Best 7 Weeknight Vegetarian Chili Recipes

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Weeknight Vegetarian Chili, a flavorful and comforting meal that can be easily prepared in under an hour, is an ideal dish for busy individuals seeking a quick and healthy dinner option. This versatile chili can be customized to suit various dietary preferences and tastes, making it a crowd-pleaser suitable for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. With an array of colorful vegetables, aromatic spices, and the rich flavors of beans and tomatoes, this chili delivers both nutritional value and exceptional taste, making it a perfect addition to your weeknight meal rotation.

Let's cook with our recipes!

THE BEST VEGETARIAN CHILI IN THE WORLD



The Best Vegetarian Chili in the World image

Break out your soup pot and fix up a batch of this delicious, spicy vegetarian chili today! It's ready in no time, and packed with vegetables, beans - and flavor!

Provided by calead910

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Chili Recipes     Vegetarian

Time 1h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 tablespoon olive oil
½ medium onion, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon salt
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 green bell peppers, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 (4 ounce) cans chopped green chile peppers, drained
2 (12 ounce) packages vegetarian burger crumbles
3 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, crushed
¼ cup chili powder
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and season with bay leaves, cumin, oregano, and salt. Cook and stir until onion is tender, then mix in the celery, green bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, garlic, and green chile peppers. When vegetables are heated through, mix in the vegetarian burger crumbles. Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer 5 minutes.
  • Mix the tomatoes into the pot. Season chili with chili powder and pepper. Stir in the kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and black beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 45 minutes. Stir in the corn, and continue cooking 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 390.6 calories, Carbohydrate 58.7 g, Fat 7.9 g, Fiber 18.1 g, Protein 28.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.1 g, Sodium 2571.2 mg, Sugar 11.6 g

WEEKNIGHT VEGETARIAN CHILI



Weeknight Vegetarian Chili image

Weeknight comfort foods like this one-pan quick chili are a great entryway into eating a more plant-based diet. Switching from a pot to a skillet slashed the cooking time in half for this recipe, and the wider pan surface lets spices and aromatics meld quickly for deep complexity.

Provided by Shira Bocar

Categories     Food & Cooking     Healthy Recipes     Gluten-Free Recipes

Time 40m

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 red onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Kosher salt
2 teaspoons chopped chipotle in adobo
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
3 cups cooked pinto, kidney, or black beans; or 2 cans (each 15 ounces) beans, drained and rinsed, plus 1 cup bean-cooking liquid or water
6 ounces sharp cheddar, grated (1 1/2 cups)
1 avocado, pitted, peeled, and chopped
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves or small sprigs
Sour cream and blistered corn tortillas, for serving

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a large straight-sided skillet over medium. Reserve 1/4 cup diced onion; add remaining onion to skillet along with garlic. Season with salt and cook, stirring, until tender, 4 to 6 minutes.
  • Add chipotle, chili powder, cumin, and tomatoes with their juices; cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add beans and cooking liquid; bring to a simmer. Cook until slightly thickened, 15 to 18 minutes. Season to taste. Sprinkle with cheese, cover, and cook until just melted, about 2 minutes.
  • Remove from heat; top with reserved onion, avocado, and cilantro, and serve with sour cream and tortillas.

WEEKNIGHT TWO-BEAN CHILI



Weeknight Two-Bean Chili image

This 30-minute weekenight dinner is a vegetarian chili that tastes like it's been slow simmered for hours. The hint of Chinese five-spice powder is a nice spice surprise. If you serve it over spaghetti, it turns into Cincinnati-style chili. (1 serving of Cincinnati-style chili equals 3/4 cup chili + 2 ounce (dry) cooked whole-wheat spaghetti.)

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small jalapeno, minced (with some seeds)
1 small or 1/2 large red onion, finely diced
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 1/4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1 cup canned crushed roasted tomatoes
1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder or ground cinnamon, optional
Two 15-ounce cans beans (such as kidney and black), rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 cups cooked brown rice
1/2 cup finely shredded extra-sharp Cheddar (2 ounces)

Steps:

  • Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; add the jalapenos, onions and vinegar and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds.
  • Stir in the broth, tomatoes, chili powder and five-spice powder if using, and increase the heat to high. Bring to a full boil and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the beans and return to a full boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until just slightly thickened but still soupy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cilantro.
  • Fill each bowl with about 1/2 cup of rice. Ladle the chili on top, sprinkle with the Cheddar and serve.

VEGETARIAN SKILLET CHILI WITH EGGS AND CHEDDAR



Vegetarian Skillet Chili With Eggs and Cheddar image

This soul-warming weeknight chili is made in a skillet because the shorter sides of the pan allow the liquid to evaporate more freely, encouraging it to thicken faster than it would in a traditional pot. Eggs are nestled right into the chili, so the whites cook and the yolks stay molten, in a preparation similar to a shakshuka, another popular eggs-for-dinner dish. Shower the chili with Cheddar, simmer for a few minutes and there you have it: a hearty vegetarian meal. Serve with any toppings you like and something starchy like tortillas to mop everything up.

