It’s freezing cold outside, and has been for days. All I want to eat is cozy comfort food like this vegetarian chili recipe. It’s my favorite, and leftovers taste even better the next day.
This chili is perfect for watching football games with a crowd, since it’s a hearty meatless option that carnivores will enjoy. Plus, it can be vegan and gluten free if you choose your toppings carefully. This chili will satisfy everyone.
I originally published this recipe four years ago. Since then, it’s become your favorite chili recipe as well (four-hundred reviews and counting).
I’ve cheered when you’ve told me that it won your chili competition, and love hearing that it’s become a staple recipe in your kitchen. Hooray!
How to Make the Best Vegetarian Chili
While the ingredients in this chili recipe are super basic, the flavor is anything but. Simple ingredients can taste exceptional when they start off with aromatics like onion, carrot, celery and garlic.
I added traditional chili spices and some smoked paprika for an extra-savory, smoky note. Canned beans and tomatoes contribute delicious plant-based protein and heft.
Blending a small portion of the chili makes it look and taste like a chili that has been cooking all morning long, but it only needs about 30 minutes of simmering. That’s a little trick that I learned from my lentil soup, which is another cozy option for cold days.
Finishing off the chili with a little splash of sherry vinegar (or lime juice) and fresh cilantro makes it taste vibrant and fresh. The vinegar offers a little acidity and complexity, and it makes all the difference.
Watch how to make vegetarian chili
Chili Toppings
This chili is dairy free and vegan as written. You can keep it that way be choosing vegan toppings like sliced avocado and tortilla chips.
Here’s a full list of options:
- Grated cheddar cheese
- Sour cream or crème fraîche
- Sliced or diced avocado
- Tortilla chips (crumbled if desired)
- Additional cilantro
- Lime wedges
Leftover Chili?
This chili makes great leftovers that keep well for four days in the refrigerator. Reheat your chili in a bowl and it’s good to go.
You can also serve this chili as a protein-rich topping on nachos, baked potatoes or oven-baked fries. Stuff your burritos or quesadillas with chili. Why not?
Please let me know how this chili turns out for you in the comments! I always love to hear from you.
Stay warm out there, and if you love this hearty soup, be sure to check out the hearty soup recipes in my cookbook.
PrintHomemade Vegetarian Chili
- Author: Cookie and Kate
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Chili
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
The smoky, complex flavor of this simple vegetarian chili comes from basic pantry ingredients, vegetables and spices! It makes great leftovers, too. Recipe yields 4 large or 6 moderate servings of chili.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium red onion, chopped
- 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 medium carrots, chopped
- 2 ribs celery, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder*
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika*
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 large can (28 ounces) or 2 small cans (15 ounces each) diced tomatoes**, with their juices
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups vegetable broth or water
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnishing
- 1 to 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar or lime juice, to taste
- Garnishes: chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, tortilla chips, sour cream or crème fraîche, grated cheddar cheese, etc.
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, warm the olive oil until shimmering. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, carrot, celery and ¼ teaspoon of the salt. Stir to combine and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the onion is translucent, about 7 to 10 minutes.
- Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika and oregano. Cook until fragrant while stirring constantly, about 1 minute.
- Add the diced tomatoes and their juices, the drained black beans and pinto beans, vegetable broth and bay leaf. Stir to combine and let the mixture come to a simmer. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally and reducing heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer, for 30 minutes.
- Remove the chili from the heat and discard the bay leaf. For the best texture and flavor, transfer 1 ½ cups of the chili to a blender, making sure to get some of the liquid portion. Securely fasten the lid and blend until smooth (watch out for hot steam), then pour the blended mixture back into the pot. (Or, you can blend the chili briefly with an immersion blender, or mash the chili with a potato masher until it reaches a thicker, more chili-like consistency.)
- Add the chopped cilantro, stir to combine, and then mix in the vinegar, to taste. Add salt to taste, too—I added ¼ teaspoon more at this point. Divide the mixture into individual bowls and serve with garnishes of your choice. This chili will keep well in the refrigerator for about 4 days or you can freeze it for longer-term storage.
Notes
Recipes consulted during the making of this recipe: vegetarian chili with winter vegetables (The New York Times), vegetarian chili (Saveur) and winter vegetable chili (Food and Wine).
Make it vegan/dairy free: This chili recipe is vegan as written. Just be sure to choose vegan/dairy free toppings, such as avocado and tortilla chips.
If you love this recipe: You’ll also love my butternut squash chipotle chili and sweet potato chili. You might also enjoy my hearty lentil soup and black bean soup.
*Spice note: If you are sensitive to spice or using particularly potent spices (I hear that chili powder purchased outside of the U.S. can be very hot), you might want to scale back on the spice here. Start with half of the amounts listed and add more to taste. That said, I enjoy spicy food and found this chili to be well-balanced as written.
**Canned tomatoes note: I recommend Muir Glen brand—they have the best flavor and their cans are BPA-free!
Jan
I have been trying to cook less meat and more veggies. This was fabulous! Don’t get me wrong, I still love my meaty Silver Palate chili recipe, but this recipe just might have put that in 2nd place. Flavors are wonderful and love the addition of vinegar. Thank you for a great recipe.
Kate
You’re welcome, Jan!
Browntrees1
Wow! This recipe was A1!! Adding the spices before the diced tomatoes & allowing the spices to toast a bit & release oils is what brings out the flavors of the spices.
I doubled the recipe & modified it a bit to fit my tatse. For dietary purposes I subbed the carrots with mushrooms & omitted the vinegar. I also used 2 cans of Organic Dark Red Kidney beans & 1 can of Black Beans (rinsed). Lastly, I used tomato sauce with 2 heaping tsp of Vegetable base in place of the veggie broth. The flavors were fantastic…and the kitchen smelled absolutely divine!! This recipe is defintely a keeper!
Kate
Thanks for sharing your variation!
Michelle
I’m an enthusiastic carnivore and have to admit I was skeptical about this. Made it because a vegan is coming to visit. Wow! I was surprised at how delicious it is.
Lisa Mills
The only thing I substituted was a can of red kidney beans for one of the cans of black beans (personal choice). Otherwise I followed your recipe to the letter. I served it with tostito chips, sour cream, and shredded sharp cheddar cheese. This is by far the best veggie chili I have ever had! Definitely a keeper! Thanks for sharing. :-))
Kate
Great to hear, Lisa!
Cindy
I’ve made several vegetarian chilis and this is, by far, the best. My son-in-law, who will not eat leftovers, ate this chili for two days afterward!
Kate
I’m glad you love this one, Cindy!
Pammy Ashenden
I’ve made this tecipe twice now. For our family including two young, fairly picky kids and they LOVE it! Served with a jacket potato and vegan sour cream and cheese, absolutely delightful.
Kate
I’m so glad you loved it, Pammy! :)
Kathleen R Yothers
I made the Homemade Vegetarian Chili. Very good. My only complaint is how long it took to chop up all the ingredients.
I have a favorite chili recipe which uses ground beef and was looking for a vegetarian recipe. Nice alternative.
Kate
Thanks for sharing, Kathleen!
Janice Freeman
Thank you for the recipe, my daughter is absolutely in love with this. It’s nice to find new recipes since my daughter turned vegetarian. I will be checking out different ones as well. Thanks again
Janice
Mary
Hi!
I found your website just a few days ago and I already prepared this recipe and another one, both were flawless and my family love them.
For this one I prepared everything from scratch black beans, kidney beans and also the tomatoes and as I already said it was great.
Congrats and thanks for sharing!
Hayley
The other Chili on your website, with sweet potatoes, was previously my favourite vegan Chili. This is my new favourite! I made it almost exactly as written but I used 1 can of kidney beans instead of 2 cans black. I love all the chopped veggies and extra beans. My favourite way to eat this is with a side of cornbread – I’d love to see a healthier and/or refined sugar free cornbread recipe from you sometime! Love this one Kate :)
Kate
I’m glad you found a new favorite! They are both great ones.
Scott Sullivan
Delicious! I usually add lots of veg to to my beef chilli anyway (carrots, celery, beans, sweet corn etc.) and have been looking for a decent vegi chilli recipe for a while that doesn’t use a meat substitute. Didn’t follow the recipe to the letter though – used 1 tin of kidney beans and 2 tins of mixed beans (as I already had them in the cupboard) and also added a sweet potato and some sweet corn. I’m an avid carnivore and was sceptical I would enjoy this as much as a beef chilli – but I was pleasantly surprised. Kids loved it too. Will definately be cooking it again – although I may fry off the sweet potato in the spices first next time (as per the link to the other recipe). Blending up a portion was also a great tip and really improved the texture. Recipe goes a long way too – loads of leftovers for freezing!
