Flavorful Vegetarian Chili
Published 10/23/2021 • Updated 7/14/2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Vegetarian Chili so tasty you won’t even know it’s meatless. This vegetarian chili recipe is made with beans, sweet potato (our secret ingredient), diced tomatoes, and a delicious homemade chili seasoning.
I’m a sucker for a good chili recipe, especially on cool fall days or when I need to make a big pot of something to feed a lot of people. This stovetop vegetarian chili is ready in less than 30 minutes and is made with extra veggies (I’m looking at you sweet potatoes and bell pepper).
I love that this recipe is made with pantry staples and our famous homemade chili seasoning blend which is what really makes this a Fit Foodie chili recipe.
What is Vegetarian Chili Made Of?
Vegetarian chili is a red chili made of beans, tons of veggies, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, jalapeños and chili spices.
The secret ingredient(s)
Wondering what the secret ingredient is to this chili? Well, there are two of them! The first one is maple syrup. A little sugar does wonders for chili. The second is apple cider vinegar. Vinegar really helps balance out all the flavors and make it taste so yummy.
Make your vegetarian chili spicy!
Are you a fan of spicy chili? You can easily make this chili spicy by adding any of the following:
- Green chiles: these are definitely a mild chili, but it does add a bit of spice.
- Jalapeño seeds: while there are already diced jalapeños in this recipe, you can make it even spicier by adding some of the seeds.
- Hot sauce: swap out the apple cider vinegar for some Frank’s hot sauce.
- Cayenne pepper: this is a great spice to add to really up the heat. Start small and go from there.
How can I thicken my vegetarian chili?
The best way to thicken chili is to let it sit. It sounds strange, but chili is always thicker the next day. If you just can’t wait – here’s how to thicken chili.
- Tomato paste: tomato paste is a great way to add flavor and thicken your chili at the same time. Add a few tablespoons and let your soup simmer for about 15 minutes. It should start to thicken up.
- Flour: flor is another good way to chicken chili. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
When in doubt, chili always thickens as it sits in the refrigerator. So, when in doubt, you can just refrigerate it and it will thicken naturally.
Topping Ideas
Chili isn’t chili without the toppings! You can keep it super simple like we did with shredded cheddar cheese and green onion or you can get fancy. Here are some more ideas:
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Fresh cilantro
- Avocado
- Tortilla chips
- Lime juice
Instant Pot Instructions
You can absolutely make this chili in the Instant Pot. We recommend using our Vegan Instant Pot Chili recipe as a guideline for how to cook it.
Long story short, cook it on high pressure for around 7 minutes with a quick release.
Slow Cooker Instructions
To make this chili in the slow cooker, place all ingredients into your crockpot and stir. Cover and let cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8. The key is to take it off the heat once the sweet potatoes are at the desired texture.
Storage Instructions
Let your chili cool completely. Then, transfer it into an airtight container and seal. Refrigerate for up to 3-5 days.
Reheating Instructions
We always recommend reheating the same way that you cooked it. So, transfer your chili back into a medium pot and reheat over medium heat until hot.
How to Freeze Chili
Chili is a fantastic meal to freeze. Make sure to let your chili chill completely before transferring it into a plastic container or freezer-safe gallon-size bag. Remove as much air as possible and seal. Then, freeze for up to 3 months. You can find a complete guide to how to freeze soup and chili HERE.
How to Serve Your Chili
This vegetarian chili is a great meal-prep option because it serves 6 so that you can eat it all week long! There are so many different ways to eat your chili on days 2 and 3. Here are a few ideas:
Chili Nachos: dump a bag of your favorite tortilla chips on a baking sheet. Then, top it with vegetarian chili, shredded cheese, jalapenos, and black olives. Broil it until the cheese melts and enjoy.
Chili Baked Potatoes: this is my personal way to eat chili on day 2. Make either a baked potato In foil or a baked sweet potato and then top it with your chili and some shredded cheese.
Chili and Eggs: yes, this is a thing. Fry up a few eggs and top them with your chili.
Best Vegetarian Chili (with sweet potatoes!)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, minced
- 1 large bell pepper, finely diced (any color)
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, diced
- 1-2 tablespoon minced jalapeño*, we used canned
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 15 oz. canned tomato sauce
- 30 oz. canned diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1/4 cup homemade chili seasoning
- 30 oz. canned white northern beans, drained and rinsed
Instructions
- Begin by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large stockpot over medium/high heat.
- When olive oil is fragrant, add onion, bell pepper, sweet potato, jalapeño, and garlic. Saute for around 5 minutes or until the onion starts to become translucent.
- Add the rest of the ingredients but the beans and bring to a boil over medium/high heat.
- Once boiling, turn chili down to low and cover.
- Let simmer for around 15 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are easily pierced with a fork.
- Finally, add in beans and stir. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Serve with your favorite chili toppings.
Tips & Notes
- Jalapeño: add more or less depending on spice preference.
- Nutrition information does not include toppings.
- Slow Cooker Instructions: Cover and let cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8. The key is to take it off the heat once the sweet potatoes are at the desired texture.
- Instant Pot Instructions: cook it on high pressure for around 7 minutes with a quick release.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Don’t forget to tag your posts on social media with the hashtag #fitfoodiefinds, we’d love to see what you’re up to!
I was lucky enough to have this made for me and WOW I could eat it everyday!!! Its a must try, and although I was just a bystander it didn’t look too difficult to make 🙂
“flor is another good way to chicken chili”
What was going on when this sentence was being written hahahah, 3 mistakes in only 8 words, impressive!
I’ve never heard of white northern beans, are there different names for it? And can I sub them for cannellini beans? Thanks!
It’s pretty much the same thing!!