Provided by Ali Slagle

Categories     dinner, weekday, soups and stews, main course

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped
Kosher salt and black pepper
4 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
4 teaspoons chili powder
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 (28-ounce) can crushed or diced fire-roasted tomatoes
2 (14-ounce) cans of beans, such as pinto, black or any bean you like in chili, with their liquid
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
4 large eggs
1 cup grated extra-sharp Cheddar
Cilantro sprigs, for serving (optional)
Warm tortillas, tortilla chips or tostadas, for serving

Steps:

  • In a large (preferably cast-iron) skillet, melt the butter over medium-high. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin and chili powder, stir to combine, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to stick to the bottom of the pan and turns the color of rust, about 2 minutes.
  • Stir in the tomatoes and both cans of beans with their liquid. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, smashing the beans lightly and stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 20 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, then season to taste with salt.
  • Reduce the heat to low. If your chili is thick enough, make four divots evenly spaced in the chili and crack an egg into each divot. (If the chili is not thick enough to hold the divots, don't worry, just crack the eggs on top.) Using a fork or spoon, gently cover the whites with chili. (This helps the whites cook faster and more evenly). Season the eggs with salt and pepper, then sprinkle the chili with Cheddar. Cover and cook until the whites are set and the yolks are still runny, 5 to 7 minutes. Garnish, if desired, with cilantro sprigs. Serve with tortillas, tortilla chips or tostadas alongside.

CONTEST-WINNING VEGETARIAN CHILI



Contest-Winning Vegetarian Chili image

My husband and I love vegetarian Dutch oven recipes-and this vegetarian chili is one of our favorites. It makes a huge pot that's chock-full of color and flavor. And once the chopping is done, it's quick to cook. -Marilyn Barilleaux, Bothell, Washington

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 1h

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

4 medium zucchini, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (28 ounces each) Italian stewed tomatoes, cut up
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, cook zucchini, onions and peppers in oil over medium-high heat until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute., Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 30 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 131 calories, Fat 4g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 622mg sodium, Carbohydrate 18g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

INSANELY EASY VEGETARIAN CHILI



Insanely Easy Vegetarian Chili image

This chili is SO easy to make. You can pretty much throw whatever you have into the pot and it'll be great. (I added some leftover salsa once.) It's very colorful, not to mention delicious.

Provided by Tia the Baker

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Chili Recipes     Vegetarian

Time 55m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup chopped onions
¾ cup chopped carrots
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
¾ cup chopped celery
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 ½ cups chopped fresh mushrooms
1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes with liquid, chopped
1 (19 ounce) can kidney beans with liquid
1 (11 ounce) can whole kernel corn, undrained
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
1 ½ teaspoons dried basil

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saute onions, carrots, and garlic until tender. Stir in green pepper, red pepper, celery, and chili powder. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 6 minutes.
  • Stir in mushrooms, and cook 4 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, kidney beans, and corn. Season with cumin, oregano, and basil. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to medium. Cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 155.1 calories, Carbohydrate 29 g, Fat 3 g, Fiber 8.1 g, Protein 6.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 423.3 mg, Sugar 6.8 g

VEGETARIAN SKILLET CHILI



Vegetarian Skillet Chili image

If you keep canned beans, tomatoes, onion and garlic in your pantry, you can make this dish on any weeknight without having to shop. The pickled onions aren't strictly necessary, but they are simple to make and add a welcome tangy contrast to the beans. Pickled peppers are a fine substitute. If you have a bell pepper or jalapeño or two, chop them up and sauté them with the onions. And if you want to be fancy, grate the zest off the lime before juicing for the pickles, and stir it into the sour cream.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     easy, weekday, weeknight, soups and stews, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 lime
1 red onion or shallot, thinly sliced
Large pinch of kosher salt
Small pinch of granulated sugar
Olive or grapeseed oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, or to taste, minced
1 teaspoon chile powder, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon dried oregano, plus more to taste
2 (15-ounce) cans beans, drained
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes with their juices
Kosher salt
Fresh cilantro, diced avocado and sour cream, for garnish (optional)

Steps:

  • Make the pickled onions: Squeeze lime juice into a bowl, and add onion, salt and sugar. Let rest while you make the chili.
  • Prepare the chili: Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the oil. When hot, add onion and sauté until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic, chile powder and oregano and sauté until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Add beans and tomatoes and a few large pinches of salt and let simmer until the tomatoes break down, about 20 minutes.
  • Taste and add more salt, chile powder and/or oregano to taste. Serve with the pickled onions and any of the garnishes you like.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 317, UnsaturatedFat 1 gram, Carbohydrate 63 grams, Fat 1 gram, Fiber 14 grams, Protein 17 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 959 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams

Tips:

  • Use a variety of beans. This will give your chili a more complex flavor and texture. Good options include black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, and Great Northern beans.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different spices. Chili is a great dish to experiment with different flavors. Some popular spices to add to chili include chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  • Add some sweetness to your chili. A little bit of sweetness can help to balance out the heat of the chili. Good options for adding sweetness include brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup.
  • Top your chili with your favorite toppings. Some popular toppings for chili include shredded cheese, sour cream, onions, and avocado.
  • Let your chili simmer for a while. The longer you simmer your chili, the more flavor it will develop. Try to simmer your chili for at least 30 minutes, or even longer if you have time.

Conclusion:

Vegetarian chili is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With so many different recipes to choose from, you are sure to find a vegetarian chili recipe that you will love. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, give vegetarian chili a try. You won't be disappointed!

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