Kate
This one is a hit for the entire family, Scott! This one freezes well, which I love!
Mark
I made this and it came out great! I imagine there would be a tiny more flavor with vege broth but I had no issue with just water. threw in some corn just to fill it out some more.
Kate
Thanks for sharing, Mark!
Alex Greig
Such a great recipe. I make it then serve it as nachos, then the next night with brown rice and then finally in quesadillas. My meat-lover husband likes it and my baby girl adores it.
Kate
Wonderful, Alex! Thanks for your review.
Maria
Thanks for sharing, it is been a pleasure to use your recipes, and it is delicious!!!
Kate
You’re welcome, Maria. I appreciate your review.
Jenna
Loved it! Made it exactly as written (except I grabbed crushed tomatoes). Thanks!
Kate
You’re welcome, Jenna!
Jessica
Best chili I’ve ever made! I’m so excited. I used kidney beans, lentils and quinoa instead of the two can of black beans (just because I didn’t have the right ingredients). I also added a little bit of brown sugar and some mustard greens. This is so yummy! Thank you for sharing!!
Kate
You’re welcome, Jessica!
Molly
Amazing! I can’t stop serving this recipe. Thanks so very much.
Kate
I love to hear that! Thanks for taking the time to review, Molly.
Carol Tennant
I made this yesterday for dinner my son and daughter-in-law who don’t eat meat. I’ve always eaten my chili with beef in it. When I was making it, it smelled delicious. I think the spices were an excellent mix for this chili. I didn’t have any cilantro, so didn’t use it. But I’ll pick some up to use with the leftovers. Anyway, it was delicious. And they do go great with tortilla chips, avocado and a bit of shredded cheese. That was all the adds I had and used them. I would definitely make this again and use the suggestion on a baked potato or even fries.
Kate
Thanks for sharing, Carol!
Robert
I don’t know if I got an unusually large celery stalk or not but all we could taste in this chili was celery. Any other flavor was overpowered by the taste of celery. Disappointing.
Kate
I’m sorry you didn’t love it. You can always adjust this to your tastes next time. Thanks for your feedback!
Bayleigh Schade
Looks and tastes amazing!!! Finally something our whole family can eat:)
Kate
Thank you for your review, Bayleigh!
Nikki
Can I make this in a crock pot? Or is a regular pot on the stove better?
Kate
I prefer stove top, but I believe others have made it in a crock pot with success. I recommend sauteing everything as directed still. It helps with the overall flavor.
Mandy B
I haven’t been motivated to comment on online recipes before but this was just amazing. Thank you for sharing. We made half the quantity as it was for two. I think that whizzing a quantity before adding back to the pot totally enhances the texture and makes the dish. Spices were spot on thanks again!
Kate
I’m so happy you did, Mandy! Thanks for sharing you loved this recipe.
Karen
How are tortilla chips vegan?
Kate
This recipe doesn’t require tortilla chips. However, most tortilla chips are just corn with a combination of oil, salt, etc.
Sharon Walters
What a sweet-looking girl and puppy dog. My son and his wife are Christian Orthodox as we are and the church is always fasting. My daughter-in-law has gone through some troubled waters with breast cancer and along with fasting and medical procedures I was looking for a vegetarian chili for them for supper tomorrow. This recipe is just the ticket and I thank you for it may God bless you
Kate
Hi Sharon, I’m sorry to hear about your family troubles. I hope this soup can provide some comfort!
Alison Dennis
This is a very adaptable recipe to which you can add even more vegetables, and ground beef or small cubes of tofu. For a double batch I add 1 sweet potatoe cubed, chopped kale leaves of a whole bunch, 1 zucchini, 1 pkg mushrooms. Even with all these additions, the spices still add some heat. I also like to make one can of beans the refried type to thicken the chile. Yes it’s a lot of work to get all the vegetables ready so l try to chop some the night before I’m going to make the chile. Great recipe – a standard now at my place. Thank you!
Kate
Thank you for your review, Alison!
Marcia
This really is the best, thank you
Kate
You’re welcome, Marcia!
