Vegan Chili Recipe with Beans (oil free) | Easy Dinner Ideas (2024)

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Are you looking for a delicious vegan chili recipe that is full of flavor and easy to make? Look no further! This oil-free, whole-foods plant-based meatless chili recipe is guaranteed to surprise and delight your guests at the next family gathering or potluck (large crowd pleaser).

It has all the traditional flavors that make chili great without any animal products - just pure veggies, beans, spices and herbs crafted into a tasty bowl of goodness.

Vegan Chili Recipe with Beans (oil free) | Easy Dinner Ideas (1)

Not only is this healthy vegan chili incredibly satisfying; it's also surprisingly quick and easy to make! So get ready for a hearty experience with this delicious vegan chili dish!

This vegan chili sin carne was inspired by my pizza soup recipe and my other white chili recipe. It also pairs well with Nacho Cheese Sauce, Queso Sauce, vegan cornbread.

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Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Favorite Toppings
  • Instructions
  • Substitution
  • Variation
  • Equipment
  • Storage
  • Tips
  • FAQ
  • 📖 Recipe

Ingredients

You do not need a lot of unusual ingredients for this vegetarian chili recipe, most of them are pantry staples.

You can find the ingredients with quantities and the recipe to print out on the recipe card below.

  • Bulgur or couscous
  • yellow Onion
  • Garlic cloves
  • Cocoa powder, unsweetened
  • Molasses
  • Red and green bell peppers
  • Tomato paste
  • Diced tomatoes canned
  • Red Kidney beans, canned
  • Black beans, canned
  • Corn, canned
  • Vegetable stock
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Paprika Powder
  • Chili Powder
  • Sea salt and black pepper
  • Oregano, dried
  • Tabasco or other spicy sauce or fresh jalapeños
  • Cumin
  • Dried coriander
  • Celery powder
  • Lime Juice (opt)

Favorite Toppings

I love to top my bowl of chili with some of these delicious toppings:

  • Sliced ​​or diced avocado
  • Tortilla chips
  • Vegan cheese, grated
  • Vegan sour cream
  • Coconut milk
  • Lime slices
  • Tortilla crispy baked in the oven
  • Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Vegan Chili Recipe with Beans (oil free) | Easy Dinner Ideas (2)

Instructions

First brown the diced onions and chopped garlic cloves vigorously on medium heat. For this I always give a splash of water to the onions. Now you can add the remaining ingredients and stir well. Simmer on low heat for about 15-20 minutes until the bulgur or the alternative is cooked.

This plant-based chili is made easily yin a slow cooker. Just sauté the onions and garlic first to get all the flavor, and add the other ingredients afterward. Let it cook for about 3-6 hours. And you got yourself a hearty vegan chili that has a lot of healthy ingredients in it.

Vegan Chili Recipe with Beans (oil free) | Easy Dinner Ideas (3)

Substitution

  • Bulgur: I think the bulgur adds a meaty texture to this veggie chili. To prepare a gluten-free version of chili, simply use buckwheat groats, millet or quinoa. Couscous is also suitable as a Bulgur alternative. Couscous is made from durum wheat semolina like pasta. It is a flour granule cooked in some water. Couscous is usually steamed and not cooked and cooked in 5 minutes. Freekeh is perfect as a minced meat substitute or bulgur substitute, just to replace the bulgur 1:1.
  • Beans: Use your favorite beans here. I love a variety of beans and use different kinds for my plant-based protein.

Variation

Here are some best vegan chili recipes. Change it up and it will never get boring!

  • Lentil Chili: Add some lentils you can add red lentils, or the "normal" lentils you get at the grocery store.
  • Creamy: Add some coconut milk or cashew cream to make a creamy version of this good chili recipe.
  • Fall Style: For a perfect cozy meal, add some pumpkin squash or and sweet potato.

Equipment

To make this hearty chili you will need a large pot like a 4qt (4l), a cutting board, chef knife and a cooking spoon.

Vegan Chili Recipe with Beans (oil free) | Easy Dinner Ideas (4)

Storage

What can you do with chili leftovers?

In the fridge, the vegan chili lasts about 4-5 days in an airtight container.

