Last Updated on December 17, 2024 by Christin Gillespie

Classic Vegan Chili is a healthy and filling meal. Protein-rich beans, fresh vegetables, and full of savory chili flavors, this vegan chili recipe checks all the boxes. It’s the perfect cozy dish that takes less than 30 minutes to make and will be a winner this winter!

If you’re a fan of chili, you’ve come to the right place. While this vegan chili recipe is a tad different from the rest, as it does not contain any meat. However, you won’t miss it. Pinky promise.

I must admit, growing up, my dad was in charge of making the chili every winter season. In which, he had 2 rules for making chili. One, no beans allowed and two, always use the chili mix from the box. Call me a rule breaker, but we’re not following his suggestions. Sorry dad.  

My Classic Vegan Chili recipe is made with two types of beans and is loaded with a homemade chili mix. I’m telling you, the aroma alone will warm you up. With the majority of my chili recipes, I like to blend a portion of it to create a super hearty texture. I feel like that’s my signature. lol.

This vegan chili delivers on flavor and comfort, while also being easy to make. It’s on the table in less than 30 minutes and just requires one pot. I call that a keeper this winter season.

Why You’ll Love This Vegan Chili Recipe

• Quick & Easy: This vegan chili recipe comes together in 30 minutes & requires one-pot.
• Comfort Food Made Vegan: Even though my Classic Vegan Chili recipe doesn’t include any meat, it still contains the authentic chili spices.
• The Perfect Winter Meal: A super hearty, filling, & cozy recipe that everyone will love during the colder months. 
• Great for Meal Prep: This vegan chili stores well in the fridge, making it a perfect recipe to meal prep for quick dinners throughout the week.

Ingredients

• Organic Yellow Onion: Truly a staple to any dish. You can use whatever you’ve got though!
• Organic Green Bell Pepper: You can use red, orange, or yellow, if you don’t have green on hand. 
• Organic Garlic: Make sure to use fresh garlic and not garlic powder. This ingredient is crucial to build flavor.
• Organic Spices: Chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, sea salt, and black pepper, are the spices used to season this chili. 
• Organic Beans: The beans are the staple for this vegan chili recipe. We’ll be using a combination of organic black beans and organic red kidney beans. 
• Organic Crushed Tomatoes: For any traditional chili recipe needs a bit of tomato flavor!
• Organic Low-Sodium Vegetable Broth: Any broth truly works and even water, if you’re in a pinch!
• Organic Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is my go-to cooking oil, because it’s neutral in flavor & it can be used to cook at high-heat temperatures. If you don’t have avocado oil, just add a splash of filtered water or vegetable broth while cooking the vegetables.
• Organic Toppings: To complete the chili, I love topping it off with sliced avocado, a dollop of tangy coconut yogurt, and fresh cilantro. 

How To Make

1. Sauté Onion & Garlic. In a large pot, heat the avocado oil on medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and let cook for 2 minutes. Add the diced bell pepper and cook for another 2 minutes. 
2. Stir in the Spices. Add in the spices and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant. If the pot is drying out, add a splash of filtered water, as needed.
3. Add Beans & Broth. Add the beans, crushed tomatoes, and low-sodium vegetable broth. Bring to a light boil, string everything together. 
4. Cook. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let cook for 15 minutes uncovered, stirring every so often.
5. Blend. For extra-thick chili, pulse with an immersion blender in the pot a couple times. You can also remove a few scoops of chili, and add it to a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth then pour back into the pot and mix together. 
6. Serve. Ladle into bowls. Top with chilled avocado, coconut yogurt, and fresh cilantro, if desired. Enjoy!

Tips for Making this Vegan Chili Perfectly

• Organic Beans: I used a combination of organic black beans and organic kidney beans for this Classic Vegan Chili recipe. However, I think pinto beans would work as a substitute for one of the two.
• Organic Vegetables: Use your favorite type of onion – red, yellow, or white & incorporate your preferred bell pepper – red, green, orange, and/or yellow.
• Organic Crushed Tomatoes: If you don’t have crushed tomatoes, you can certainly use diced.
• Blending Chili: Although this step is completely optional, I highly recommend it. Blending about a third of the chili takes this vegan chili to the next level. It creates the perfect amount of thickness and heartiness!  
• Organic Spices: Wanting to crank up the heat to your chili? Add some extra organic cayenne pepper or organic chipotle pepper. Use with caution, because it’s spicy! And if you’re feeling adventurous, swap the green bell pepper with fresh organic jalapenos.
• Organic Toppings: Don’t forget them! Top with your favorites. I love chilled avocado, tangy coconut yogurt, and fresh cilantro!

Storing & Reheating Vegan Chili

As mentioned above, this recipe is perfect for leftovers & meal prep! Just be sure to let the chili cool completely before transferring to an air-tight glass container. 

Fridge Storage. Transfer chili to an air-tight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 

Freezer Storage. For longer storage, you can store it in the freezer, in a freezer-safe glass container for up to 2 months. If freezing, make sure to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating. To reheat, simply transfer the chili to a large pot on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a little extra water or broth as needed until warm.

More Cozy Recipes You’ll Love

• Vegan White Bean Chili
• Hearty Vegan Lentil Soup
• Vegan Sweet Potato Black Bean Pumpkin Chili
• Vegan Split Pea Carrot Soup
• Vegan Butternut Squash & White Bean Chili

Sharing Is Caring!

If you make this recipe, please leave a review & rating below! I love hearing from you and it helps others learn more about the recipe too. Lastly, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, & TikTok for even more deliciousness & wellness tips!

Xoxo.

Christin.

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