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This vegan chili recipe is hearty, satisfying, and full of complex flavors. Not only that, but it’s also high in plant-based protein, fiber, and heart-healthy fats. Serve it as-is or with vegan cornbread, green onions, and sour cream for the ultimate feast!

Vegan chili.
Vegan chili is a hearty and filling meal

❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Protein-packed: From tofu to beans, this recipe is packed with vegan protein sources. When people wonder, you can tell them “vegan chili” is where you get your protein!
  • Diet-friendly: Since this recipe is gluten-free, vegan, and easily made oil-free, no one needs to feel left out of the party.
  • Customizable: Swap the veggies, add more spice, or make it sweeter — the choice is yours with this highly customizable chili.
  • Great for meal prep: Make a double or triple batch and freeze them for quick and easy lunches or dinners all month long.

If you love vegan chili, you should check out our black bean soup, pinto bean soup, lentil soup, or fava bean soup.

🌶 Easy vegan chili

When it comes to chili, there’s no doubt in our minds that a vegan recipe can easily live up to meat-based versions.

Once the spices and seasonings are combined with the meaty textures of tofu crumbles and beans, you’ll be double-checking that someone didn’t slip some meat in by accident!

This recipe features fresh vegetables, sweet potatoes, tofu crumbles, and spices like cumin, chili powder, and paprika. The end result is layers of flavor and textures that are rich, complex, and soul-warming.

Vegan chili with toppings.
Top it with your favorite garnishes!

🌱 Is chili vegan?

Traditionally, chili contains ground meat and broth. While it’s common to find vegetarian options, it’s not often that you find a vegan version.

With just a few changes, you’ll be well on your way to a hearty variation made with plants only! Swap out the ground beef for homemade veggie ground, and use vegetable broth in place of meat-based broth.

Vegan chili ingredients.
Use fresh spices for the best flavor!

🛒 Ingredients & substitutions

  • Oil: To sauté the veggies, use vegetable oil like avocado or olive oil. For an oil-free version, sauté the vegetables in water or broth.
  • Onion, garlic: The necessary ingredients for an ultra-savory and hearty vegan chili. Make sure you have fresh onion and garlic for this one!
  • Vegetables: We used bell peppers, carrots, celery, sweet potatoes, and corn kernels. Feel free to add or swap out any of this list, but try to keep the measurements equivalent for a similar final result.
  • Vegetable broth: Adds depth of flavor to the base of the chili. Use vegetable broth or vegetable bouillon mixed with water.
  • Canned tomatoes: For bursts of juicy, zesty, and bright flavors throughout the vegan chili. You can also use whole peeled canned tomatoes and crush them as they cook.
  • Beans: We used a combination of red chili beans and black beans, but pinto beans, navy beans, kidney beans, bayo beans, or even chickpeas would all taste great!
  • Coconut sugar: To round out the spiciness and acidity, we prefer coconut sugar since it’s complex in flavor. Organic brown sugar, maple syrup, or agave also work.
  • Spices: Ancho chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin all impart smoky, earthy, and complex notes that make this chili so delicious! Add salt and pepper for good measure.
  • Cocoa powder: The secret to creating a full-bodied chili is cocoa powder! A little goes a long way, but it’s an absolute necessity! Use natural unsweetened cocoa or Dutch-processed for an even deeper flavor.
  • Lime juice: Adds brightness to the chili, preventing it from feeling too heavy. Make sure it is freshly-squeezed lime juice.
  • Vegan ground beef: For the “meat” component. We prefer the umami flavor and meaty texture of homemade tofu crumbles, but store-bought vegan ground beef or sausages would also work instead.

For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.

📝 How to make vegan chili

Step 1: Sauté the veggies

Sauté the onion and garlic in oil until the onions are translucent. Next, add the chopped bell peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, and celery. Give the mixture a good stir.

Chopped Vegetables In A Pot.
Add chopped veggies to your pot

Step 2: Add the seasonings

Mix in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cocoa powder, and coconut sugar. Cook everything until it’s fragrant. Don’t forget to stir it fairly constantly.

Chopped Vegetables and Spices In A Pot.
Add fresh spices

Step 3: Simmer the chili

Pour in the canned tomatoes and their juices, beans, vegetable broth, and corn. Simmer the chili with a lid on for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer.

Vegan chili.
Simmer it low and slow

Step 4: Mash it partially

For a fuller consistency, mash the vegetables gently by hand in the pot. Or, remove 2 cups of chili, blend it, then add it back into the pot. Give everything a stir until the blended mixture is incorporated.

Vegan chili.
Serve vegan chili with lots of toppings

Step 5: Add veggie crumbles

Lastly, mix in vegan ground beef (homemade or store-bought) and lime juice. Cook for another few minutes, adjusting seasonings as needed. Happy eating!

If you have questions about this vegan chili recipe, check out our FAQs or leave a comment down below!

🧀 The best toppings for chili

Right when you thought this vegan chili couldn’t get any better, we whip out the toppings! Here are our favorites to make your bowl feel extra comforting and flavorful:

🍞 What to serve alongside vegan chili

To make a heartier meal, try serving one of these carb-rich recipes on the side (they’re perfect for mopping up extra vegan chili):

🌡️ Storage & reheating

Just like other stews or curries, we find next-day chili tastes even better! If you have leftover vegan chili, follow these storage tips:

  • Fridge: Store in an airtight container and it will last in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
  • Freezer: Transfer the chili to freezer-safe bags or containers once completely cooled. It will last for up to 3 months this way. We suggest storing them in meal-prep containers for easier reheating.
  • Reheating: If frozen, let the chili thaw overnight in your fridge. Fill a pot with leftover vegan chili, and it heat on medium until warmed through, about 5-10 minutes.
Vegan chili.
Don’t forget to save some for later!

♻️ Variations

  • Vegetables: Use any vegetables you prefer or have on hand in this recipe. If you don’t have everything listed in the recipe card or need to use up ingredients, chili is the answer!
  • Beans: Red beans and black beans are our go-to, but you can make this recipe with kidney beans, chickpeas, navy beans, Cannellini beans, or even green or brown lentils.
  • Meat: For an even meatier chili, lower the beans and increase the tofu crumbles (or any of your favorite plant-based beef crumbles).
  • Spicy: If you’re looking to turn up the heat, add more cayenne pepper. You can also throw in some sliced jalapeño, serrano, or habanero peppers.
  • Whole peppers: Transform the flavors of the chili by experimenting with different dried chiles such as ancho, guajillo, arbol, chipotle meco, or morita.

🧑‍🍳 Top tips

  • Fresh beans: Making chili with fresh beans makes a huge difference in texture and flavor. We recommend cooking beans from dry before adding them to the chili.
  • Fresh spices: Spices are what impart the majority of flavor in this recipe, so make sure they’re fresh or have been stored correctly. Better yet, toast and grind whole chile peppers yourself!
  • Simmer low and slow: Give the flavors time to meld together by gently simmering the chili low and slow. As a bonus, it tastes even better the next day!
  • Taste and adjust: Making chili is an art, so you really need to taste and adjust the seasonings to suit your taste.

💬 FAQ

What can I use in chili instead of meat?

There are an endless number of ingredients you can use to replace meat in chili. In this recipe, we use tofu crumbles to emulate ground beef. However, you can use Beyond Meat or other faux meat brands. If you don’t like faux meat, stick to beans! They lend a meaty texture themselves.

How do you make vegan chili less spicy?

If your chili tastes too spicy, there’s an easy fix. Increase the amount of coconut sugar, maple syrup, or agave to balance the flavors out again.

What is the secret to a good chili?

Our secret ingredient in a complex and rich-tasting chili is cocoa powder. Not only does it lend deep flavors, but it adds a full-bodied complexity that can’t be beaten!

🍴 More comforting soups and stews

If you enjoyed this vegan chili recipe, be sure to check out some more comforting soups and stews like these: 

Vegan chili.

Best Ever Vegan Chili

Mitch and Justine
This vegan chili recipe is hearty, satisfying, and full of complex flavors. Serve it with vegan cornbread and sour cream for the ultimate feast!
5 from 38 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Gluten-Free, Vegan
Servings 6 servings
Calories 348 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 medium yellow or red onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium red or green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed into ½-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons ancho chilli powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin powder
  • ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
  • 1 28 fluid-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 ½ cups cooked red chili beans
  • 1 ½ cups cooked black beans
  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 recipe vegan ground beef

For serving optional

Instructions
 

  • First, prepare a recipe of vegan ground beef, or use store-bought veggie ground.
  • In the meantime, heat the avocado oil in a large stockpot over medium. Add in the chopped onion and garlic and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.
  • Add the chopped bell peppers, carrots, celery, and sweet potatoes. Stir to combine.
  • Mix in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cocoa powder, and coconut sugar. Cook until fragrant while stirring constantly, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Pour in the canned tomatoes and their juices, black beans, red beans, corn, and vegetable broth. Stir everything until well combined, then bring the mixture to a low boil.
  • Lower the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer.
  • Once the vegetables are softened, mash them slightly by hand in the pot, or remove 2 cups of chili and blend it in a food processor or blender. Once blended, add it back into the pot and stir.
  • Lastly, mix in the cooked vegan ground beef and lime juice. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, taste, and add salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the other seasonings as needed.
  • Serve your vegan chili with any of the following: quinoa, green onions, cilantro, cashew cream, coconut yogurt, plant-based cheese shreds, or lime wedges. Happy eating!

Notes

  • Fresh beans: Making chili with fresh beans makes a huge difference in texture and flavor. We recommend cooking beans from dry before adding them to the chili.
  • Fresh spices: Spices are what impart the majority of flavor in this recipe, so make sure they’re fresh or have been stored correctly. Better yet, toast and grind whole chile peppers yourself!
  • Simmer low and slow: Give the flavors time to meld together by gently simmering the chili low and slow. As a bonus, it tastes even better the next day!
  • Taste and adjust: Making chili is an art, so you really need to taste and adjust the seasonings to suit your taste.
  • Nutritional information is a rough estimate and should not be taken as health advice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 348kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 8.1g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 350mg | Potassium: 570mg | Fiber: 10g | Vitamin A: 3090IU | Vitamin C: 82mg | Calcium: 240mg | Iron: 2.16mg
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Note: We’ve updated this post to include new information and helpful tips about the recipe.

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Recipe Rating




18 Comments

  1. My wife loved the recipe so I must Thank You! The cocoa addition was awesome. I also added cinnamon but I hopped over any soy products.

  2. 5 stars
    Never had vegan chilli before, but definitely have to try it! Thank you for the wonderful recipe!

  3. 5 stars
    this is such a great and comforting vegan chilli recipe! I love the flavour of the spices you include and the fresh lime. Great for meal prep too. 🙂

  4. 5 stars
    The spices in this recipe are just perfect and everyone loved it! I can’t wait make this again.

  5. 5 stars
    What a delicious, flavourful and hearty dish. We are always looking for new ways to enjoy beans and this recipe is an absolute winner!

  6. 5 stars
    this recipe was great. and it really wasn’t that difficult to make at all!! i used an immersion blender in my pot instead of separating out a few cups to save a mess and it worked out really well! i also put lentils and quinoa in it for added protein. i paired my meal with vegan cheese and a starting green goddess salad. delish!!