• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Dinner at the Zoo

  • All Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Appetizers
  • Dessert
  • One Pot Meals
  • Slow Cooker
  • Asian Food

Home » Soup » Vegetarian Chili

Published: March 31, 2021 Last Modified: March 31, 2021 By Sara 15 Comments

Vegetarian Chili

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
This vegetarian chili is a blend of colorful vegetables, two types of beans and tomatoes.

This vegetarian chili is a blend of colorful vegetables, two types of beans and tomatoes, all simmered together to make a hearty and delicious meal. My vegetable chili is so good that you won’t even miss the meat!

When I’m looking for an easy dinner that the whole family will love, I turn to favorites such as vegetable lasagna, taco casserole and this simple, yet satisfying vegetarian chili.

This vegetarian chili is a blend of colorful vegetables, two types of beans and tomatoes. This vegetarian chili is a blend of colorful vegetables, two types of beans and tomatoes.

A bowl of vegetarian chili topped with shredded cheese and sour cream.

I try to make sure we eat a meatless dinner at least once a week because it’s healthier and less expensive. This vegetarian chili is a favorite with both kids and adults alike, and is the perfect way to warm up on a cold day.

How do you make vegetarian chili?

Start by cooking onions and bell peppers in a pot until the vegetables are tender. Add garlic, beans, tomatoes, green chilies and vegetable broth to the pot, along with a variety of spices. Let the chili simmer until it’s thick, then stir in corn kernels. Serve immediately, with your choice of toppings.

Chili ingredients in glass bowls including spices and vegetables.

Tips for the perfect dish

  • This is a mild chili. If you prefer a spicy chili, you can use hot chili powder, or add in spice in another form such as hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes.
  • Vegetable chili will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, which makes this recipe perfect for meal prep.
  • I like to offer a variety of toppings with chili, including shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, diced tomatoes, tortilla chips and diced avocado.
  • This recipe can easily be adapted to the slow cooker. Place all the ingredients in a crock pot, and simmer on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours. If you use a slow cooker, you’ll want to reduce the amount of broth by half.
  • The secret ingredient in this recipe is the cocoa powder. It does not make the chili sweet at all, but the hint of cocoa complements all of the other spices and really makes this chili special.

Sauteed peppers and onions in a pot.

Vegetarian Chili Flavor variations

This chili is fabulous as-is, but you can also add other flavors to customize it to your tastes.

  • Protein: If you’re not looking for a meatless meal, try adding some ground beef or ground turkey. To keep things vegetarian, stick with a protein such as soy crumbles or soy chorizo or even chopped up veggie burgers.
  • Vegetables: Feel free to add extra veggies to the mix such as zucchini, carrots, celery, mushrooms or even kale.
  • Beans: I’ve used a blend of black and pinto beans in this dish. You can substitute other types of beans including kidney beans and Great Northern beans.

Beans, peppers, onions and tomatoes in a soup pot.

How can you make chili more flavorful?

If you want a more unique and complex flavor to your chili, you can add any of the following ingredients.

  • Beer (instead of the vegetable broth)
  • Jalapenos
  • Espresso powder
  • Dried chilies such as ancho, chipotle, cascabel or guajillo
  • Sweet potatoes

Can you freeze vegetarian chili?

This recipe is a great candidate for the freezer. Place the chili into gallon sized freezer bags or airtight containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use the chili, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it on the stovetop until it is warmed through.

A pot of vegetarian chili topped with fresh cilantro.

My family requests this vegetarian chili on a regular basis and I’m always happy to oblige!

More soup recipes you’ll enjoy

  • Cabbage Soup
  • Pumpkin Soup
  • Vegetable Soup
  • Alphabet Soup
  • Minestrone Soup

Vegetarian Chili Video

A bowl of vegetarian chili topped with shredded cheese and sour cream.
Print Pin
5 from 11 votes

Vegetarian Chili

This vegetarian chili is a blend of colorful vegetables, two types of beans and tomatoes, all simmered together to make a hearty and delicious meal. My vegetable chili is so good that you won't even miss the meat!
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 286kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3/4 cup onion finely diced
  • 1 cup red bell pepper diced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes do not drain
  • 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt or more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1` 4 ounce can diced green chilies drained
  • 2 15 ounce cans pinto beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 15 ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn kernels fresh, thawed from frozen or canned
  • Toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro and tortilla strips

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat.
  • Add the onions and red bell peppers to the pot and cook for 5-7 minutes or until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, pepper, chilies, pinto beans and black beans to the pot. Bring to a simmer.
  • Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until chili has thickened.
  • Add the corn and cook for another 5 minutes.
  • Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired. Serve immediately with toppings of your choice.

Nutrition

Calories: 286kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 645mg | Potassium: 738mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2001IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 4mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @DinnerAtTheZoo or tag #dinneratthezoo!
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Filed Under: Dinner, Soup

FREE TOOLKIT: 5 Secrets to Meal Planning

Learn my 5 Meal Planning Secrets & get my Meal Planning Toolkit...FREE!

    ​
    ​

    Still hungry? Follow Dinner at the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest for more great recipe ideas!