Linda Rocco
First time I made was July 2,2019 it was a hit. I personally picked this recipe because i liked the choice of vegetables . And the the taste with the mixed spices was amazing! It was a hit and all loved it. Thank you for sharing
Kate
You’re welcome! Thanks for letting me know what you thought, Linda!
Christina
This was a hit at a barbecue recently! Even my picky meat-loving boyfriend liked it (though I refrained from adding the carrots and celery). Delicious. Definitely a keeper!
Kate
That’s great! Thanks for sharing, Christina.
Meera
I’ve commented here before because I love this recipe, but I wanted to add that I made it again, this time in an Instant Pot. For anyone interested, I sautéed in the Instant Pot on low for steps 1-3. After adding the tomatoes, beans and broth, I sealed and cooked it at high pressure for 8 minutes, then did a quick release after 10 minutes. I followed the remaining steps as written!! Awesome recipe!
Kate
I’m so happy you love it! Thanks for sharing about your Instant Pot experience!
David
This is a terrific recipe. My vegetarian daughter always makes it home for chili night :)
Kate
That sounds fun! Thank you for sharing, David.
michelle
This is really delicious, I don’t miss the meat whatsoever. It is easily adaptable depending on what you have in; I’ve used tinned mixed beans, kidney beans, sweetcorn and even bulked it out further with lentils and chickpeas. I make a big pan and it’s a quick and easy lunch or dinner with whichever carbs and toppings you choose. It also freezes beautifully x
Kate
Thank you for your review, Michelle!
Michelle
I’m in Australia and our ground chilli is HOT so I used half the amount in the recipe per your note and it was perfect. I also added a touch of Worcestershire sauce to deepen the smoky, umami flavour (even though now the recipe is no longer vegetarian technically). Will be serving this over jacket potatoes topped with a bit of cheese for a warming winter dinner. Thank you!
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Michelle!
Megan
Ahh thanks for posting, Michelle – I’m in Australia too and was scrolling through the comments just hoping to find this precise info from a local – I’ll be making this in the next few days :-)
Sophie
This chilli was so so tasty…it definitely packs a punch but i like it spicy so great for me,but you’re definitely right about the chilli powder,i live in the UK and bought it from my local market and it’s so hot! The blending a small amount of it was a great tip,it gave it a lovely thickness..i was also feeling a bit decadent so added a couple of squares of 85% dark chocolate and a teaspoon of honey halfway through the cooking…will definitely make again! Really enjoying trying out your recipes Kate!
Kate
I appreciate your review, Sophie!
Shannon
This is hands down the best chilli recipe ever! I love to add corn and jalapeños to really take it to the next level!
Kate
Thank you for your review, Shannon!
Kate
BEST CHILI EVER!!!! I made it twice this week!
Kate
Great to hear, Kate!
Karen
I made this last night for a big group. It was amazing. I made it in my crockpot and I just threw everything in so I needed to make some modifications- no oil and only 1/2 cup of water. I used red wine vinegar and used an immersion blender to thicken it up as suggested. It was really a hit. I also served it with cheddar cheese and crushed up tortilla chips! I would put some crushed red pepper in next time or some hot sauce for a little spice if it was just for our family. I didn’t want to make it spicy for a group. Excellent recipe with great flavor. Thanks Kate!
Kate
Happy to hear that, Karen! Thank you for your review.
Vickie
This is the best Veggie Chilli i’ve ever made! The flavour is amazing. Thanks for the recipe.
Kate
You’re welcome, Vickie!
James
Great recipe. Take the advice and only add half the chilli unless you’re u want it mouth burning hot. I added about 1 1/2 ts but 1 would have been fine. Didn’t think it needed all the salt in the recipe. The salt in the veggie stock was more than enough. The lime juice really finished it off. Love it
Kate
You’re very welcome! It can be intense for some. :)
Staci Mase
This is my go to chili recipe. I have made it so many times and my entire family including my picky kids love it! I have your cookbook and love every recipe I try. It is my go to Christmas gift for family and girlfriends who also love to cook. Tonight I used an immersion blender to thicken it up a bit and disguise the diced tomatoes. Thanks for a great recipe!
Kate
That’s great, Staci! Thank you for sharing.
alice
Hi Kate! I hope you’re having a wonderful day. Just tried this recipe and wow it was amazing! super excited to try some more (:
Kate
I’m happy to hear it, Alice!
