Cozy Winter Nights: Simple Vegan Chili Recipe That Warms Hearts

Cooking a delightful simple vegan chili brings comfort to hungry souls seeking hearty plant-based meals.

Beans, vegetables, and robust spices create a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Warm and satisfying, this recipe proves that meatless dishes can be incredibly filling and delicious.

No complicated techniques or exotic ingredients stand between you and a fantastic meal.

Nutritious and packed with protein, our chili delivers a punch of taste that will surprise and delight.

Seasonal produce and pantry staples merge into a one-pot wonder guaranteed to become your new favorite weeknight dinner.

You’ll want to ladle this goodness into bowls and share the plant-powered magic with everyone around your table.

Reasons to Love Simple Vegan Chili

• Simplify Meal Prep: This vegan chili recipe cuts down kitchen time with minimal chopping and straightforward cooking steps, perfect for busy home cooks seeking quick nutritious meals.
• Boost Nutritional Value: Packed with protein-rich beans and colorful vegetables, this chili delivers a healthy one-pot wonder that supports balanced eating without compromising taste.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows endless garnish options like avocado, cilantro, or vegan sour cream, making it adaptable for different preferences and dietary needs.
• Family-Friendly Comfort: Hearty, warming chili creates a universally loved dish that appeals to vegans and non-vegans alike, bringing everyone together around the dinner table with its rich, satisfying flavors.

Ingredients for Simple Vegan Chili

• Canned Beans: A protein-packed and convenient base for the chili.
• Diced Tomatoes: Provides a rich, tangy base and moisture for the chili.
• Bell Pepper: Adds a sweet and colorful vegetable component to the dish.
• Onion: Offers a foundational aromatic flavor to the chili.

• Chili Powder: Delivers classic chili warmth and depth of flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.
• Garlic: Brings a pungent and aromatic element to the recipe.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing vegetables and preventing sticking to the pot.

How to Prepare Simple Vegan Chili

Step 1: Prep Veggies and Beans

Grab your cutting board and knife. Chop the onion into small pieces.

Dice the bell pepper into bite-sized bits. Open the canned beans and give them a good rinse under cool water, then drain completely.

Step 2: Sizzle and Soften

Heat up a large pot over medium flame. Pour in some olive oil and let it warm up.

Toss in the chopped onions and cook until they turn soft and see-through, which takes about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and let it dance in the pot for another minute, releasing its amazing aroma.

Step 3: Combine Chili Ingredients

• Diced tomatoes with their juicy liquid
• Rinsed and drained beans
• Chopped bell peppers
• Chili powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything so it’s well mixed and gets to know each other.

Step 4: Simmer and Develop Flavors

Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, then turn down the heat to low. Let the chili simmer without a lid for 30 minutes.

Give it an occasional stir to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Step 5: Taste and Serve

Take a small taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.

Ladle the hot chili into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes like fresh cilantro, vegan sour cream, or sliced green onions.

Helpful Tips for Simple Vegan Chili

• Toast spices like chili powder briefly in the pot before adding other ingredients to enhance their aromatic qualities and release deeper, richer flavors.
• Substitute or add different beans such as black beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans to increase protein content and create interesting texture variations.
• Adjust heat by adding more or less chili powder, or include diced jalapeños for extra kick without overwhelming the dish's balanced taste.
• Keep chili at a low, gentle simmer to prevent burning and allow ingredients to meld together, creating a more harmonious and complex flavor profile.
• This chili tastes even better the next day, so consider making it in advance and reheating for more developed and concentrated flavors.

Variations to Try with Vegan Chili

• Protein Power Chili: Replace beans with cooked quinoa and lentils for a high-protein alternative.
• Spicy Southwest Chili: Add diced jalapeños, chipotle peppers, and smoked paprika for extra heat and depth.
• Gluten-Free Friendly Chili: Ensure all canned ingredients are certified gluten-free and use corn-based seasonings.
• Slow Cooker Version: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours for a hands-off approach.

Pairing Ideas for Vegan Chili

Refresh your palate with crisp white wines like Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc that balance the chili’s heat and complement its rich flavors.

Serve alongside cornbread or quinoa to add texture and absorb the robust sauce, creating a satisfying and balanced meal experience.

Sprinkle chopped cilantro, diced avocado, or a dollop of vegan sour cream to enhance the chili’s depth and provide contrasting cool, creamy elements.

Choose a hoppy IPA or amber ale that stands up to the chili’s spiciness and brings out the smoky, earthy undertones of the dish.

Proper Storage for Vegan Chili

• Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer chili to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Place chili in a microwave-safe dish. Cover and heat on medium power, stirring every 30 seconds until heated through. Add a splash of water if needed to prevent drying.
• Warm chili in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Add a little water or vegetable broth to maintain moisture and prevent sticking. Heat until steaming and thoroughly warmed.

FAQs

• Is this chili spicy?

The heat level depends on the chili powder you use. For mild chili, choose a mild chili powder. For more kick, add cayenne pepper or use a spicier chili powder blend.

• Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?

Yes, you can substitute canned tomatoes with 4-5 fresh diced tomatoes. Just make sure to add a bit more liquid since fresh tomatoes release less juice than canned.

• What protein sources work well in this vegan chili?

Besides beans, you can add plant-based protein like textured vegetable protein (TVP), chopped tempeh, or crumbled tofu to boost protein content.

Simple Vegan Chili Recipe For Everyone

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comfort meets compassion in this simple vegan chili recipe for everyone, delivering hearty warmth without animal products. Rich protein-packed beans and smoky spices create a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 medium onion
• 1 bell pepper

Spices and Seasonings:

• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Cooking Base:

• Olive oil

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Instructions

1. Finely dice onions and bell peppers, ensuring uniform cuts for even cooking and texture distribution.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium temperature, carefully sautéing onions until they become translucent and soft, approximately 4-5 minutes.
3. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 60 seconds, allowing the aromatic flavors to release without burning.
4. Incorporate drained beans, diced tomatoes with their juices, chopped bell peppers, chili powder, salt, and black pepper into the pot.
5. Thoroughly combine all ingredients, creating a harmonious blend of colors and textures.
6. Elevate the heat to generate a gentle boil, then immediately reduce to low, maintaining a steady simmer.
7. Allow the chili to develop its rich flavors by cooking uncovered for 25-35 minutes, stirring intermittently to prevent sticking.
8. Conduct a final taste test, adjusting seasonings to personal preference and ensuring a balanced flavor profile.
9. Serve piping hot, garnished with optional toppings like fresh herbs or plant-based alternatives for added complexity.

Notes

• Swap beans easily by using different varieties like black, kidney, or pinto beans for unique flavor profiles and nutrition boosts.
• Enhance protein content by adding plant-based meat alternatives or textured vegetable protein for extra heartiness.
• Control spice levels by gradually adding chili powder and tasting throughout cooking, allowing personalization for different heat preferences.
• Extend shelf life by storing chili in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freezing for future quick meals.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 195 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 3 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 11 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg