Ever try a vegan chili recipe? It’s delicious! This meatless three bean chili is rich in flavour from lots of chili powder, cumin and coriander and has a hit of smoky spice from chipotle peppers. It’s super hearty and will warm ya right up on a cold day! Garnish with your favourite toppings!
Hi everyone! How was your weekend? Are you wondering how I’m doing with my meatless March adventure? So, for those of you who aren’t familiar, basically I’d enjoy a whole month of vegetarian-only meals.
Though, I’m not a vegetarian, I absolutely love vegetarian and vegan eats.
This past month, I got a huge hankering for some of my faves like wings and chili.
You know when all is going through your mind is that and you can’t let it go until you have? That was me, LOL. Good thing I love spicy cauliflower wings and I was covered with this yummy vegetarian chili.
This meatless chili is so hearty, even meat lovers would inhale a huge bowl of it. While it’s no longer meatless March, it is meatless Monday so the perfect excuse to chow down on a bowl!
Ingredients for Three Bean Chili
You basically have similar components in a meatless chili as you would for a regular meat-based one, except, of course, there’s no meat.
There are:
- Plenty of beans
- Veggies, like celery, bell pepper and mushrooms
- Aromatics, like onion and garlic
- Canned tomatoes and tomato paste
- Lots of flavourful seasoning
- Cider vinegar
- Oil
Tip: If you want to add a beef-like texture, try using veggie ground ‘beef’. You can omit one can of beans and replace with some veggie ground ‘beef’, if you like.
I often use veggie ground ‘beef’ and used it in this vegan sloppy joe recipe (so good).
Best Beans for Chili
For this vegan chili recipe (or any chili recipe, really) I often opt for any of the following:
- Black beans
- Kidney beans
- White kidney beans
- Romano beans
- Great Northern beans
Why We Love Beans
Beans are a staple in our home, both dried and canned. Whenever possible, I buy the unsalted (or no salt added) variety of canned beans and, of course, I always rinse them before using.
Beans are not only pretty inexpensive, but they are tasty and versatile.
I use ’em in salads, burgers, soups, dips, and chili on the regular. I can honestly say that I’ve never eaten as many beans as I do now.
How Long Does It Last
Store leftovers in a covered container in the fridge and enjoy within 3 to 4 days.
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Can I Freeze Chili?
Yes, you can!
Similarly to my baked beans, this three bean chili freeze really well.
After the chili has cooled, portion as desired (I like to portion smaller quantities so I can just take out what’s needed at any given time; plus, it thaws quickly) and place into vacuum sealer bags (follow the instructions for your vacuum sealer to seal). Once sealed, spread the bags out flat. Place onto a sheet pan and into your freezer. Once frozen, you can remove the sheet pan and stack the frozen packages of chili neatly in your freezer.
Alternatively, use your favourite sealable freezer-safe bags or freezer-safe containers (leaving some headspace at the top of the container for the liquid to expand as it freezes).
Freeze the chili for up to four to six months. Don’t forget to label the bag or container with the recipe name and date it was made, so you’ll know for later.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the chili overnight in the refrigerator.
To reheat, place chili in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If you want to loosen or thin it out, add a splash of broth or water.
Garnish Options
As you know, I’m all about those garnishes for extra flavour and pops of colour. I enjoy any of these:
- Cilantro
- Greek yogurt (A favourite of mine. It adds creaminess to the chili and cools it down a touch. I often use it in lieu of sour cream). If you use yogurt, this will be a vegetarian chili recipe, not vegan. Still totally delicious!
- Green onion or diced red or white onion
- Sliced avocado
- Sliced hot peppers
- Diced fresh tomato
- Squeeze of lime
More Recipe Tips
Canned romano, black bean and white kidney beans were used in this recipe. Use whatever you have on hand (suggestions above). And if you only have one type of bean, that’s OK too!
Like mentioned above, if you like, you could omit one can of beans and replace with a veggie ground ‘beef’. You can find this in your supermarket, usually right along where you would find tofu and the like.
Don’t have fresh mushrooms on hand, only canned? No worries! Drain those and use an equivalent quantity of canned mushrooms.
Like things more or less spicy? Just adjust the cayenne and chipotle peppers to taste.