Maria
Delicious! How many calories per serving?
Kate
Hi Maria! The nutritional information is below the notes section of the recipe. Make sure you allow pop-ups as this is a plug-in on my blog.
Sedat
Just wow. So glad that Google brought me here. Made the chilly today and is was so much tastier than I expected. Not missing the meat at all! My gf was super impressed as well. Thanks a lot for sharing the recipe!
Cheers from Australia…
(Ended up using Turkish “Pul Biber” as chilly powder and added a bit of Bulgarian feta as topping.)
Kate
I’m happy Google brought you here too. Thanks for your review, Sedat!
Blanj
I’ve always disliked chilli, but this is revolutionary! My kids generally hate food unless its main ingredient is sugar, but they also loved this. I honestly cant give higher praise than that.
Kate
I’m glad this was a hit with everyone!
Ann Jacks
This recipe was delicious. Thank you.
Kate
Thank you for your review, Ann!
Vero
Seriously nobody but nobody mentioning the upset stomach afterwards??? My boyfriend had to stop eating how much he was farting.
But anyways, thank you for this recipe, it was delicious, just next time I will put way less beans :D :D :D
Kate
Oh no! Tolerance to beans differs for everyone and the amount your eat regularly.
traci
This chili is so good. The secret to your success here is the blending of 1 1/2 cups to give it the chili texture that many vegetarian chilis are lacking. I do like to cook the canned tomatoes after the veggies are sautéed for about 10 minutes so that they start to break down. That’s really my only stray from your delicious recipe.
Kate
I agree! Blending it key. Thanks for sharing, Traci.
Dina
Your recipes are so delicious! I have got this one simmering as we speak, and it smells like heaven. One question though: 2 cups of water seemed like too little. I added a bit more because mine was already so thick… so you simmer it for 30 minutes uncovered or covered? Thanks so much!
Kate
I’m glad you are enjoying them so much, Dina! This is a thicker soup. If you want it with more liquid, feel free to add more.
Mary Fee
Turned out great! I cut down on the bell pepper because of my husband’s sensitivity. I also used cans of black beans, red beans, and pinto beans. This will be a favourite forever.
Kate
Thanks for your review, Mary!
Eliana
I didn’t know how to cook black beans until this recipe came along. Simple, delicious and ideal for shabbat! I cooked loads and froze some portions for the weeks ahead. Will definitely be checking out this site again for recipe inspiration. Thank you and greetings from Israel <3 Oops forgot to vote – obviously 5 stars!
Kate
That’s great to hear, Eliana! Thank you for your review.
Sophia
I substituted fire roasted diced tomatoes instead of plain (because that’s what was in my kitchen), but it turned out great!
eli
hi,
i wonder how big a heresy would it be to add zucchini to the recipe?
also, i added some chipotle peppers for a bit of a kick and it takes to a different level!!!
Lorel
Overall good base recipe but following this recipe is a bit bland and flat definitely needs more sweetness spice and flavor…I have had alot of chili so I’m a bit picky though…I added about 1/3 c or 1/2 c homemade barbeque sauce more smoked paprika, yellow squash instead of carrot+celery, a chopped jalepeno, cinnamon, cayenne , a tbsp of coconut nectar (rich with sweetness like molasses) and a tbsp of cocoa, +tvp to suck up the extra liquids and give it some chewy bits and this ended up being amazingly delcious…one of the best vegan chilis I’ve had. :)
Andrea
Can this be done in a slow cooker?
Arati Philipose
Thank you for your wonderful recipe. It helps me eat more vegetables and plant protein.
Donna Hoague
I followed pretty much everything except did let it cook for 3 hours before serving and didn’t puree any and it turned out to be the best chili I ever made! The smoked paprika gave it a wonderful note and richness. I served it with toppings for extra specialness but it stands alone just fine.This is such a warm and filling meal-so satisfying in so many ways.
Karen
This is a great recipe! I only had a small amount of kidney beans on hand, so I used those and added leftover diced sweet potato and red lentils for bulk. I think zucchini could be a good addition as well. It’s a hearty dish!
Michelle
I make this every two weeks or so, and always keep a stash in the freezer. It’s great over a baked potato with guacamole. I also like adding chipotle chilli into the spice mix. Honestly love it so much, my favourite vegan recipe by a mile and so easy and cheap to make.
