Vegetarian Chili - The Recipe Critic (2024)

Introducing the ULTIMATE vegetarian chili recipe! It’s full of tender vegetables, a combination of beans, and loaded with seasonings. It’s an easy one-pot chili bursting with so many flavors and textures that you won’t even miss the meat!

Vegetables can be the star of so many delicious recipes! I love this vegetable stir-fry because it’s so colorful and hearty. Or try my vegetable soup or this vegetable lo mein.

The BEST Vegetarian Chili

Get ready to taste the BEST vegetarian chili you’ve ever had! You won’t even realize it’s meatless because it’s so hearty and flavorful. It’s warm, cozy, and full of beans and veggies! This one-pot chili is a combination of tender beans, colorful vegetables, and a medley of spices. All simmered together to make the ultimate vegetarian chili that is comforting on a cold day. It’s the perfect chili recipe for making over the stove, in the slow cooker, or even the instant pot! You’re going to love how easy it is to throw together no matter what method of cooking you choose.

Adding more vegetables to our dinners is always a goal of mine. Especially when the family gets more nutrients in their day! Try this easy fried rice, these air fryer stuffed peppers, or this incredible vegetable chicken stew. Your family will LOVE them all!

Ingredients You Will Need

Chili doesn’t have to have meat to be chili! In my opinion, chili is ALL about the beans and the flavor. Trust me, you won’t be the meat in the vegetarian chili recipe. The exact measurements are in the recipe card below.

• Olive Oil: For cooking the onions and garlic in.
• Onion: The flavor booster in the pumpkin chili, chopped to add a touch of sweetness and texture.
• Bell Peppers:I used red and green bell peppers to add some color and crunch.
• Garlic: A tiny clove with a big punch, garlic makes everything taste better.
• Green Chilies: Adds to the Mexican-inspired flavors in this chili.
• Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: I love the extra char and flavor from the canned fire-roasted tomatoes in this recipe. It adds depth to the flavor!
• Kidney Beans, Chili Beans, Black Beans: The best trio of beans that add protein and creaminess to the vegetarian chili.
• Vegetable Broth: A key ingredient to making this a vegetarian chili. The broth is a savory base for the chili.
• Spices: Time to break out your spice rack! I used large amounts of chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, and smoked paprika. I like my vegetarian chili seasoned very well!
• Salt: Season to taste!

Vegetarian Chili Recipe

Gather those ingredients, grab your soup pot, and let’s get cooking! Vegetarian chili is SO easy to prepare. All you need to do is give your onions and garlic a quick sauté, then combine all of the ingredients together. Let it cook until it’s hearty, rich, and packed with flavor!

1. Sauté Onion, Peppers, and Garlic: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the oil and onion and cook until the onions are tender. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
2. Combine Ingredients: Add in the canned tomatoes, green chilies, broth, chili beans (with juices), kidney beans, black beans, chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, and salt.
3. Simmer: Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Serve: Taste and adjust the seasonings if desired. Garnish with your favorite toppings and enjoy!