Description
This Vegetarian Chili is a comforting, flavorful, and hearty plant-based meal packed with beans, vibrant vegetables, and rich spices. It’s easy to prepare and customizable, perfect for any season, delivering nourishing, indulgent comfort food in one pot.
Ingredients
Scale
Beans and Base
- 1 cup kidney beans, cooked or canned
- 1 cup black beans, cooked or canned
- 1 cup pinto beans, cooked or canned
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed or diced tomatoes (natural)
- 2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 2 cups vegetable broth
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Spices
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon natural gelling agent (e.g., pectin or agar), mixed into slurry
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Vegetables: Start by dicing the onion, bell peppers, and garlic. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and sauté the onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the bell peppers and cook for another 4 minutes to soften.
- Add the Spices: Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano. Stir well to coat the vegetables evenly and toast the spices for about a minute to release their essential oils and deepen the flavors.
- Layer in the Beans and Tomatoes: Add the kidney, black, and pinto beans along with the diced tomatoes (natural) and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly, creating the heart of the chili’s rich, hearty base.
- Pour in Vegetable Broth and Simmer: Add vegetable broth to partially cover the mixture. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes to meld flavors and reduce liquid.
- Thicken with Natural Gelling Agent: Mix a small amount of natural gelling agent into cold water to create a smooth slurry, then stir it into the simmering chili. Continue to cook for another 5 to 10 minutes until the chili reaches the desired thickness.
Notes
- Use quality canned beans and rinse thoroughly to reduce sodium.
- Layer your spices for a complex, balanced flavor profile.
- Let chili rest for 10 minutes off heat to deepen flavors.
- Adjust seasoning last by tasting and tweaking salt or vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural).
- Use one large pot to simplify cleanup and flavor melding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: vegetarian chili, plant-based meal, beans, healthy chili, gluten-free, easy dinner, cozy meal
