaneous Pot vegetarian chili). Right here’s get the very best outcomes each time:

Use all of the elements listed within the recipe! I do know it sounds foolish, however every ingredient is basically optimized for taste. The hearth roasted tomatoes, butter, Worcestershire, and ketchup are particularly necessary.
Add smoked paprika on the finish. That is essential! Smoked paprika can lose its energy when cooked too lengthy, so stirring it in on the finish provides a deep smoky taste.
Alter the consistency. In case your chili appears too thick, add water or vegetable broth somewhat at a time. If it’s too skinny, let it simmer uncovered for a number of further minutes.
Style and alter. Earlier than serving, style and add extra kosher salt if wanted. The salt is what makes all the opposite flavors pop.

Toppings & Add-Ins

Among the best components of a vegetarian chili recipe is loading it up with toppings! When you’ve whipped up a giant, steaming pot on the stovetop, assemble your toppings of alternative. Listed below are a number of of our favourite choices:

Shredded cheese: Strive cheddar, Mexican mix or Monterrey Jack.
Bitter cream: It’s required, for my part! For vegan, use Cashew Cream or Vegan Queso.
Inexperienced onion: Onion provides simply the suitable savory aptitude.
Cilantro: Contemporary cilantro provides an herby nuance.
Sizzling sauce: Strive a Mexican scorching sauce like Cholula.
Crushed tortilla chips or roasted pepitas: Add a salty crunch.
Candy potatoes: In case you’d like, you may add diced candy potatoes to the combo for an additional texture (just like my Pumpkin Chili).
Pickled onions or peppers: Add pickled purple onions or pickled jalapeños for a add vibrant colour and tangy taste to chili.
Spicy elements: The bottom recipe is delicate. For extra warmth, add cayenne pepper, diced jalapeño peppers (with seeds), or a small quantity of chipotle powder to style.

Favourite Pairings

Flip this vegetarian chili recipe right into a meal by including a number of easy facet dishes! Cornbread is an apparent pair with this hearty stew, however there are many different choices and concepts. Listed below are some sides to serve with chili:

Add basic skillet cornbread or cornbread muffins
I like this Mexican cornbread with jalapeños or my favourite vegan cornbread
Add a inexperienced salad like Mexican chopped salad or kale Caesar salad
Pair this chili with fries or candy potato fries
Serve it over a baked potato or baked candy potato

Make-Forward & Storage

This vegetarian chili works nice as a make forward recipe for meal prep. Nonetheless, take into account that the chili turns into very thick when refrigerated, so reheat on the stovetop and stir in somewhat further water, then style and add extra salt if essential till the flavour pops.

Leftovers retailer for as much as 3 days refrigerated. Additionally they freeze effectively: place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for as much as 3 months.

Dietary notes

This vegetarian chili recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

Incessantly requested questions

How lengthy ought to I cook dinner vegetarian chili within the crockpot?

For a gradual cooker vegetarian chili, add all elements besides the smoked paprika to your crockpot. Cook dinner on low for six to eight hours or on excessive for 3 to 4 hours. Stir within the smoked paprika over the past quarter-hour of cooking. You could want so as to add further water or vegetable broth since gradual cooking tends to thicken the chili much more. Take into accout, I’ve not examined this variation!

Can I make this vegetarian chili in an Instantaneous Pot?

Sure! Whereas this stovetop model is fast sufficient that strain cooking isn’t essential, you may adapt it. See my Instantaneous Pot vegetarian chili recipe.

How can I make vegetarian chili thick and hearty?

This recipe is already fairly thick due to the quinoa and beans. If you would like it even thicker: (1) Use 3 cans of beans complete as an alternative of two, (2) Let it simmer longer uncovered to scale back extra liquid, (3) Mash a number of spoonfuls of the beans towards the facet of the pot to create a thicker base, or (4) Add cooked lentils for further physique and protein.

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Vegetarian Chili Recipe

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 6 critiques

This vegetarian chili recipe is the very best: loaded with hearty taste and good-for-you elements! Even higher, it’s fast and straightforward.

Writer: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook dinner Time: 25 minutes
Whole Time: half-hour
Yield: 6
Class: Primary dish
Methodology: Stovetop
Delicacies: Chili
Weight loss plan: Vegetarian

Components

1 medium yellow onion
3 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
&frac13; cup dry quinoa
1 cup water
1 (or 2) 15-ounce can black beans, drained*
1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained
2 28-ounce cans diced fireplace roasted tomatoes**
4 tablespoons salted butter (or vegan butter)
1 15-ounce can corn (or 1 ½ cups frozen corn), drained
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce (or omit)
½ cup ketchup
2 tablespoons every chili powder and dried oregano
1 tablespoon every garlic powder and cumin
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon smoked paprika

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Directions

Cube the onion. Mince the garlic.
In a big pot or Dutch oven***, warmth the olive oil over medium warmth. Add the onions and garlic and sauté for five to 7 minutes, till tender.
Add all different elements apart from the smoked paprika. Simmer for 25 minutes, then stir within the smoked paprika. Serve instantly with toppings of your alternative. Retailer leftovers refrigerated for as much as 3 days, or frozen for 3 months. Leftovers turn into very thick when refrigerated, so reheat on the stovetop and stir in somewhat further water, then style and add extra salt if essential till the flavour pops.

Notes

*Make this recipe with a complete of three 15-ounce cans of beans for an much more filling meal.

**Hearth roasted tomatoes are key for the flavour right here. In case you can’t discover them, use San Marzano tomatoes or very best quality canned tomatoes.

***This recipe is simple to cook dinner over an open fireplace. In case you’re taking it tenting, prep the minced onion and garlic and place in a sealed container. Place the elements from water by means of kosher salt in one other giant sealed container, however maintain out the dry quinoa and add it when cooking.

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