We love this easy vegetarian chili packed with vegetables, beans and quinoa. Thanks to the perfect blend of spices, this chili will satisfy just about anyone. It’s perfect for making ahead, too! Freeze this veggie chili for up to 3 months. Jump to the Vegetarian Chili Recipe
How to Make Vegetarian Chili
Whenever I’m in the mood for this meatless chili, I make a double batch. It’s the perfect dish to freeze for another day. Having a batch of this vibrant quinoa and bean chili stored in the freezer has saved us more than once.
Making the chili is easy! Here are the basic steps (the full recipe is found below):
Step 1, Cook veggies like onion, bell pepper and sweet potato in some oil until soft and sweet.
Step 2, Add a generous amount of spices including chili powder (I love using our homemade version), cumin and chipotle powder for heat. If you don’t have chipotle powder, cayenne will also work.
Step 3, Pour in canned diced tomatoes, cooked or canned beans, veggie broth and dried quinoa.
Step 4, Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes and then serve with a bit of lime juice, cilantro and any other chili toppings you love.
This has the perfect combination of sweet and tender veggies, hearty beans and quinoa all cooked in a generously spiced base. It’s quick to make and keeps for months in the freezer.
As for serving, I love a big bowl with a bit more fresh lime juice. I also love this chili with a slice of homemade cornbread on the side.
A few slices of avocado or a spoonful of guacamole wouldn’t hurt and shredded or crumbled cheese is never a bad idea. Enjoy!
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Delightful Vegetarian Chili
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We love this simple vegetarian chili packed with vegetables, beans and quinoa. Thanks to the perfect blend of spices, this chili will satisfy just about anyone. It’s perfect for making ahead, too! Freeze this veggie chili for up to 3 months.
Watch Us Make the Recipe
You Will Need
For the Chili2 tablespoons neutral oil like grape seed oil or vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped (2 cups)
3 medium carrots, chopped (1 cup)
1 large red bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
1 medium-large sweet potato, chopped (1 cup)
4 cloves garlic minced (1 rounded tablespoon)
2 tablespoons chili powder, see our homemade chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder or smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt or more to taste
1 can (14.5 ounce) canned diced tomatoes, we prefer fire roasted
1 can (15 ounce) black beans, drained and rinsed (1 1/2 cups cooked beans)
2 1/2 cups vegetable broth, see our veggie broth recipe
1/2 cup (95 grams) uncooked quinoa
1/2 cup packed cilantro leaves, chopped
Juice of half a lime or more to taste
For ServingServing suggestions: sliced or mashed avocado, guacamole, pico de gallo, extra cilantro, extra lime, crema or sour cream, shredded cheese or nutritional yeast
Directions
1Heat the oil in a large, deep pot over medium heat. Add the onions, and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and some of the edges are brown, about 7 minutes. Add the carrots, bell pepper and sweet potato then cook another 5 minutes or until the vegetables are beginning to sweat.
2Stir in garlic, chili powder, cumin, chipotle powder, and the 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally until the garlic and spices begin to smell fragrant, about 2 minutes.
3Pour in the tomatoes with their juices, and then use a spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot to remove any stuck browned bits or veggies.
4Stir in the beans, vegetable broth and quinoa. Bring the chili to a low simmer and cook, partially covered with a lid, until the quinoa is full cooked, 20 to 25 minutes.
5Taste and season the chili with additional salt if needed, and then stir in the cilantro and lime juice. Serve with desired toppings.
I made this chili for dinner last night. Followed the recipe exactly except for reducing the chili powder to 1 Tbsp (and it was still plenty hot for me). It was absolutely scrumptious. I’m talking really, really yummy. And so easy to make. I especially loved the addition of lime and avocado at the end to brighten it up and cool it off a bit (I let each person add on their own). My whole family (including 11 y/o son) loved it. I’m thrilled to have a new vegetarian recipe to add to my repertoire. Bravo! And thank you for sharing such a delicious and healthful recipe. Can’t wait to see what else I find on your page.
Do you recommend washing the quinoa first? By the way, your website is my go to for recipes that I know will be flavorful and delicious! This recipe looks amazing; I cannot wait to try it!
Hi Angela! So happy that you found us. We do like to rinse quinoa before cooking when we make it plain (like rice). In this recipe, however, we do not find it to be necessary.
Hi Adam and Joann! The vegetarian chilli is now my absolute favorites. I have been trying out your vegetarian recipes and absolutely love them. I love that they are quick, easy, approachable and most of all delicious. Love your 1 pot vegetarian meals as they make life so much easier to meal prep and are honestly helping me go back to a mostly plant based diet. I am starting to enjoy home cooking again. Thanks so much and keep the vegetarian recipes coming.
I think I’ll try this recipe for walking tacos for Halloween. My daughter is vegan and I’m sure she’ll like this. Excited to try it.
Hello from Israel, this was delicious! I added a dollop of sour cream and some shredded cheddar cheese to serve, with sweet potato biscuits on the side. Another winning dish!
Hey! Can I replace the vegetable broth with water? Thanks!
Hi Kim, you can substitute veggie broth with water but we do recommend using a broth for the extra depth of flavor.
This is so delicious!!! I substituted the veggie broth with water and it’s perfect! Do you think next time I can add some cubes of firm tofu to the dish?
Hi Kim. so glad you enjoyed it. Yes, you adding tofu to this dish is a great idea.
This is the best chili EVER!!
The family loved the chili. It had such a great flavor and taste. I did have to cook it longer than the recipe for the carrots and sweet potatoes to soften. It was worth the wait. Will be sharing with friends.