Can you freeze chili?

Chili is even great for freezing and thus as a meal prep. The recipe below is designed for about 6-8 people. So if you have leftovers, let the chili cool to room temperature and then freeze it in portions in airtight containers. That's how the chili lasts for 3-4 months. To defrost, simply remove the chili from the freezer the night before and let it thaw on the countertop.

Uses of leftover chili:

  • Topping for nachos, fried potatoes, fries
  • Filling for quesadillas, burritos, taquitos, tacos.
Vegan Chili Recipe with Beans (oil free) | Easy Dinner Ideas (5)

Tips

  • You can adjust the amount of beans as you like. You can still add white beans or just kidney beans.
  • Take the beans you just like, e.g. white beans, pinto beans and others
  • If you like chili thicker, then just use less broth. Depending on whether you use Bulgur or couscous, you need more or less liquid. Bulgur is more absorbent than couscous.
  • The chili tastes best when it has stood overnight. If it is too thick the next day, just add a little more vegetable broth.

FAQ

How to thicken chili?

Do you love a thick chili? Chili gets thicker through the bulgur, couscous, or you just let it cook a bit longer until it's thickened. You can also thicken with cornstarch, but it won’t be necessary. Let it cook a little longer, accordingly.

Why do you need cocoa powder and molasses in your vegan chili?

Cocoa powder and molasses are not just baking ingredients for cookies, biscuits and other pastries. Thanks to these ingredients, you get a vegan chili full of flavor. These ingredients do not dominate in the stew. But they highlight the other flavors.

What is Bulgur?

Bulgur is a whole groat wheat that is cooked like rice in about 15 minutes. Just follow the instructions of the package. Bulgur is an important ingredient to mimic the texture of minced meat in stews.
You are welcome to boil the bulgur and freeze it. You can use bulgur for other dishes where you would normally use minced meat like taco, stews, sauces.
Bulgur is very good at absorbing the taste of dishes and is therefore very suitable as a ground meat substitute.
Unfortunately, you do not see any bulgur in the pictures, but couscous, because unfortunately I did not find any bulgur in my area and my supply went out.

Is Chili healthy?

We do not use oil or added sugar. The chili mainly consists of bulgur, beans, corn, tomatoes. In my opinion, it is a healthy dish full of nutrients such as vitamins A, C, folic acid, iron and calcium. However, I am not a nutritionist and these are just my assessments.

📖 Recipe

Vegan Chili Recipe with Beans (oil free) | Easy Dinner Ideas (6)

Vegan Chili Recipe

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Craving a good chili but trying to keep it vegan? Get your coziness on with this hearty, flavorful dish that's full of beans, veggies and bulgur! A perfect meal for those cold autumn evenings or when you just want something warm for dinner. Plus its packed with nutritious ingredients - what more could you ask for?! Whip up a batch in the crockpot or one-pot style; either way it'll be party ready in no time at all!

Ingredients

  • 1 cups (225g) Bulgur or 1 cup (150g) couscous
  • 1 onion
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, unsweetened
  • 0.5 tablespoon molasses
  • 2 bell peppers, red and green
  • 4 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 cans diced tomatoes (each about 400g)
  • 1 can kidney beans, (480g)
  • 1 can corn, (200g)
  • 1 can black beans
  • 2-3 cups (500-750 ml) broth
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoon paprika powder
  • ½ -1 teaspoon chili powder
  • sea salt and pepper
  • 1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions

First brown the diced onions and chopped garlic cloves vigorously. For this I always give a splash of water to the onions.

Now you can add the remaining ingredients and stir well. Simmer on low heat for about 15-20 minutes until the bulgur or the alternative is cooked.

Notes

More Tips in the Post above!

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

More Vegan Soups

  • Vegan Hungarian Goulash Recipe with Jackfruit
  • Vegan Red Cabbage Soup (wfpb, oil free, gluten free)
  • Vegan Split Pea Soup Recipe
  • Vegan Creamy Tomato Soup Recipe (oil free)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    BEST EVER , the only recipe you will ever need for authentic, home-style, comforting chili ever again. SERIOUSLY!!! Tastes just like original ! I didn't have onion but used onion powder and also sauteed three stalks of celery and three carrot sticks on hand at the beginning-- turned out great. Super easy and only took about 10 or less to put together. Cocoa powder and molasses were unexpected but glad I followed the recipe! Added great depth of flavor! AWESOME!!! Will make again!

    • Jasmin says

      Thank you for this amazing feedback. I am really happy you liked it.

Vegan Chili Recipe with Beans (oil free) | Easy Dinner Ideas (2024)

FAQs

What can you put in chili besides beans? ›

Replacing up to 2 cups chopped vegetables is a great choice and one of the best substitutes – Cauliflower florets, broccoli florets, bell pepper, white or portobello mushrooms, sweet peas or split peas, carrots, zucchini or butternut squash.

What is chili called without beans? ›

No bean chili, also known as Texas chili or Chile con carne, is a spicy stew made without any beans. It traditionally contains meat (usually ground beef), tomatoes, peppers, onions, aromatics and flavorful spices.

What is vegan chili made of? ›

This Vegan Chili is a moderately-spiced, tomato-y stew loaded with chunks of celery, onion, green bell pepper, and carrot. Spices like ancho chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic, and cayenne pepper add some body to the chili, while kidney beans and pinto beans give a hearty and creamy texture.

Does Gordon Ramsay put beans in chili? ›

Gordon Ramsay's recipe for chili con carne includes onion, a red chili pepper, fresh tomatoes, and kidney beans. Ramsay's chili recipe is lengthy — it includes everything from ground cumin and sweet paprika to a cinnamon stick, ground beef or beef mince, and garlic.

Does celery go into chili? ›

To make the chili:

Stir in the onions, garlic and celery cover and cook for about 5 minutes, until soft and translucent. Sprinkle in the spice mix, stir and cook for an additional two minutes.

What are the best sides for chili? ›

Baked potatoes and chili is a classic combination that everyone loves. Chili also pairs well with baked sweet potatoes, roasted potatoes, potato wedges, fries, and more.

What can I serve with chilli instead of rice? ›

Some of the best choices for what to serve with chilli con carne instead of rice include sweet potato wedges, couscous, cauliflower and broccoli rice, tortilla wraps, fries, cornbread, mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, pitta breads, and quinoa.

Who eats chili without beans? ›

Beans in chili? Not if you're from Texas! While some people claim that chili can be made with a variety of ingredients—including beef and bean chili, chipotle chicken chili, or dare we say veggie chili—anyone from the Lone Star State would argue that traditional chili simply does not contain beans.

Why do Texans eat chili without beans? ›

If you go pretty much anywhere in Texas you will find chili ingredients simple and rarely differing: meat, sauce, peppers and spices. Carol Hanco*ck, President and CEO of the International Chili Society, told Texas Living there is a specific reason why Texas chili contains no beans: it's tradition.

Why do people make chili without beans? ›

No-beans side argue that beans distract your mouth from the beef and spices that chili is supposed to showcase. Texans in particular are likely to reject beans; in fact, the no-bean version is often referred to as Texas chili.

How do you thicken vegan chili? ›

You can use polenta, arrowroot powder (a gluten-free vegetable root flour), or masa harina as a thickening agent if you don't have cornmeal. In Latin American cooking, chefs use masa harina—a type of cornflour—to make tamales and tortillas.

Is Beyond meat good for you? ›

Beyond Steak is certified by the American Heart Association's Heart-Check Program as a heart-healthy food for meeting their exacting nutrition criteria, including being low in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol and sodium, and having over 10% of the Daily Value of essential nutrients.

What chilli sauce is vegan? ›

Many brands, including Cholula, Frank's RedHot, Tabasco, Tapatío, and most Sriracha brands are vegan.

What are some things you can add to chili? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

Does the South put beans in chili? ›

Most of the Southerners I know do put beans in their chili. I have lived in Arkansas, Louisiana and Georgia, and chili usually has beans in all those states. But, I was born and raised in Texas. A competition-style, Texas Red chili, is bean-less … and delicious … and I make bean-less chili periodically.

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