When I’m looking for an easy dinner that the whole family will love, I turn to favorites such as vegetable lasagna, taco casserole and this simple, yet satisfying vegetarian chili.
I try to make sure we eat a meatless dinner at least once a week because it’s healthier and less expensive. This vegetarian chili is a favorite with both kids and adults alike, and is the perfect way to warm up on a cold day.
How do you make vegetarian chili?
Start by cooking onions and bell peppers in a pot until the vegetables are tender. Add garlic, beans, tomatoes, green chilies and vegetable broth to the pot, along with a variety of spices. Let the chili simmer until it’s thick, then stir in corn kernels. Serve immediately, with your choice of toppings.
Tips for the perfect dish
This is a mild chili. If you prefer a spicy chili, you can use hot chili powder, or add in spice in another form such as hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes. Vegetable chili will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, which makes this recipe perfect for meal prep. I like to offer a variety of toppings with chili, including shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, diced tomatoes, tortilla chips and diced avocado. This recipe can easily be adapted to the slow cooker. Place all the ingredients in a crock pot, and simmer on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours. If you use a slow cooker, you’ll want to reduce the amount of broth by half. The secret ingredient in this recipe is the cocoa powder. It does not make the chili sweet at all, but the hint of cocoa complements all of the other spices and really makes this chili special.
Vegetarian Chili Flavor variations
This chili is fabulous as-is, but you can also add other flavors to customize it to your tastes.
Protein: If you’re not looking for a meatless meal, try adding some ground beef or ground turkey. To keep things vegetarian, stick with a protein such as soy crumbles or soy chorizo or even chopped up veggie burgers. Vegetables: Feel free to add extra veggies to the mix such as zucchini, carrots, celery, mushrooms or even kale. Beans: I’ve used a blend of black and pinto beans in this dish. You can substitute other types of beans including kidney beans and Great Northern beans.
How can you make chili more flavorful?
If you want a more unique and complex flavor to your chili, you can add any of the following ingredients.
Beer (instead of the vegetable broth) Jalapenos Espresso powder Dried chilies such as ancho, chipotle, cascabel or guajillo Sweet potatoes
Can you freeze vegetarian chili?
This recipe is a great candidate for the freezer. Place the chili into gallon sized freezer bags or airtight containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use the chili, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it on the stovetop until it is warmed through.
My family requests this vegetarian chili on a regular basis and I’m always happy to oblige!
More soup recipes you’ll enjoy
Cabbage Soup Pumpkin Soup Vegetable Soup Alphabet Soup Minestrone Soup
Vegetarian Chili Video