Kate
Great to hear, Michelle!
Michelle
Oops, forgot to rate it! 5 stars!
Kate
Thank you, Michelle!
Christa
Wow, absolutely delicious! Like others, I also subbed one can of kidney beans for one of the cans of black beans (personal preference). I was worried it might be too spicy for me as I forgot to reduce the amount of chili powder to start, but fortunately it turned out “just right”. Thanks for another great recipe!
Lori
This chili was awesome!! Thank you!
Angela
Perfect chili. I’ve tried many recipes and finally found a keeper with this one. Used a bit less spice due to sensitive palates in my family, but we all love it. Mashed it with a bean mashed after cooled and it was a great consistency.
Kate
Hi Kate. Can you use fresh tomatoes in this recipe? I’m living in Bali, and tinned tomatoes are extortionate, whereas fresh are cheap.
Elaine Clark
This was a great combination of ingredients. You were right about blending the 1 1/2 cups being key. It made a big difference. As one of the commenters suggested, I put a can of tomato sauce in with some Vegetarian paste instead of broth. This was delicious and will now be our go to chili recipe. My husband had two big bowls and was raving about it. Thank you!!!
Rosemary
Great chili recipe. This is the 2nd time I’ve made it. No changes. I love that it freezes well as I am the only vegan in a house of 2. I’ve served this in a bowl with toppings and cashew cream as well as on a salad of greens and as a baked sweet potato topping. Love the versatility. This will definitely be a regular vegan meal around here. Thank you so much for sharing your creativity and website.
Viv
Did anyone find it to taste like bolognese saus? The celery and carrots, together with the oregano I think?
Kate
That’s interesting! If you don’t love the oregano, you can leave it out.
jasmine
This is absolutely delicious and helped get me through college. Affordable to make, and pleased all my friends and roommate who were vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, kept kosher, and had a million food allergies. Thank you!
Annette
Really happy with this recipe, made exactly as you said with the addition of butternut squash and some mushrooms and it was delicious.
Thanks for sharing!
Heather NYC
Definitely the best chili I have ever had. Loved all the veggies in this, and seasoning was perfect (I skimped a very little on some o the chili and regretted doing so afterward). Glad I tried this. On to the sweet potato chili next! We made ours vegan of course and added avocado and tortilla chips.
Crystal
I made this chili for a weekend camping trip and it was such a big hit!!! It was delicious! Thanks for the recipe. It’s nippy this weekend so I’m making it again
Danielle
HI, fairly inexperienced cook here. I made the chili but it’s rather liquidy. I’m not serving it for several hours. Is there anything I can do to thicken it up.
Thanks,
Danielle
Kate
Did you blend any of it? How did it end up?
Nina Rogoff
This really is The Best Vegetarian Chili, Kate! Thank you very much for sharing the recipe! I made a double batch tonight so I could freeze some. It’s quick and easy…my two favorite words in cooking! I doubled everything except the chili powder and cumin. For those I used 1 1/2 the quantity you suggested as not everyone in my family likes it spicier. It was the perfect blend. We topped it with a little shredded cheese. Absolutely delicious, very filling and economical. Thanks for mentioning Muir Glen! I had never noticed that brand but found it and decided to try it. I just realized that I left the Cilantro sitting on the counter! Oops! and, I forgot to add the vinegar. I’ll have to add those in when we have leftovers. :)
Kate
You’re very welcome, Nina! I’m glad you were able to make this soup work for the varying spice tastes. :)
Rebecca V
Have you ever tried this in a slow cooker?
Kate
I haven’t, but I know others have with luck!
Rebecca
Thank you so much for this recipe! I loved it and my 11 year old son won’t stop bugging me to make it again! This will definitely be a double batch, make sure I have stocked in the freezer type of recipe!!
Julia
Good recipe, very filling. I used pinto beans, black beans, and chick peas. Loved all the vegetables in this! I wish there was a little more spicy, but like the flavor from the balsamic. I put it over brown rice. Thanks for the recipe! Hoping to try your butternut squash and black bean chili next.
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Julia!
Holly Johnson
How can I add tofu to your chili?
Kate
You could always add it to the top per serving, if you like.
