Description
Hearty Mexican-inspired vegan chili delivers robust flavors that dance across taste buds with smoky beans and rich vegetables. Balanced spices and plant-based ingredients create a comforting meal where you can savor each satisfying spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein Base:
- 4 cups cooked beans (kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, white beans)
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 1 green pepper (chopped)
- 1 medium carrot (grated)
- 5–6 medium fresh tomatoes (or 1 (20 ounces / 567 grams) can)
- 1–2 hot red chili peppers
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 5 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups water (or vegetable broth)
- 2 teaspoons coconut sugar (or brown sugar or maple syrup)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.75 teaspoon salt (or less if using vegetable broth)
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons oil of choice (for frying)
Instructions
- Prepare aromatics by heating oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté chopped onions and green peppers for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until aromatic.
- Introduce diced tomatoes and allow them to reduce for 3-5 minutes, breaking down their texture and concentrating flavors.
- Combine vegetable broth, beans, tomato paste, coconut sugar, and spices into the pot. Thoroughly mix ingredients and raise heat to initiate simmering.
- Simmer chili for 30 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent sticking. Adjust liquid consistency by adding more broth if mixture becomes too dense.
- Create creamy texture by using an immersion blender to puree 1-1½ cups of chili. Reintegrate blended portion back into main pot, stirring to distribute smoothly.
- Conduct final seasoning assessment, tasting and adjusting salt, pepper, and cayenne levels to enhance overall flavor profile. Ensure balanced and vibrant taste before serving.
Notes
- Boost Flavor Depth by roasting the spices in the oil before adding other ingredients, which releases their essential oils and intensifies the overall taste profile.
- Create Texture Variation by partially blending some beans, leaving others whole, ensuring a rich and interesting mouthfeel without losing the chunky chili experience.
- Enhance Protein Content by adding plant-based protein sources like quinoa, lentils, or textured vegetable protein for extra nutrition and heartiness.
- Customize Heat Levels easily by adjusting cayenne pepper or adding fresh jalapeños, allowing each person to control their spice tolerance without compromising the base recipe.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg