Vegetarian Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I use in chili instead of meat? ›

Let's Talk Vegetarian Chili “Meat”

This vegetarian chili features a hearty mixture of walnuts, mushrooms, and carrots that can beautifully stand in place of your ground beef and absorbs the big flavors of sautéed onion and garlic, diced green chiles, and all those spices.

All you need are a few cans of beans (I love kidney beans in my chili), veggies, spices and crushed tomatoes. To make this plant based chili you'll need: Veggies: we're adding onion, carrot, bell pepper, sweet potato and corn for the perfect mix of hearty veggies.

Only Add Flavorful Liquids

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

As a Dietitian, I love a one bowl meal that has complex carbs, protein, plenty of veggies, and healthy fat all in one. This chili is packed with plant protein and filling fiber from beans and veggies, making it crazy hearty. Regular consumption of beans can help lower cardiovascular risk.

Pinto beans are also great! bulgur or quinoa - inexpensive and usually easy to find in the bulk bins at the grocery store, bulgur adds even more of a ground meat texture to vegan chili. Use quinoa for a gluten-free option.

Either sauté a bunch of fresh mushrooms with the rest of the veggies you're using, or soak a few dried mushrooms in warm water to rehydrate them, chop them up, and add them to the pot. Mushrooms are another great source of meaty, umami flavor.

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

HORMEL^® Chili Vegetarian with Beans is a savory twist on our classic chili. Juicy vegetables, plump beans, tomatoes, jalapeños, onion, corn, carrots and green chilis combine to make a chili that is 99% fat free and bursting with flavorful spices. Just pop, heat, and serve for quick, convenient prep!

The botanical classification: Peppers are fruit.

Therefore, botanically speaking, a 'fruit' is the seed-bearing product that grows from the ovary of a flowering plant or, in other words, a fruit is the plants' way of spreading its' seeds.

To boost the flavor of chili, try thinking outside the box by adding some unexpected spices and herbs. Cinnamon delivers a sweet aroma and a woodsy, peppery flavor.

Why do you put vinegar in chili? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

Bell peppers, sweet potatoes, carrots, and celery help make this chili incredibly nutritious and flavorful. The varying textures of these veggies also create a wonderful chili consistency. Tomato Sauce + Diced Tomatoes. The tomato sauce adds liquid, and both provide rich tomato flavor.

Because strict vegetarian meals don't contain animal foods, they're cholesterol-free.

From a restaurant perspective, chili is typically assumed to be a meat dish: chili con carne. This a Spanish term that means “Chili peppers with meat.” Vegetarian chili has been around for a long time, but if a restaurant serves it, it's typically called “vegetarian chili” or “bean chili”.

To make your own spice blend: Start with a base mixture of salt, pepper, brown sugar, onion, garlic, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Other great flavoring agents for beef-alternative dishes are: Vegan Worcestershire sauce – Adds that signature umami flavor.

Chili's Popularity and Recipe Adaptations

The ICS defines Traditional Red Chili as "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, cooked with red chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients. Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed."