Hearty Vegan Chili

Hearty Vegan chili with fresh vegetables and legumes. This is one of the most flavorful chili dishes you will ever taste. Made mild or hot to your liking.

I’ve been making this hearty vegan chili for years now and though I’m always searching for great chili recipes, this is the one I come back to as my favorite. The original recipe has quite a lot of heat but you can easily make it as hot or as mild as you want. I received this recipe from my friend, Amanda, and I still marvel at her email about the recipe where she tells me, “We recommend cutting down on the chipotle and only adding one to one and a half tablespoons. We added two and a half and it was really spicy but we love spice”… Let me say in all the times I’ve made this, I cannot even come close to one tablespoon, let alone TWO AND A HALF?! And I’m not afraid of a little heat. So let me caution you – when you’re adding the chipotles in adobo sauce to this recipe, be careful. These chiles have a great smokey heat, but a little goes a long way. I only add a couple of TEASPOONS and it’s still plenty spicy. If you don’t like your chili to be spicy, I still recommend adding at least one teaspoon, even if you’re feeding kids. One teaspoon jazzes things up just enough without adding any noticeable heat. And you can always serve more on the side for those with an impressive love for all things spicy!

Ingredients in Hearty Vegan Chili

• Olive oil or avocado oil – A healthy base for sautéing vegetables, adding richness and depth of flavor.

• Yellow onion – Chopped onion provides savory sweetness and the essential foundation for chili.

• Carrot – Adds natural sweetness, hearty texture, and boosts nutrition in every bite.

• Celery – Classic chili vegetable that brings freshness and balance to the bold spices.

• Green bell pepper – Earthy and slightly bitter, green pepper adds color and authentic chili flavor.

• Red bell pepper – Sweeter than green, red bell pepper balances the spice with vibrant flavor and color.

• Garlic cloves – Freshly chopped garlic adds pungent, aromatic depth that enhances every layer of the chili.

• Chipotles in adobo – Smoky, spicy peppers that bring bold heat and a signature smoky kick. Use sparingly or omit for a milder chili.

• Dried oregano – Adds herbal warmth and a hint of earthiness to complement the chili spices.

• Ground cumin – Essential in chili, cumin provides smoky, savory depth and enhances the beans and tomatoes.

• Chili powder – A blend of mild heat and robust spice that gives chili its signature flavor.

• Sea salt – Balances flavors and enhances the natural taste of the vegetables and beans.

• Diced tomatoes (canned with liquid) – Provide a juicy, tangy base and rich tomato flavor that binds the chili.

• Tomato sauce – Adds smooth texture, concentrated flavor, and helps thicken the chili.

• Red kidney beans – Hearty and protein-rich, kidney beans make this vegan chili filling, nutritious, and satisfying.

  How to Make Hearty Vegan Chili

  Start by heating oil in a large pot, then sauté onion, carrot, celery, green and red bell peppers, and garlic until softened and fragrant. Stir in chipotles, oregano, cumin, chili powder, and salt, letting the spices bloom for rich flavor. Add diced tomatoes with their liquid, tomato sauce, and water, then bring the chili to a gentle simmer. Let it cook uncovered for about 45 minutes so the flavors deepen and meld together. Stir in kidney beans and simmer for another 10–15 minutes until the chili is thick and hearty.

  For serving, garnish each bowl with fresh green onions, creamy avocado slices, or spicy jalapeños for extra flavor and texture.

It’s hard to believe that this recipe is completely vegan because it’s one of the most hearty chili recipes I make, and did I already mention, my favorite chili? Your topping options are limitless, of course- offer green onions, jalapenos, avocados or guacamole, and we also like it served over baked sweet potatoes. For vegetarian options, also offer sour cream and cubes of sharp cheddar.

If you’re watching your calories, each serving has only 230 calories and 0.5 grams of saturated fat. Natural sugar content is about 7 grams per serving which comes from the tomatoes and tomato sauce. This recipe is super high in protein at 11 grams per serving. Super healthy, hearty and satisfying. What more could you ask for?

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5 from 4 votes

Hearty Vegan Chili

This vegan chili recipe is colorful and satisfying. Hearty as any chili recipe with meat, easy to make mild or wildy spicy. Naturally low is saturated fat and calories, serve in bowls or over baked sweet potatoes.

Course Chili

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Calories 229

Author Good Dinner Mom

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• 2 Tablespoons olive, or avocado oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 large carrot, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 medium green bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
• 1 medium red bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons up to 3 Tablespoons finely chopped chipotles in adobo. Be careful, if you haven't used this before. Chipotles in adobo have a wonderful flavor but add A LOT of heat! Feel free to leave it out
• 1 Tablespoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 Tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1- 28 ounce can diced tomatoes, with their liquid
• 1- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
• 3 cups cooked or canned red kidney beans, drained

Topping Options:

• Green onions, jalapeños, avocados or guacamole

Vegetarian Topping Options:

• Sour cream and grated cheddar cheese
• 1 ½ cups cooked or canned black beans, drained

Instructions

• Heat 2 Tablespoons oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• Add 1 onion, 1 carrot, 1 celery, 1 green pepper, 1 red pepper and 4 finely chopped cloves garlic and cook 10 to 12 minutes, until vegetables are softened.
• Add 2 teaspoons chipotles, 1 Tablespoon oregano, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 Tablespoon chili powder and 2 teaspoons salt. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add 28 ounces diced tomatoes and liquid, 15 ounces tomato sauce and 4 cups of water. Gently simmer over low heat, uncovered, for 45 minutes.
• Add 3 cups beans and simmer an additional 10-15 minutes.
• Garnish individual bowls with green onions, jalapenos, and avocados, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Hearty Vegan Chili

Amount Per Serving

Calories 229 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 3g

Sodium 1031mg45%

Potassium 713mg20%

Carbohydrates 35g12%

Fiber 12g50%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 12g24%

Vitamin A 2966IU59%

Vitamin C 47mg57%

Calcium 84mg8%

Iron 5mg28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.