Vegetarian Chili: the delicious, easy recipe for a meat-free comfort dish

If you're in the mood to make a hearty, comforting plant-based meal, there's nothing like a simple homemade vegetarian chili. This mouthwatering, easy-to-make vegetarian chili is bursting with a spicy, smoky flavor thanks to a combination of delicious spices, chili peppers, vegetables, and garlic. It's made with three types of beans and fire-roasted tomatoes, so it's an incredibly hearty dish that will satisfy both your taste buds and your hunger.

Homemade vegetarian chili is a killer dish to serve for large gatherings, game day, or when you want a cozy weeknight dinner. Serve it with a side of rice, potatoes, tortilla chips, or some crusty bread.

Homemade Vegetarian Chili Ingredients

Vegetarian chili is made with a trio of black beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans cooked with fire-roasted tomatoes (for the perfect hint of smokiness), bell peppers, onions, and carrots.

Garlic, cumin, oregano, chili powder, and cumin add loads of flavor to the dish, while minced jalapeno brings the heat.

It's typically served with some sour cream, cilantro, and cheese.

How to Make Vegetarian Chili

You won't believe how simple it is to make the best vegetarian chili you'll ever taste. Start by sauteing the onions, bell pepper, and carrots until they become soft. Mix in the garlic and jalapeno and cook them until fragrant.

Next, add the tomato paste to coat the veggies. Stir in tomatoes, beans, vegetable broth, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Let the chili come to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer and cook it for half an hour. Serve your chili with a garnish of cilantro, cheese, and sour cream, and enjoy!

Vegetarian Chili Topping Ideas

This easy-to-make vegetarian chili is usually served with a dollop of sour cream, some freshly chopped cilantro, and grated cheddar cheese.

You can use parsley instead of cilantro, if you prefer, or do a mix of cheeses. Gouda, queso fresco, Swiss, mozzarella, and Jack are all tasty options.

For a pop of brightness, try adding a spritz of lime juice.

For extra crunch, sprinkle some chopped spring onions over the top.

What to Serve with Vegetarian Chili

Serve your chili over rice, French fries, potato wedges, baked potatoes, or nachos.

You can also serve it with a side of breadsticks, garlic knots, dinner rolls, or some crusty bread so you can mop your bowl clean!

Vegetarian Chili Variations

To make a vegan, dairy-free chili, use vegan cheese instead of regular cheese.

Add other vegetables for an even heartier chili. Eggplant, zucchini, squash, potatoes, broccoli, sweet potato, and pumpkin are all delicious.

You can also make your chili in a slow cooker. Cook it on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 6 hours.

Tips for Making the Best Vegetarian Chili

If your chili isn't as thick as you'd like it to be, you can add a cornstarch slurry made from a 1:1 ratio of cornstarch and water, or mix in some flour.

For a spicier chili, add extra cayenne or chili powder to the dish.

For a smokier flavor, try adding some smoked paprika or ancho chili powder.

How to Store and Reheat Homemade Vegetarian Chili

Keep your chili in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For long-term storage, freeze for up to 3 months.

To reheat, place the chili in a pot and heat it over medium until completely warmed through.

More Recipes You'll Like

• Gallo pinto
• Vegetarian meatloaf
• Vegetarian moussaka

Instructions

Step 1

Step 1

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the onions.

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the onions.

Step 2

Step 2

Stir in the garlic.

Stir in the garlic.

Step 3

Step 3

Add in the bell pepper.

Add in the bell pepper.

Step 4

Step 4

Add in the carrots for 5 minutes, or until soft.

Add in the carrots for 5 minutes, or until soft.

Step 5

Step 5

Mix in the tomato paste. Stir in the jalapeno. Cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant.

Mix in the tomato paste. Stir in the jalapeno. Cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant.

Step 6

Step 6

Pour in the tomatoes.

Pour in the tomatoes.

Step 7

Step 7

Mix.

Mix.

Step 8

Step 8

Add in the pinto beans.

Add in the pinto beans.

Step 9

Step 9

Stir in the black and kidney beans.

Stir in the black and kidney beans.

Step 10

Step 10

Add in the cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt and pepper.

Add in the cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt and pepper.

Step 11

Step 11

Pour in the vegetable broth.

Pour in the vegetable broth.

Step 12

Step 12

Let the mixture come to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes.

Let the mixture come to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes.

Step 13

Step 13

Garnish with cheese

Garnish with cheese

Step 14

Step 14

Add the cilantro.

Add the cilantro.

Step 15

Step 15

Add the sour cream. Serve and enjoy!

Add the sour cream. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

If you're concerned about your salt intake, use low-sodium vegetable broth to make your chili.