Ayla
This recipe was a big hit, I added potatoes and mushrooms to it as well as substituting some of the beans for kidney beans and chickpeas. I made a large batch for a party, some or the people who came are vegan and they were very grateful. Usually when they come over they have to bring their own food but this time they where able to take leftovers home. And everyone else loved it. 100% would recommend.
Samantha
This recipe is by far the best I’ve ever made and I normally don’t leave reviews like this but it was fantastic. I’ve added meatless ground beef and potatoes. I also added dairy free sour cream and cheese that I’ve purchase at Whole Foods since I’m a vegan!! Do NOT leave out the avocados, they make the dish soo much better and creamy as well with every bite.
Kate
I’m glad you loved it, Samantha!
Lizzie
My boyfriend and I are trying to cut back on our meat consumption and chili is one of my absolute favorite comfort foods. We made this last week and it was absolutely delicious! Flavors were incredible and I didn’t miss the beef at all. We look forward to trying lots of your recipes!
Katie
Hi, I have just recently found your website and love it. Thank you. I am going to make the Best Vegetarian Chile today, and am looking forward to it. Just a note, when you click the tab to double or triple the recipe, I don’t think that the number of large or small cans of tomatoes required translate properly. Maybe you can take a look.
Thanks, Katie
Kate
Hi Katie, welcome! I’m happy you are enjoying my blog. Thanks for the feedback and I will take a look to see what may be going on!
Colleen
I too have a question about the canned tomatoes, your recipe says 2 large cans or 2 small cans. I apologize if I’m just being thick. Thanks for the recipe!
Lisa
This was fabulous! My only problem was my peppers, carrots and celery didn’t get soft enough before my onions started getting too done. Easy fix for next time, and there will definitely be a next time.
Kate
Thanks for sharing your feedback, Lisa!
Stephen Snider
Hi
New to your site. Bought the book and can’t wait to try so many of the recipes. I do have one question… many of your recipes contain cilantro. I can’t stand cilantro. Sorry. Is there something I can substitute?
Many Thanks
Steve
Kate
Hi Stephen! Yes, lots of my recipes do have cilantro. It depends on the recipe. Sometimes if you want to leave it out you can, since you don’t like it you won’t miss it. Or, you can substitute parsley in some cases.
Stephen Snider
Thanks Kate! Good to know and thanks
Nick Rout
Cooked this tonight and it was good! Only one tin of black beans, and subbed with one red kidney.
No chilli powder so used chilli flakes – 1 1/2 tsp tasted good, not burn your mouth hot.
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Nick!
Claire
This was SO GOOD. We followed the recipe exactly and it turned out great! A good vegan recipe that everyone will like:)
patricia muskovin
I have a good friend who is a vegetarian so I decided to make this recipe. It is now my favorite chili recipe. It is absolutely delicious! The only thing I did different was add .a 4 oz can of green chilies, just because I had it in my cupboard.
Elle Gianforte
Kate…
Our northern California weather suddenly turned rainy and cold yesterday, so it was the perfect night for chili. My only change to your recipe was the addition of 1 cup of frozen corn. The chili was nicely spicy and absolutely delicious. Thanks for making me a star at dinner!
Belly skritches to Cookie.
xo,
elle
MJ
Huge hit! Made this for our Sunday family dinner. The family consists of vegans and meat eaters, adults and children, 9 in all, and everyone loved it! I added 2 jalapeños and 1|3rd of a cup of red lentils. Everything else was exactly as the recipe called for (made the 2x size). The cooking aromas were wonderful. The chili was delicious. Next time I will send a picture. Thank you!
Jonathan
This is spot on as a replacement for meat-based chilli, without any of the soya/Quorn fake meat nonsense….
The biggest surprise for me is that my Wife, who’s quite fussy (a fact she’ll vehemently contest) and who doesn’t much like beans and pulses, went back for a second helping *and* scored the dish ten out of ten!
My very small variation to the recipe was to add a splash of red wine at step 1, and a sprinkling of Korean chilli flakes that I rather like.
I think the top tip from this recipe is to blend 1-2cups of the mixture towards the end – I wouldn’t have thought to do that and it really did make the overall texture perfect.
I think this is the first non-meat dish to have been accepted into our family recipe book.
Kate
Thanks for sharing, Jonathan!