    « Beef Lo Mein
    Chicken Adobo »

    Comments

    1. Stella H says

      September 21, 2021 at 2:19 am

      I made this for a BBQ as an offering for a vegan attendee (used vegetable stock). Not only did she love it, but there was not a single spoon full left, it was the hit of the cookout!! I threw in some chili flakes and it really kicked the spiciness up. This tastes great on a baked potato, or over a bed of rice to really stretch the batch, but there is plenty to go around if just enjoying as a main dish. I cook the peppers and onions as directed, but then everything gets thrown into a crock pot, and it makes up great! I make this at least 2 times a month and hubby loves the leftovers for work.

      Reply
    2. Renee Schouten says

      July 29, 2021 at 6:04 pm

      Hi there,

      Can I use water instead of vegetable broth?

      thanks,

      Renee

      Reply
      • Sara says

        July 29, 2021 at 6:49 pm

        I think that would be fine but you may need to add more salt and seasonings!

        Reply
        • Renee says

          July 30, 2021 at 7:39 pm

          Ok! Thanks!

          Reply
    3. Susan says

      July 1, 2021 at 2:24 pm

      5 stars
      We just love this chili recipe! it freezes well also!

      Reply
    4. Jacque Hooper says

      April 14, 2021 at 11:52 am

      5 stars
      Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it has easily become a new family favorite meal! So hearty and bold; perfect down to the last bite!

      Reply
    5. Chef Mireille says

      April 7, 2021 at 6:04 pm

      5 stars
      WITH THIS delicious chili, I dont even miss the meat and I’m not vegetarian.Love the flavors you added with the spices. And with the cheese melting into it, this meal will become a weekly addition to the repertoire at home.

      Reply
    6. Biana says

      April 7, 2021 at 5:40 pm

      5 stars
      Love all the healthy ingredients you are including in the chili! Looks delicious and so easy to make.

      Reply
    7. Kristina Tipps says

      April 7, 2021 at 5:12 pm

      5 stars
      Loved this recipe! No one even realized there was no meat til the end, when my husband asked, “hey, did you put beef in that?”. And he was on his second bowl 🙂

      Reply
    8. Jamie says

      April 7, 2021 at 4:27 pm

      5 stars
      This makes such a hearty, satisfying meal especially on chilly days like today! Love all the spices and beans in here. It keeps me full for hours!

      Reply
    9. Anjali says

      April 7, 2021 at 4:05 pm

      5 stars
      This veggie chili was so easy to make and so hearty and flavorful!! Everyone in my family loved this dish – even my two picky kids!

      Reply
    10. Sue says

      April 2, 2021 at 3:00 pm

      5 stars
      We made this the day you posted and the whole family loved it, even my meat craving hubby!!

      Reply
    11. Ashley Elizabeth says

      April 2, 2021 at 2:59 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! This was incredibly delicious and cozy for a “chili” night at home!

      Reply
    12. Erika says

      April 2, 2021 at 2:36 pm

      5 stars
      This chili looks amazing! I love that it’s vegetarian too! So much great flavor.

      Reply
    13. Claudia Lamascolo says

      April 2, 2021 at 1:35 pm

      5 stars
      Finally I found a recipe with all the ingredients I love so glad to stumble across this, love vegetarian chili and this is spot on perfect!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    With 3 young kids, dinner can feel like feeding time at the zoo! I'm a mom on a mission to create easy, healthy and family friendly recipes ...Read More

    Grilling Recipes

    Grilled pork tenderloin on a serving plate with grilled vegetables on the side.

    Grilled Pork Tenderloin

    Mexican street corn with mayonnaise, crema, cotija cheese and chili powder.

    Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

    A colorful platter of grilled vegetables flavored with garlic and herbs.

    Grilled Vegetables

    This recipe for greek chicken souvlaki is skewers of tender chicken breast marinated in lemon, garlic and herbs, then grilled to perfection and served with a creamy yogurt sauce. FosterFarmsOrganic AD

    Chicken Souvlaki

    The best chicken marinade covering grilled chicken breasts, garnished with lemon.

    The Best Chicken Marinade

    Pork chop marinade for grilled pork chops. The pork chops are on a serving plate garnished with parsley.

    The Best Pork Chop Marinade

    More Posts from this Category

    Featured Recipes

    These bacon ranch chicken foil packets are a super easy dinner option with minimal cleanup! Chicken breasts are cooked with potatoes and ranch flavored butter, then topped with melted cheese and bacon for a meal that's sure to please any crowd.

    Bacon Ranch Chicken Foil Packets

    A pile of crispy coconut shrimp on a sheet pan with cilantro leaves for garnish.

    Coconut Shrimp

    This one pot chicken with cheddar broccoli rice combines classic flavors for a quick and easy dinner. Chicken thighs are cooked with a creamy cheesy broccoli cheddar rice for a complete meal without all the cleanup.

    Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole

    A pan of pasta with ground beef, onion, pasta shells, cheddar cheese and bacon.

    Cheeseburger Pasta

    FREE TOOLKIT: 5 Secrets to Meal Planning

    Learn my 5 Meal Planning Secrets & get my Meal Planning Toolkit...FREE!

      ​
      ​

      Categories

      Sites I am featured In
      PRIVACY POLICY ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT © Sara Welch and Dinner at the Zoo® LLC, 2015-2022.
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • RSS
      • Twitter
      • About Me
      • Contact Me
      • All Recipes
      • Dinner
      • Appetizers
      • Dessert
      • One Pot Meals
      • Slow Cooker
      • Asian Food