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Quick Vegan Chili Recipe

With just a few simple steps and minimal prep work, you can have a steaming bowl of flavorful chili on the table in under an hour.

Equipment

Single Burner

Difficulty

Very Easy


Picture of the vegan chili recipe.

A perfect vegan ground beef recipe!


This chili recipe is a good vegan dinner idea that uses vegan ground beef combined with beans and a savory spice mix for a healthy weeknight meal. It goes together quickly using several pantry staples and can be on the table in less than an hour. A steaming bowl of chili for dinner is so comforting and heartwarming! Without the beer this chili recipe tastes exactly like my mom's.

This recipe has very little labor involved and also makes tasty leftovers.

You can use the leftovers for several other healthy dinner ideas! You can use it to make nacho bowls, or as a vegan taco filling, or to make loaded fries topped with veggies and vegan sour cream. Chili is often even more tasty the next day, so it makes an easy lunch idea for taking to work.



Substitutions


Substitution for vegan ground beef: You can leave the beef out and simply replace it with 2 more cups of beans.


Substitute for canned diced tomatoes: You can use 1 cup of chopped fresh tomatoes and 2 1/2 cups of plain tomato sauce.


Substitute for beer: You can use 1 1/2 cups of veggie broth instead.


Substitute for tomato paste: You can use tomato sauce or tomato puree instead.


What kind of beans should I use for this chili recipe? You can use pinto beans, kidney beans, or black beans for best results. Feel free to mix them! My mom used to always make it with half pinto beans and half kidney beans.


Money Saving Tips

My vegan ground beef recipe is cheaper than the store-bought versions!

You can leave the beef out altogether and substitute it with more beans.

You can leave the beer out and substitute it with 1 1/2 cups veggie broth instead.

Serve the chili over rice to help stretch it further for a cheaper meal.


Let's Begin:


Picture of the ingredients needed for the meatless chili.

Gather your ingredients.


Heat a soup pot over medium heat. Meanwhile, mince the onion.



Picture of onions being sauteed.

Add the 4 Tbs of oil and heat until glossy, then add the onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to turn translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Meanwhile measure 2 tsp chili powder, 2 tsp cumin, 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 1/2 sweet paprika, 1 tsp cayenne, 1/4 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp cocoa powder (optional) into a small bowl.



Picture of onions and ground beef substitute being cooked together.

Add the 2 cups of vegan ground beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the oil is absorbed, about 2-3 minutes.



Picture of onions and ground beef substitute being cooked together.

If you are using my ground beef recipe add 1/2 cup of water and 2 Tbs of soy sauce now, cooking until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 3-4 minutes.



Picture of the spice mix added to the onion and fake beef.

Add the small bowl of spices, and stir until evenly distributed and fragrant. About 30-45 seconds.



Picture of the beer and tomatoes being added with the pintos and fake beef mix.

Add the 3 1/2 cups beans (or two 14.5 oz cans) drained, 1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes, 1 bottle or can of a light beer or an extra 1 1/2 cup vegetable broth, 1 cup vegetable broth, and 3 oz tomato paste. Stir until combined.



Picture of all the ingredients in the pot, mixed up, and ready to simmer.

Bring to a boil, then cover and lower heat. Let simmer for 30 minutes. Stir every few minutes, being sure to scrape the bottom of the pan so nothing sticks and burns.



Picture of the chili after simmering for 30 minutes.

Taste and season with salt and pepper as necessary. Enjoy!



Final picture of the vegan chili in a bowl and served with crackers.

What can I serve with this chili recipe?

Lots of things are nice to top chili! Such as;

  • Sour Cream

  • French Fried Onions

  • Tomatoes

  • Green Onions

  • Diced Tomatoes

  • Cheese

  • Etc.


There are also several things that are lovely on the side. Here are some suggestions;

  • Crackers

  • Cornbread

  • Chips

  • Bread

  • Rice (which is also a cheap way to stretch the chili further)

  • etc.


Finally, there are plenty of things for which you can use leftover chili! Try some of these other dinner ideas;

  • Nacho Bowls

  • as Taco Filling

  • Frito Pie

  • Chili Dogs

  • Chili Burgers

  • Loaded Fries

  • Loaded Tots

  • over the top of Enchiladas

  • etc.


Storage.

This chili is good in the fridge for up to a week. It is even better the second day after the spices have had time to fully marry. This recipe also packs really nicely for lunch!


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