Danette
I love this recipe and have made it a few times although I have made a couple of changes. I make it with way less broth. It’s too soupy for us when using the amount in the recipe so I use half or less and it’s more the consistency we look for in chili. I also add more salt to really enhance all the flavors and it makes a big difference in taste! Thanks for the recipe!
Laura
I haven’t made this in awhile, but today was a chilly, rainy day – so I wanted something that felt like fall. I was in the mood for a more plant-based dinner, and this was perfect – just as good as I remembered it. We did loaded baked potatoes tonight, which was a family pleaser.
Definitely using the leftovers for chili dogs later in the week when I get sick of chili…
Becca
Made this tonight and it was so good! Although I did do a few things differently.
I added: yellow zucchini, mushrooms, potato (to use up what I had on hand), some dijon mustard, some lime juice, some tomato paste to thicken, and yves Mexican ground round (plant based ground beef, which really gave it that authentic chili texture).
I also had a chili seasoning pack that I used, and instead of plain diced tomatoes, I used Rotel.
Merrilee Miller
I really liked this recipe! That was a great idea to blend a portion of it. Great flavor and texture. The cilantro and vinegar added a great bite! Thanks, for sharing!
M2C
I’m not a cook, just a recipe reader, and this was high flavor, perfect texture, absolutely the best chili I’ve ever eaten. Will make again and again
Marissa Verhoeff
My favourite veggie chilli! I also add one yam to it:)
Dawn
I’ve made this recipe 3 times over the past year and it always comes out perfect.
So delicious!
Dawn
I’ve made this recipe 3 times over the past year and it always comes out perfect.
So delicious!
Feyi
Come back to this recipe often, thanks C+K!
Kate
Wonderful!
Katie
I’m making this for dinner this week! Any way to make it in the crockpot?
Kate
I haven’t, but I know other readers have. I suggest checking out the other comments to see what readers suggest. I still highly recommend sauteing your veggies for best flavor.
Karen
First time I’ve made veg chilli, trying to get away from meat. Was surprised how lovely it was, used kidney beans and halved the recipe as there is only two of us. Will definitely be making it on a regular basis. Thankyou
Joshua
So happy that I tried this recipe as I’ve been meaning to for some time. Now that it’s officially fall, today seemed right. I used dried beans and cooked them in vegetable broth to enhance flavor. Added a chopped zucchini after the tomatoes and broth went in. Also added a cup of frozen sweet corn (although I aded after the dish stopped cooking). For whatever reason, it required four cups of broth rather than two. No big deal. I opted for fresh lime juice over vinegar and tripled the cilantro (I love cilantro). Additionally, I used avocado, extra cilantro (there’s so much in one bunch, why waste it?) and sour cream as garnishes. I also decided to thinly slice radishes and pop them in there. The entire dish is amazing and I will be making it on the reg from now on. Thanks for sharing, Kate.
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Joshua!
Charmian Beecham
I have just discovered your blog and all your delicious recipes. I have decided to try to give up meat so was searching the internet for inspirational recipes when I came across your blog. Your Vegetarian Chilli and Penang Curry with Crispy Tofu were out of this world. The recipes have so much flavour, and you don’t miss the meat. I have just ordered 3 copies of your Love Real Food cookbook and can’t wait to try all your recipes. Shame I live in Australia as it takes a little longer to receive them. Thank you Kate.
PS: I too have a rescue dog who is my companion, my best friend and such a huge part of my life.
Kate
I’m glad you found the blog! Thanks for sharing what recipes you love so far. I have new ones coming to the blog I hope you try!
Juliette
This is my absolute favourite veggie chilli recipe! I add some sweet potato and leeks to it too just for something a little extra. The idea to blend a portion of the chilli is also genius. Thank you for sharing such a delicious recipe! Love your website :)
Joyce Golden
Could not find any nutrition info for Homemade Vegetarian Chili
Kate
Hi Joyce! I apologize for the frustrations as we are working to resolve an issue. I do appreciate your understanding and patience.
Sydney
This was great! I did double the chili powder because that’s how I like my chili, but otherwise it was made as written.
Camille
Soooooo good! Such an easy recipe! I did everything as written except I substituted 1.5 cup sweet corn for one of the black bean cans. I used a hand mixer at the end to get a thicker texture. Thanks Katie for another great recipe :) will make again and again!