This vegetarian chili recipe is a family favorite everyone loves! It has the best flavor and is so easy to whip up.
When the air gets a certain chill, there’s a recipe we make on repeat: this Vegetarian Chili! In fact, we’ve made it so often for friends and family, they always request that we make “the chili!” It’s bursting with hearty, smoky flavor, with a savory tomato base loaded with two types of beans, corn, and quinoa. The best part is that it’s beyond simple to whip up: essentially a “dump and stir” recipe! Add cornbread and you’ve got a simple, comforting meal where no one will miss the meat.
Ingredients in this vegetarian chili recipe
Why make this vegetarian chili? Well, a great vegetarian chili goes beyond bean soup. It’s hard to replicate the heartiness of that signature flavor without using meat. But this recipe uses a combination of “secret” ingredients to bring a savory, salty umami: ketchup, mustard, and butter lend a richness and intensity to the flavor. Stirring in smoked paprika at the end adds an irresistible smokiness (it’s our secret weapon when it comes to plant-based dishes).
The recipe was originally inspired by open-fire cooking: we first made it in a pot over an open fire in our backyard! Because of that, it’s seriously easy to put together, a combination of great ingredients that bring massive flavor with little effort. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Onion and garlic
- Olive oil and butter
- Quinoa
- Beans
- Canned fire roasted tomatoes
- Corn
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Worcestershire sauce, vegan (or omit)
- Chili powder, oregano, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and salt
It’s all in the tomatoes
One other flavor secret to vegetarian chili? It’s all in the tomatoes! You can make this vegetarian chili recipe with any type of canned tomato, but the best option is fire roasted tomatoes. This type of tomato is roasted over an open flame, which infuses a sweet and smoky flavor to the tomatoes. They taste better than standard canned tomato, which can taste flat and bitter.
Can’t find fire roasted tomatoes? San Marzano tomatoes can work in a pinch: this Italian type of tomato has a sweeter flavor right out of the can too. Or, simply use the best canned tomatoes you can find.
Toppings for vegetarian chili
One of the best parts of a vegetarian chili recipe is loading it up with toppings! Once you’ve whipped up a big, steaming pot on the stovetop, assemble your toppings of choice. Here are a few of our favorite options:
- Shredded cheese: Try cheddar, Mexican blend or Monterrey Jack.
- Sour cream: it’s required, in our opinion! For vegan, use Cashew Cream or Vegan Queso.
- Green onion: Onion adds just the right savory flair.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds an herby nuance.
- Hot sauce: Try a Mexican hot sauce like Cholula.
- Crushed tortilla chips: Add a crunch with crushed tortilla chips.
- Roasted pepitas: Pumpkin seeds also add a salty crunch.
- Pickled onions: Make a jar of quick pickled onions in advance; they add bright color and tangy flavor to chili.
- Pickled peppers: Try pickled jalapeños for a kick!
Variation: make it vegan!
Want to make this vegetarian chili into a vegan chili? Simple use vegan butter or refined coconut oil in place of the butter. Either way, these ingredients add richness and fat, which is important in making a meatless chili taste satisfying. For the topping, use Cashew Cream instead of sour cream.
Sides to serve with chili
Turn this vegetarian chili recipe into a meal by adding a few simple side dishes! Cornbread is an obvious pair with this hearty stew, but there are lots of other options and ideas. Here are some sides to serve with chili:
- Add cornbread or corn muffins
- Pair with Mexican cornbread or vegan cornbread
- Add a green salad like Mexican-style chopped salad or kale Caesar salad
- Pair with fries or sweet potato fries
- Serve over a baked potato or baked sweet potato
Make ahead and storage info
This vegetarian chili works great as a make ahead recipe for meal prep. However, keep in mind that the chili becomes very thick when refrigerated, so reheat on the stovetop and stir in a little extra water, then taste and add additional salt if necessary until the flavor pops.
Leftovers store for up to 3 days refrigerated. They also freeze well: place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
This vegetarian chili recipe is…
Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Best Vegetarian Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ⅓ cup dry quinoa
- 1 cup water
- 1 or 2 15-ounce can black beans, drained*
- 1 15- ounce can kidney beans drained
- 2 28- ounce cans diced fire roasted tomatoes**
- 4 tablespoons salted butter or vegan butter
- 1 15- ounce can corn or 1 ½ cups frozen corn, drained
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce or omit
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons each chili powder and dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon each garlic powder and cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Dice the onion. Mince the garlic.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven***, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, until tender.
- Add all other ingredients except for the smoked paprika. Simmer for 25 minutes, then stir in the smoked paprika. Serve immediately with toppings of your choice. Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 3 days, or frozen for 3 months. Leftovers become very thick when refrigerated, so reheat on the stovetop and stir in a little extra water, then taste and add additional salt if necessary until the flavor pops.