If you want to use dried beans and pre-cook them, my friend Karrie from Tasty Ever After has a recipe for cooking white beans.
More Yummy Meatless Recipes
Hope you love this meatless chili recipe as much as we do!
If you make this three bean chili recipe, be sure to leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed!
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Three Bean Chili Recipe (meatless chili recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion , peeled and diced
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 3 cups sliced baby bella (cremini) or white button mushrooms
- 2 stalks celery , sliced (about ¼-inch thick)
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 bell peppers , cut into bite-sized pieces (medium dice)
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 (28 ounce) cans of whole peeled tomatoes , tomatoes roughly mashed with a potato masher to break up before using
- 2 to 3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce , chopped (or 1 to 2 teaspoons of chipotle powder or smoked paprika)
- 19 ounce can of unsalted (or no salt added) black beans . rinsed and drained (about 2 cups)
- 19 ounce can of unsalted (or no salt added) romano beans , rinsed and drained (about 2 cups)
- 19 ounce can of unsalted (or no salt added) white kidney beans , rinsed and drained (about 2 cups)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Garnish Ideas (optional)
- Sliced jalapeno
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced green onion
- Sliced avocado
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Greek yogurt or sour cream
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a 5 to 6 quart Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened slightly, about 3 to 4 minutes,
- Add garlic, stir, and cook 1 minute.
- Add mushrooms and celery, stirring often, until celery has softened and mushrooms have lost some of their moisture, about 5 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and stir to combine. Cook 1 minute.
- Add bell peppers, chili powder, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper powder, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Add cans of tomatoes and chipotle peppers. Stir to combine. Bring to simmer, cover and cook 15 minutes or until vegetables are almost tender.
- Add beans, stirring to combine, and cook an additional 10 minutes, covered.
- Stir in apple cider vinegar. Serve and garnish, if desired, with any of the garnish ideas or your favourite chili toppings. Enjoy!
Notes
- Like things more or less spicy? Just adjust the cayenne and chipotle peppers to taste.
Nutrition (ESTIMATE ONLY)
Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 Serving.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.
Marissa
It’s weird, when I go meatless for a couple of days I just don’t feel good. But I do love to have a meal or two every day without meat and this chili is just perfect – super hearty and flavorful.
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Marissa! Glad to hear I’m not alone 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful weekend! XO
Ashika | Gardening Foodie
The colder wintery weather has been creeping in on us here in South Africa so this will be a delicious and comforting dinner to try. I loooooove chili recipes and this is definitely one i am going to be enjoying. 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Me too! Thanks Ashika! Hope you enjoy it 🙂 Stay warm!
Kevin O'Leary
Never hang your head in shame for chicken wings! This chili looks absolutely amazing…and if you want to put a little bit of bacon on it, no guilt. 🙂
Ben|Havocinthekitchen
Don’t be hard on yourself, Dawn. Besides, chicken is also considered to be poultry, so I would say you didn’t eat any meat. Does this make sense?:) And this delicious chili makes sense too as I don’t feel spring coming – this dish is totally appropriate.
Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much Ben 🙂 It’s not spring-like around here yet either – hopefully soon! Hope you’re having a great week!!
K.C.
Did you really have to say “WINGGGGGGGGS!”? Now, I want some. Your chili may not be wings, but it looks like it would be very satisfying as well. 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Haha 😉 I know, right?? Thank you so much!
Lisa Huff
I really could go for a big bowl of this today! Another snow storm on the way so need this kind of cozy comfort food!
Girl Heart Food
Oh no for snow! Thanks Lisa! Stay warm 🙂
Sues
Aw, as long as you learned, that’s all that matters! Haha I’m not sure I could do it either… But I do love having meatless meals often and this chili looks delicious!! We’re getting more snow here tomorrow, so this would be the perfect little warmup!
Girl Heart Food
Haha – definitely 😉 Thanks Sues! Try and stay warm!!
Amy | The Cook Report
I love chilli and this veggie version looks amazing!
Girl Heart Food
I do too! Thanks Amy 🙂
Priya
wow! this bean chilli looks so delicious! Its so healthy too..
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Priya 🙂
Sarah
LOL.. you’re too funny. Oh well lololol.
This chili sounds delicious though, and if you can believe it- it’s supposed to SNOW here tonight! I’m so annoyed- it’s supposed to be SPRING! I guess I’ll be makin soup!
