The Best Vegan Chili Recipe

Created On: October 4, 2020 | Updated: April 4, 2022 | 65 Comments

It’s chili season and today I have The Best Vegan Chili Recipe for you! It’s super thick, loaded with tons of beans and veggies and so flavorful! It’s the perfect cozy meal this fall and winter season!

It’s chili season! I actually eat chili all year round because I love it so much, but since it’s so warm and cozy it’s perfect for the colder seasons. I’ve made a lot of chili recipes but this one I’m sharing with you today really is The Best Vegan Chili Recipe! I’ve even had a reader win a chili competition with it!

There are a few things I’m picky about when it comes to chili: I don’t like it to be super tomato-y and I love it when it’s really thick. In my opinion, if it’s not super thick it’s more like soup. And, while bean soup is good, it’s not chili 🙂

Vegan Chili Recipe Ingredients & Substitutions

Beans – I like to use three cans of beans and I use three different kinds. My go-tos are pinto, kidney and black. You can use all of he same kind or even just two kinds if you like.
Vegetables – I like to load my chili recipes up with tons of veggies. I like to use, onion, garlic, green and red pepper and tomato. You could also add in corn, zucchini, squash or any other veggie you like.
Tomato Paste and Refried Beans – I don’t like to use a ton of tomato paste in my chili because I don’t want it to taste too much like tomato, so I just use a couple of tablespoons and then thicken up the rest of it with some refried beans. It may sound strange but it works so well!
Spices – The spices are on the of the most important parts of this vegan chili recipe! I like to use cumin, paprika, onion and garlic powder, chili powder, Italian seasoning and of course salt and pepper.
Broth – I use a vegan low sodium veggie broth. You can use water but you might want to add a few more spices if you do since it won’t add any extra flavor to the chili.

How To Make The Best Vegan Chili

Chili is one of my favorite one pot meals and it’s so easy to make!

You start by sautéing your vegetables in some olive oil until they are softened.
Next, you add in your beans, tomato paste, refried beans, tomatoes and all the seasonings. Mix well until everything is combined and then add in your broth and mix again.
Cover chili and let simmer for at least 30 minutes, but longer if you like. I like to stir the chili pot every 5-10 minutes to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom. The more flavor will develop the longer you let it cook but I’m usually in a hurry so only do about 30 minutes or so. Give the chili a little taste and add extra salt, or other seasonings, if desired.

Recipe Tips For Making The Best Easy Vegan Chili:

I like my chili super beany but if you aren’t as much of a fan I would suggest using two cans instead of three cans.
You can use whatever kind of beans you like! I like a variety so I usually use pinto, kidney and black but you could use all one kind if you prefer.
Peppers and onion are usually my go-to for chili vegetables but you can add as many veggies as you like to your vegan chili. I have a vegetarian chili recipe that also includes zucchini, summer squash, carrot, corn and sometimes even sweet potato.
Feel free to add extra seasonings if you like! Everyone prefers a different level of heat and spice in their chili, so definitely taste as you go and add more if you like.
As I said above, I love super thick chili so I only added two cups of broth to mine, but if you prefer a soupier consistency you can add three cups.
I like to use my Le Creuset pot for soups like this!
In my opinion, chili usually tastes best after it has sat for a while, so you can always make this vegan chili the day before you need it, refrigerate it over night and re-heat the next day for maximum flavor.

How To Store Your Vegan Chili

If you have leftovers, you can either refrigerate them or freeze them. Chili does seem to soak up some liquid while it sits so you may want to add extra broth when heating up.

Refrigerate in a container with a lid for up to 4-5 days.
Freeze in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Thaw on the counter or in the refrigerator or just put the frozen chili in a large pot.

Check Out Exactly How I Make My Favorite Vegan Chili Recipe Below!

Looking for more hearty vegan soup recipes?

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Curried Lentil Quinoa Soup

Pumpkin and Black Bean Chili

Butternut Squash Chili

Sweet Potato Quinoa Chili