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The Best Vegan Chili

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This vegan chili is incredibly rich and velvety and packed with layers of complex flavor, just like a classic chili should be. An easy homemade chili powder and slow simmering take this bean chili over the top.
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 1 hour 50 minutes
Total 2 hours
5 from 580 votes

No exaggeration, this is the best vegan or vegetarian chili you will ever try. Thanks to a few key techniques, this baby has layers of complex flavors and an incredible velvety texture.ย 

Most vegan chili recipes have you take so many shortcuts that you end up with a bowl of bean soup dressed up with some chili powder. But if youโ€™re willing to follow the steps in this recipe, youโ€™ll be rewarded with an authentic bean chili unlike any other.

In this post:
1. 5 Secrets for the best vegan chili
2. Step-by-step instructions
3. How to make homemade chili powder
4. Tips for making this chili
5. Frequently Asked Questions
6. Video Walkthrough

bowl of vegan chili with sour cream and cilantro

5 Secrets to Incredible Vegan Chili

1. Start with real chile peppers.

You might be tempted to use store-bought chili powder when making chili, but here’s why that’s a mistake (except in limited circumstances…more on that below!). Whole dried chile peppers, which are used to make homemade chili powder, add so much complexity in taste, the kind you can never achieve with store-bought chili powder.

Many dried chile peppers carry notes of fruit, berries, chocolate, coffee, and/or raisins, adding layers of rich flavors. And when you layer homemade chili powder with fresh jalapeรฑos and canned chipotle peppers, you get layer upon layer of complementary warming flavors: smoky, fruity, grassy, all in one bowl of chili.

If you don’t want to take my word for it, listen to what professional chefs say:

โ€œA bowl of chili starts with chiles.โ€

Texas-born chef Ben Berryhill for Fine Cooking

The best thing you can do to up your chili game is to leave those jars of pre-ground chili powder on the shelf. Starting your chili with real, honest-to-goodness whole dried chilies will save you money, while adding layer upon layer of complex flavor that you never thought was possible.”

J. Kenji Lรณpez-Alt for Serious Eats

I think a lot of people really aren’t aware of how much natural sugar exists in [dried chile] peppers…it’s almost like having dried fruit in your dishes. So definitely [using dried chile peppers] is a much better way to make this dish than with chili powder ’cause you won’t get that sweetness in a chili powder.” 

Rick Martinez for Bon Appetit

Plus, it only takes about 10-15 minutes to make chili powder, and it will stay fresh for 6 months. Which means you can make a killer chili whenever the mood strikes.

Note: Instructions for my homemade chili powder are in the second recipe card at the bottom of this post. While I think it’s worth making your own chili powder, I have tested this particular recipe with store-bought chili powder and it’s still great (because this recipe uses many other “secrets”/techniques to amp up the flavors).

If using pre-made chili powder, I recommend ancho chili powder (made from just ground ancho chile peppers). It’s more flavorful than the standard chili powder, which is a blend of seasonings.

homemade chili powder in a glass jar

2. Toast the spices

There are two reasons you should always toast your ground spices rather than just plopping them into liquid. 

First, many spices are bitter when uncooked (taste a pinch of ground cumin or oregano, and you’ll know what I mean). As a result, your final dish ends up with bitter notes. 

Two, when you toast spices first (in a bit of oil, usually after or along with the aromatics), you draw out their essential oils. This heightens the spice’s true flavor, so that you actually taste a hint of cumin or oregano in your final dish.

Takeaway: Always toast your ground spices (e.g., chili powder, cumin, oregano) before adding the liquid (e.g., vegetable broth) to draw out their flavor. The toasting will happen quickly, in about 30 seconds.

3. Boost the umami

Traditional chili has a ton of natural rich savory flavor from the meat. To add savory notes to vegetarian chili, it’s necessary to add in a little extra umami. In this chili, I do that in three ways.

First, cook tomato paste for a few minutes. This caramelizes it and unleashes the natural umami found in tomatoes, especially a concentrated form of tomato.

Second, add soy sauce, which lends a potent form of plant-based umami and saltiness that salt alone can’t bring.

Third, use whole peeled canned tomatoes and crush them by hand (they have more pure tomato flavor and no additives, compared to pre-diced or pre-crushed tomatoes).

Note: If you have vegan Worcestershire sauce on hand, it would be a great sub for the soy sauce.

4. Add some richness and body

Classic chili recipes are very rich, but many of the vegetarian chili recipes I tried online were more loose, like soup. To ensure my chili is very rich, I rely on a few ingredients.

First, red wine, which intensifies all the aromatics, spices, and chili peppers in a way that vegetable broth alone cannot. Also, it adds to the rich body of the chili (you’ll notice as the wine deglazes, the mixture becomes SO jammy). While beer is more traditional in chili, every time I’ve made chili with beer, it ends up too bitter for my taste.

Second, cocoa powder. It sounds funky, but lots of chili recipes actually add a small amount of dark chocolate or cocoa powder. Chocolate not only adds depth of flavor but also accentuates the fruitiness of the dried chili peppers.

Third, instead of using only pinto beans, I add in one can of navy beans. Since they’re so small, they partially disintegrate during simmering, which naturally thickens the chili.

Finally, masa harina, AKA Mexican corn flour. When stirred in at the end, it thickens the chili even more, gives it a velvety texture, and a nice subtle corn flavor. This chili recipe is already quite thick, so I’d say this ingredient is optional.

Takeaway: Chili should be rich both in taste and texture. Red wine, cocoa powder, and masa harina all contribute to that.

5. Slow simmering is key for texture and flavor

Many chili recipes (including a few of my old recipes!) tell you to simmer for just 30 minutes. You can get a good chili this way (if the other tips are followed), but chili is designed to be a slow-simmered dish.

This is because the flavors of chili always improve with a long, slow simmer. Slow simmering also contributes to a thicker, more unctuous consistency, so that every bite has the same flavor and texture (check out that velvety texture in the photo below!).

Takeaway: Gently simmer this chili for 1 1/2 hours (or up to 2 hours) for maximal flavor and the most luxurious texture.

velvety, rich vegan chili in a dutch oven on linen tablecloth

Step-by-step instructions

Gather your ingredients!

flatlay of ingredients for vegan chili

Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions with a pinch of salt. Cook until nicely golden brown, about 10 minutes.

Add the garlic, jalapeรฑos, and tomato paste. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the tomato paste darkens.

Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and Mexican oregano and stir vigorously for 30 seconds (for homemade chili powder, see the next section)

Deglaze the pot with the red wine, scraping up the browned bits.

Add the vegetable broth, and scrape up any additional browned bits. Add the pinto beans, navy beans, chipotle peppers in adobo, bay leaves, salt & pepper, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and soy sauce. Crush the tomatoes and add in.

Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours, stirring every 10 minutes, until thick and velvety.

Stir in the masa harina, if using, and simmer for 3 minutes, until further thickened.

Add the cilantro, lime juice, and vinegar. Taste, adding more maple syrup or lime juice as needed. Season with salt and pepper.

How to make homemade chili powder

I highly recommend making your own chili powder. It might seem daunting, but I promise it’s actually quite simple. If you’re unable to do this, substitute with store-bought ancho powder and check out the notes in the recipe card.

Where can I buy dried chili peppers?

You can find a variety of dried chile peppers at Mexican grocery stores, some standard grocery stores such as ALDI, as well as online. If buying online, I recommend the chili peppers from the brand Ole Rico. They are super fresh and have a much softer texture (an indicator of freshness) than other dried peppers I’ve tried. They also sell a three-pack of the exact variety of chili peppers I use in my chili powder! (affiliate link).

How to select dried chile peppers for chili powder

For complex yet balanced flavors, I use three different chile peppers. Check out the graphic below for the flavor profile, heat level, and substitutes for each chile pepper.

guajillo peppers, ancho peppers, and chile de arbols on wooden cutting board with labels and descriptions

Tip: You can tailor the spiciness with the amount of chile de arbols you add. Omit entirely for a mild chili powder (same heat level as a store-bought chili powder). Add 2 peppers for a moderate heat, or up to 5 peppers for a spicy, spicy(!) heat.

Tips for working with chile peppers

First, open up the peppers to remove the seeds and membranes (they’re bitter). I find it’s easiest to gently tear open the peppers with my hands, but some people use kitchen shears. Be sure to wash your hands afterwards (or wear food-safe gloves if you have sensitive skin).

Second, toast the peppers. It releases their natural oils and reinvigorates them, giving the chili powder (and final chili) more complex flavors. We tested this recipe with untoasted chile peppers and it was good, but lacked some of the warm depth of flavor and tasted overall lighter and less complex.

When toasting the peppers, watch them closely and cook very briefly, maybe 1 minute per side. If they blacken or scorch, they get bitter. Small peppers, like chile de arbol, don’t need much time–maybe 20-30 seconds per side.

Allow the chilies to cool before grinding them. You’ll need a spice grinder (affiliate link), a high-powered blender like a Vitamix, or a food processor. Grind the peppers with the toasted whole spices until pulverized. Add in your pre-ground spices, blend again, and that’s it!

bowl of vegetarian chili on green surface with cilantro and scallions

Tips for making this recipe

Balance the flavors:

A great chili should have “a rich, complex chile flavor that combines sweet, bitter, hot, fresh, and fruity elements in balance.”

J. Kenji Lรณpez-Alt, Serious Eats

The reason I add maple syrup to my chili is that it sweetness balances both the spiciness and bitterness inherent in chile peppers. I finish the chili with lime juice and vinegar because sour flavors also mellow bitter tastes; they also enhance the umami found in soy sauce and tomatoes.

It’s critical to taste the chili after it’s simmered to see what flavors it needs more or less of. If you use a store-bought ancho chili powder, for instance, your chili might be slightly less bitter. So you won’t need as much less lime juice or maple syrup to balance it out. 

Chili always tastes better the next day.

When chili rests overnight, the chili powder and spices have a chance to meld with the other flavors so you end up with a chili that has more harmonious flavors.

Adjust the heat to your tolerance.

As y’all probably know, I like my food very spicy. Here’s what I add to my chili, but this will be too spicy for most folks: 2 jalapeรฑos (with membranes); 2 chipotle peppers in adobo + 1 tablespoon adobo sauce; and for the homemade chili powder, I add ~ 3 chile de arbol peppers.

If you don’t love spicy food as much as I do, here are different ways to scale back on the heat.

Jalapeรฑos: use one pepper and remove the the membranes (I wouldn’t omit the jalapeรฑos entirely).

Chipotle peppers in adobo: use just 1 chipotle pepper and 1 teaspoon adobo sauce.

Homemade chili powder: omit the spicy chile de arbol peppers (or use just 1 to 2 of them).

vegan chili on green surface with cilantro and pickled onions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add vegan ground meat to this chili?

Sure! I prefer a bean-based chili without any faux meat, but adding vegan ground meat is a great option if you want to add a more traditional meaty texture or taste. We tested this recipe with Impossible Meat’s plant-based ground burger.

Option 1: Cook the onions until lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Add in your vegan ground meat and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until itโ€™s starting to brown, 8 to 10 minutes, adding a splash of water as needed to deglaze. Proceed with the rest of the recipe.

Option 2: Brown the vegan ground meat in a separate pan, then add it to the chili when you add the beans.

I don’t drink wine – can I omit it?

The alcohol does cook off, but if you don’t drink any alcohol, you can try replacing the red wine with 1/2 cup (120 mL) of red grape juice (no added sugar variety).

Or just deglaze with more vegetable broth. I’d suggest the best vegetable broth you can find. Imagine Organic is my favorite for store-bought veggie broth (rich and flavorful). For more deeply savory notes, you can try these “vegan chicken” or “vegan beef” broth powders (they are quite salty, so use less than the jar calls for) (affiliate links).

Your chili will have less complexity and body without the red wine, but it will still be good if you omit it!

How should I serve this chili?

With your favorite toppings, obviously! The toppings you choose help bring more balance to the final dish. For instance, vegan sour cream (I like Kite Hill or Tofutti brands) and avocado are great for cooling down the heat. Extra lime wedges and pickled onions bring a nice tanginess (find my recipe in the recipe card below). Cilantro and scallions offer a fresh contrast. Tortilla chips, obviously, add a nice crunch!

If you like adding a vegan cheese to your chili but don’t love store-bought shredded vegan cheese, a spoon of this Vegan Queso stirred in would be really good!

To stretch this chili further, serve it alongside warm corn tortillas (char the tortillas by placing them directly over a gas burner for ~20 seconds per side). Or, scoop over a bed of rice.

It’s also INCREDIBLE with my homemade cornbread, which adds the perfect slight sweetness to this chili.
vegan chili with cornbread

How do you store homemade chili powder? How long does it last?

In a glass jar in a dark place, like your pantry. When stored this way, it’ll stay good for 6 months!

How do you store and reheat this chili? Can you freeze it?

Simply store in an airtight container in the fridge for 5 to 6 days. You can reheat on the stove (my preference) or microwave.

And yes, chili freezes great for 3-4 months. I prefer to freeze it individual-sized portions (it defrosts much more quickly). These Souper Cubes in 1-cup or 2-cup portions are great for that (affiliate link)!

Can I make this oil-free?

There is really very little to no fat in this recipe besides the oil. I actually tried this recipe with half the amount of oil and it was less rich and harmonious in flavors. That’s because fat is an excellent carrier of flavor! The oil also enables the onions to get nicely golden brown and allows the full depth of flavor to be released from the spices.

I understand that some of my readers are oil-free, so if you must skip it, please stir some vegan sour cream or cashew cream in before serving!

bowl of vegetarian chili on green backgrop with pickled onions and sour cream

Watch! How to make vegan chili

How to make the best vegetarian chili of your life
How to make the best vegetarian chili of your life

That’s all you need to know about making this incredible vegan chili! If you love this recipe, please rate and review it below!

Big Vegan Flavor

Techniques and 150 recipes to master vegan cooking.

The Best Vegan Chili

5 from 580 votes
This vegan chili is incredibly rich and velvety and packed with layers of complex flavor, just like a classic chili should be. An easy homemade chili powder and slow simmering take this bean chili over the top.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Southwestern, Tex-Mex
Diet Vegan
Serving size: 6

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 6 garlic cloves, chopped finely
  • 2 jalapenos, diced (remove membranes for less heat)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 4 tablespoons homemade chili powder (recipe below), or store-bought ancho chili powder (see Note 1)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 ยฝ teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano (or 2 teaspoons regular oregano or marjoram) (See Note 2)
  • 3/4 cup (180 mL) dry red wine, such as Malbec, Syrah or Pinot Noir
  • 2 cups (480 mL) vegetable broth
  • 2 (15-ounce/425g) cans of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-ounce/425g) can of navy beans (or other small white beans), drained and rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (I prefer Dutch process cocoa powder)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 ยฝ tablespoons tamari or soy sauce if you have vegan Worcestershire sauce, you can use that
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, chop the peppers + measure out 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (See Note 3)
  • 1 (28-ounce/800g) can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand (include juices)
  • 1 ยฝ teaspoons kosher salt plus more as needed
  • Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, plus more to finish as needed (See Note 4)
  • 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 3 tablespoons masa harina (Mexican corn flour) (optional)
  • 1 cup (12g) cilantro leaves and tender stems, chopped

Toppings of choice

  • Vegan sour cream or diced avocado
  • Sliced scallions or chopped cilantro
  • Shredded vegan cheese or Vegan Queso
  • Quick Pickled Red Onions (See Note 5)

Instructions

  • Read all the instructions and notes before getting started, especially about moderating the spiciness level.
  • Heat a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, and once itโ€™s shimmering, add the onions and season with a few pinches of salt. Stir frequently and cook the onions until nicely golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. If they start to burn around the edges, stir more frequently and/or add a splash of water.
  • Add the garlic, jalapeรฑos, and tomato paste, and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring very frequently, until tomato paste is darker in color. If it starts to dry out, add a splash of water and scrape up any browned bits.
  • Stir in the chili powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano and stir vigorously for 30 seconds.
  • Pour in the red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer rapidly for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the smell of alcohol has cooked off and it's jammy.
  • Pour in the vegetable broth, pinto beans, navy beans, cocoa powder, bay leaves, soy sauce, chopped chipotle peppers + adobo sauce, hand-crushed tomatoes + their juices, salt, black pepper to taste, and 1 tablespoon maple syrup. Stir well.
  • Bring the chili to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer (this is lowest heat on my small burner). Take care to not boil or too rapidly simmer the chili, as it will break down the beans too much.
    Cook, stirring every 10 minutes, until thick and velvety and the flavors have melded together, about 1 1/2 hours (or up to 2 hours). Discard the bay leaf.
  • Stir in the masa harina, if using. Simmer for 3 minutes, until the texture has further thickened.
  • Stir in 1 tablespoon lime juice, the vinegar, and cilantro. Taste and add more lime juice as needed for tanginess and add up to 1 more tablespoon maple syrup for sweetness to balance any bitterness. Season with salt and pepper, as needed.
  • Serve with toppings of choice, such as pickled onions, chopped cilantro, sliced scallions, vegan sour cream, avocado, tortilla chips, etc.

Notes

This chili recipe is spicy, so here are ways to moderate the heat.
Jalapeรฑos: remove the the seeds and membranes and/or use 1 pepper instead of 2. Chipotle peppers in adobo: use 1 chipotle pepper + 1 tsp adobo sauce. Homemade chili powder: omit the spicy chile de arbol peppers (or use just 1).
Note 1: My homemade chili powder recipe is below. If using store-bought, I recommend an ancho chili powder (simply ground ancho peppers, in contrast to a standard chili powder which has other seasonings and is usually less flavorful).
Store-bought chili powder is not spicy, so you might want to make some adjustments: (1) you may not need as much maple syrup or lime juice to balance the flavors in step 8. (2) if you like your chili spicy(!), consider adding 3 jalapeรฑo peppers.ย 
Note 2: Mexican oregano (citrus, bright, floral) is most traditionally used in chili and better suited to Mexican dishes than standard/Mediterranean oregano (bitter, mint, peppery).ย If you don’t have Mexican oregano, sub with 2 teaspoons marjoram or standard oregano.ย 
Note 3: This is just 2 peppers from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, not 2 whole cans. If you’re looking for milder heat, use 1 pepper only and 1 teaspoon of adobo sauce.ย 
Note 4: You can use agave nectar or brown sugar if desired. If using a store-bought chili powder, you may not need as much sweetener to balance.ย 
Note 5: For quick pickled onions:ย 
  • Very thinly slice 1 medium red onion. Add to a large mason jar.ย 
  • Mix together freshly boiled water (3/4 cup or 180 mL) with 1/2 cup (120 mL) apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar. Add in 1 tablespoon organic cane sugar or maple syrup, stir until dissolved.ย 
  • Pour the hot liquid over the onions. Cool to room temperature, at least 30 minutes.ย 
  • You can serve now, but I prefer to refrigerate them for a more developed flavor

Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 1012mg | Potassium: 920mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2434IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 6mg

Big Vegan Flavor

Techniques and 150 recipes to master vegan cooking.

Homemade Chili Powder

4.9 from 387 votes
Making chili powder is easier than you think and this homemade chili powder made with three different dried chile peppers and lots of spices is packed with warming flavor. It makes for a much more complex, deeply flavored chili!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
15 minutes
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Mexican, Southwestern, Tex-Mex
Diet Vegan
Serving size: 12 tablespoons

Ingredients

  • 4 ancho peppers*
  • 4 guajillo peppers*
  • 2 to 5 chiles de arbol**
  • 2 tablespoons cumin seeds
  • 1/2 tablespoon coriander seeds optional
  • 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano (or 2 teaspoons regular oregano or marjoram)
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder or granulated garlic
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder or granulated onion
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • Using your fingers, remove the stem from each chili pepper and gently tear the peppers apart. You can use kitchen shears, but using your hands is easier. Be sure to wash your hands after handling the peppers, or wear food safe gloves if your skin is sensitive.
  • Once the peppers are open, loosen all of the seeds and any membranes, or scrape them out. This is necessary to minimize bitterness.
  • Heat a cast iron skillet or other heavy, dark pan over medium heat, but don't heat for too long. Add the larger chilies (anchos and guajillos) in a single layer without overlap. Toast just until fragrant, about 1 minute, maybe 1 1/2 minutes, then flip and toast for 30-60 seconds. Smaller peppers like chile de arbol need 30 to 45 seconds, so I toast those separately.***
    Take care not to scorch them or they will taste bitter. Remove and allow to cool completely. Take off the heat and allow to cool.
  • Add the cumin and coriander seeds to the hot pan. Toast until very fragrant, about 45 to 60 seconds, shaking the pan or stirring frequently to prevent burning, until toasty and aromatic. Remove and allow to cool.
  • Once cool, add the chile peppers and toasted whole spices to a spice grinder or high powered blender. If using a small spice grinder, tear up the chilies with your hands into smaller pieces and do this in two batches. Blend until the peppers and spices are pulverized.
  • Add the ground spices (oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cinnamon). Blend until a fine powder has formed. Allow the powder to settle before removing the lid.
  • Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. Makes 12 tablespoons, enough for 3 batches of this chili recipe.

Notes

*You can sub ancho peppers with guajillo, pasilla, mulato, or New Mexico red chile peppers. You can sub guajillos with ancho, pasilla, or mulato peppers. The flavors across these peppers aren’t all the same but will still yield a good chili powder.ย 
**Omit chiles de arbol entirely for a mild chili powder. Use 2 chiles de arbol for moderate heat. I typically use 4 or 5.ย 
***Ifย toasting peppers in two batches, lower the heat a bit after the first round because the pan will already be hot.

Calories: 51kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 281mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3523IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2mg

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4.95 from 580 votes (231 ratings without comment)

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912 comments on The Best Vegan Chili

  1. Jackie Roberts

    Is the oregano fresh or dried?

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Jackie, dried!

  2. Rachel Yu

    5 stars
    The title is not hyperbole. This is seriously not only the best vegan chili Iโ€™ve ever had but quite possible the best chili Iโ€™ve ever had period. So good and everyone who tried it loved it.

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Aww, thank you for such an awesome review, Rachel! :)

  3. Jeanette

    5 stars
    I make this fairly often with your skillet cornbread and a coleslaw. Its one of my most favorite recipes! You really have exceptional taste and a great understanding of spicing and cooking tricks. Thanks for making my vegan cooking tasty so I stay on track with my health. You are fun to watch too by the way.

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Jeanette, it’s so awesome to hear you’re such a fan of the chili :) Thank you for following RPL and trying the recipes. It’s awesome to know you’ve loved everything!

  4. Cara W

    5 stars
    I made this recipe for the first time today. My meat-loving family said it was the best chili I have ever made and that the flavors and seasonings were perfectly balanced. I served it with homemade sourdough bread, Violife plant based cheddar cheese shreds and Dairy-free cashew sour cream. So good! I canโ€™t wait for leftovers tomorrow. (Update: the leftovers where AMAZING!)

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Your review made our day, Cara! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and for trying out the recipe.

  5. David Miller

    5 stars
    This chili recipe is next level. I absolutely love the blend of flavors and the red wine is a pleasant addition. I will probably make this at least 5 times this winter season as it warms me right up. This last time, I made it for a Christmas potluck and it was a big hit.

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi David, So lovely to hear the chili is well-loved! Thank you so much for such a fantastic review, appreciate you taking the time!

  6. Michelle

    5 stars
    I loved this recipe! I was surprised how much I already had in the pantry and freezer to throw this one together. I added a vegan ground meat, used chilies and beans I grew and cleaned out some freezer space. Now Iโ€™m packing in individual servings back in the freezer for days I donโ€™t have the time/energy to cook. Thanks for the accidental meal prep too!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      We’re over the moon to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Michelle. Chili sounds like a lovely meal prep meal! Thanks for your kind words :)

  7. Nicole

    5 stars
    Even the omnivores loved it so much I didnโ€™t even have time to take a good photo for the recipe club! Definitely spicy so I enjoyed it with corn chips but I appreciate that this is very easily customizable.

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Weโ€™re so happy that the chili turned out well for you, Nicole. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and for trying out the recipe!

  8. Conny

    5 stars
    I have made this recipe several times now and it is my familie’s favorite vegan chilli. The only thing I changed were the peppers. I used all serrano peppers, because that’s what I had, and the recipe came out fantastic.
    Thanks for coming up with incredible flavorful vegan recipes, Nisha!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Your positive feedback is the best reward for our hard work. Thank you, Conny!

  9. Kristi Ison

    5 stars
    This recipe has so much flavor! Yum!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      We’re so happy you love it, Kristi!

  10. Indu

    5 stars
    Really delicious, thanks Nisha! I think this is currently my favorite vegan chilli recipe, lots of flavor and not that much effort required

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Indu, thank you so much for your kind review!

  11. Danielle C.

    5 stars
    I really enjoyed the smokey spicy flavor, even without the exact spices noted (since i didn’t have the Mexican oregano) the recipe came out very good. The time commitment did not work for me so i did have to though it in my express pot, it would be great if there were directions for this as i just guessed and got lucky!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Awesome, Danielle. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!

    2. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Danielle! We donโ€™t have an express pot so weโ€™re not able to provide instructions for that. Is that a slow cooker or pressure cooker?

  12. Scar

    5 stars
    I made this chili for my wedding reception and everyone absolutely loved it!! We had vegan guests and I wanted to make sure they had plenty of options. Well this chili was a hit with all types of diets!! We have actually made this 4 times in the past 3 months because we like it so much.

    *We did not use red wine at all and instead substituted additional broth for the liquid ratio. I don’t know what it tastes like with red wine but it tastes delicious without it so if you try to avoid cooking with alcohol I’ll tell you it’s very tasty still!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Weโ€™re so happy that the chili turned out well for you, Scar. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and for trying out the recipe!

  13. Maneesha

    I’m not sure if this is what meat-based chili is supposed to taste like. I followed this recipe to a T for our friendsgiving dinner and it was disappointing. The flavors are all too strong – extremely acidic and smoky, even though I only added one adobo pepper. The flavors of the beans and other spices were lost. For such a complicated and lengthy process, this recipe was not worth it and I certainly would not call it “the best vegan chili”.

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi Maneesha, we are sorry the recipe didn’t live up to your expectations. We hope you are able to try some of the other RPL recipes and they are more down your alley.

  14. Nataliya M

    5 stars
    I finally made a plant-based chili that my husband approves of! Need I say more?

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      That’s a win, Nataliya! Thanks for sharing :)

  15. Daragh O

    Very tasty meal and easy to customize depending on the veg/beans you have on hand. Super comforting, filling and wholesome dish that is perfect for hosting or enjoying on a cozy winter night. :)

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Thanks for the kind words, Daragh!

      Next time, would you mind leaving a rating alongside your review? Star ratings are big help to readers who are thinking of making the recipe. Thanks!

  16. Vic Groot

    5 stars
    Fantastic recipe – the base for my veggie or meat chilli.
    It is in my top 15 recipes!
    I add mushrooms, a bell pepper, carrots and sometimes corn or other left over veggies. For the veggie version I also add a soy based meat-like product like Yves Veggie Ground Round. With the additions it easily becomes 8 portions and as it freezes very well this is great for lunches and “instant” dinners.
    Add some sour cream if it is too spicy.

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Thanks for sharing, Vic! It’s awesome to hear you’re such a fan of the recipe!

  17. Lindsay

    5 stars
    I have made this chili a couple of times and itโ€™s a hit. This last time I left out the jalapeรฑos and itโ€™s still got a nice spicy kick to it just from the chipotle peppers and adobo sauce. Itโ€™s really hearty, flavorful, and simple to make. Love it!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      We’re over the moon to hear you love the recipe, Lindsay. Thanks for your kind words!

  18. Lindsay

    5 stars
    As the title of this post says, seriously the best vegan chili! I love this recipe, it is so warming, comforting and decadent. The pickled onions on top are amazing as well – I make those regularly to put on top of salads! Highly recommend this recipe for those cozy winter nights, you will not be left disappointed!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Lindsay, So glad to hear you loved this recipe!

  19. Jen

    5 stars
    The moment I saw cocoa powder in this recipe, I knew I had to try it! This recipe has such complex flavors & is so enjoyable in texture. I used different beans since that’s what I had on hand, and it was so easy to customize the level of heat. Your cornbread goes so well with this too! I also chopped up a roasted sweet potato to put in it one day, and added cashew cream & avocado another. I’ll definitely be making this again!

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      We appreciate your feedback and support, Jen. Thank you for leaving a review!

  20. ร‰nia

    4 stars
    It turned out good, although somewhat bitter, I believe it’s because I used 100% cocoa powder. Next time, might have to add more sugar.

    1. Kaitlin @ Rainbow Plant Life

      Hi ร‰nia, yes you can add more sugar and acidity to balance out the bitterness next time. We hope you get it just right on the next try!

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