Girl Heart Food
Hehehe 😉 Oh no for snow! Yeah, like, bring on spring, am I right? I guess it will be here soon enough…hopefully!! Thanks Sarah!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
We love chili in our house! Whether it’s ground beef or turkey, or vegetarian like this one, chili is always super filling and a great way to feed a crowd. Love the smokey flavour you’ve added to this one, and you can’t go wrong loading it up with three different kinds of beans! I’ll be saving this one to try on our next cold, snowy day!
Girl Heart Food
We do too! Thank you Leanne! Hope you’re having an awesome week 🙂
Katherine | Love In My Oven
You don’t even have to feel bad about caving – I don’t know how you went as long as you did!! I would be eating wings the first week, haha
You definitely made up for things with this chili though; we love our beans too. So cheap and convenient, and GREAT for you. I need more of these hearty dishes in my dinner repertoire. Pinning for sure! Hope you had a great weekend my friend!
Girl Heart Food
Haha – glad I’m not alone 😉 Thank you Katherine! Hope you get to try this one out soon 🙂
Thao @ In Good Flavor
Two weeks is a great job in my book, Dawn! I would have never made it that long. It’s over when I smell steak cooking especially on the grill. This chili is so robust and satisfying that I would not miss the meat at all! In fact, it will be the perfect comfort meal on Wednesday when we get hit with another 8-inches of snow.
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Thao!! Try and stay warm, my friend 🙂
Sadhna Grover
I love three beans combination, I love the combinations and vegetables you have used in this recipe.
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Sadhna 🙂
Karen (Back Road Journal)
I always keep a large selection of beans in my pantry and your chili sounds great. I’m with you, as much as I enjoy vegetables I couldn’t go a whole month without eating any meat.
Girl Heart Food
Me too! So convenient! Thanks Karen! Hope you get a chance to try this one out 🙂
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
Hey, you lasted a long time! Don’t feel bad for caving–wings are kinda hard to resist right? This chili sounds AMAAAZING! I love a good, hearty chili and it’s been pretty cold and gray here for awhile, which means I need some of this deliciousness ASAP! Have a great week, Dawn!
Girl Heart Food
Totally!! Thanks Kelsie! Have a lovely week too 🙂
Milena
Well, I would not have lasted even one week. Maybe three days, tops. I love wings too, so not even sure about three days, lol. You did great! This three bean chili does sounds perfect…especially since the weather here is also not giving up.. Snow storm in the mountains last night and snow/rain down here..There will be at least one more before winter is gone, so will have a chance to enjoy chili soon. Pinned!
Girl Heart Food
Haha – good to know 😉 We still have snow here too and the winter jackets are still needed. Hopefully, it’ll warm up soon! Thanks Milena! Hope you like this one 🙂
[email protected]
HAHAHA!! I can imagine it….”I want WINGGGGGGGGS!” I would be the same way, my friend! But this three bean chili sure would carry me far! I’m a fan! Just perfect for these (still) snowy days! Have a great week! Cheers! XOXO
Girl Heart Food
Right?! So happy to hear I’m not the only one 😉 Thanks Annie! Have a great week too! XOXO
David @ Spiced
I don’t blame you for caving in, Dawn. Not one bit. Funny story: Laura tried the vegetarian thing for a while (before I met her) and chicken wings were her downfall, too. I admit that I do love wings, but I think a good burger would be my downfall. Either way, this chili sounds amazing! We’ve been frigid cold here lately, too (what the heck?? Springs starts tomorrow…officially at least), and a good bowl of this chili would be an excellent lunch idea. I might just have to make that happen!
Girl Heart Food
Burgers are so good too, especially with lots of cheese and onion! It’s cold here too, so I understand!! Thanks so much, David, and try and stay warm 🙂
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Great chili! I don’t really miss the meat in chili. Now wings. That’s a whole other deal. I don’t blame you for caving 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Jennifer! Haha – I hear ya!! Thanks so much 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
Perfect for these winter days that seem to be hanging on Dawn! Love the three different kinds of beans too! So nice and hearty! Pinned! Hope your week is wonderful! XO
Girl Heart Food
So true!! Thanks Mary Ann! Same to you! XO