Vegan Chili Recipe (Dutch Oven) (2024)

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A hearty, Make-Ahead and freezer friendly Vegan Chili recipe with Corkscrew pasta, kidney beans, veggies and homemade refried beans

Disclaimer: I made this recipe as a guest post for Juggling Act Mama’s Blog. Reprinted here with permission.

We all love chili, am I right? It could be a vegan chili, vegetarian chili or meat chili.

It doesn’t matter, we love our chili!

Today’s vegan chili recipe is very special because I made it in the Dutch oven and it came out so good! Best part is that I had to put in very little effort!

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Tips for making this vegan chili in the Dutch oven

  • For this recipe, I used a large Dutch oven (6.5Qt) to make the chili. This will fit all the ingredients easily and not crowd the Dutch oven.
  • Make your life easier by buying pre-cut vegetables like celery and butternut squash. Why spend an hour cutting these veggies when you can easily get them from your local supermarket! Spend that hour watching your favorite streaming show.
  • I always use low salt in my recipes. This is an endless complaint from my family members, lol. So, I recommend you do a taste test at the end to make sure that the salt is just right for you.
  • Be sure to rinse the kidney beans thoroughly before adding to the chili. When they come out of the can, they are salty and slimy. That salty slime ruins the taste of chili.
  • Don’t refrigerate the chili until you have cooled it completely. Let it cool to room temperature before transferring to freezer-friendly containers.
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What are the best beans to use in this chili recipe?

  • Red Kidney Beans (My favorite!)
  • Pinto beans
  • Black beans
  • Red beans
  • Lentils
  • Chick peas
  • Black Eyed Peas

Can I freeze this vegan chili?

Yes! This is the best part of the vegan chili. It tastes good the next day and the day after and 6 months later.

The thing you need to make sure is that you put it in freezer friendly containers. I make sure I use glass containers because they are the best way to freeze and later, thaw the chili.

If you have leftovers, you can put them into tacos.

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I also make sure I freeze the chili in individual sized containers because they are easy to thaw out. So, if I need to feed only 2 people, I don’t have to thaw out 6 servings of it, just to get 2 servings. Does that make sense?

I have saved chili for 4 months and it tasted so good at the 121st day mark. It tasted just like the day it was made. I would kiss whoever invented the refrigerator because they have made my life so much easier!

The other thing I like to make sure is that I have put the date on the container. This chili was made on 3-25-19 for Ang’s blog, so, that’s why it is dated almost 8 months ago.

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Why do you use refried beans in this chili recipe?

Refried beans thicken this chili and gives it that “meaty” texture. Trusts me, the refried beans are the best part of this chili.

If you can find vegan refried beans in the grocery store, go for it. But, I haven’t found vegan refried beans in a long time. Around my area, I have seen vegetarian but not vegan refried beans.

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I can get refried beans (affiliate link) from Amazon, but, its much easier to make them at home. I made my own refried beans in the pressure cooker which is super easy to make. The best part is that I got to add some unconventional ingredients.

If you are not sure about what ingredients are vegan friendly, check out my complete guide on what vegans eat and don’t eat.

What should I use to cook this chili?

Vegan chili can be cooked in:

  • Dutch oven (my favorite option because its so easy and tastes delicious)
  • Slow Cooker
  • Pressure cooker / Instant pot
  • Stove top (this is an easy way to make it, but, it needs lots of attention)
  • Cast iron put into the oven

Which device is your favorite to cook the vegan chili?

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How to make vegan chili

– Preheat oven to 400 degrees

– Place dutch oven on stove and heat on medium heat. I always makes sure the dutch oven is warm before I add any ingredients

– Add the oil and onions, cook for about 4 minutes on medium until they are translucent

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– Add grated garlic to the Dutch oven

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Add chopped celery to the onions in the Dutch oven

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– Next, add green Bell Peppers, julienned

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– Add 1lb (16oz) cubed butternut squash

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– Add red kidney beans into the Dutch oven (cooked, from a can, drained)

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– Open one can of Fire-roasted tomatoes and put them into the Dutch oven

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– Add the dried spices (Thyme, dill, marjoram, cumin-coriander powder and chili powder)

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– Add uncooked corkscrew pasta (or any thick pasta) and water. Mix well

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– Add 2 Bay Leaves and close the lid

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– Place the Dutch Oven in the oven and cook for 90 Min. Turn off the oven

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– After 90 min, open the Dutch oven just enough so that you can remove the bay leaves

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– Add refried beans, lemon pepper and lemon juice to the Dutch oven. Mix well

– Place it back into the oven. The oven will still be hot, so, no need to turn it on

– Remove after 10 Min, mix it and this vegan chili is ready to serve

How this recipe came to be

Ang is an uber talented blogger, cook, mother, crafting genius and all around sweet person. She is an amazing talent and always ready to aid other bloggers

Recently, she put out a call for guest bloggers to bring their expertise to her readers. I knew immediately that I have to accept the challenge.

She told me that her readers love a make-ahead recipe that they can refrigerate and use it later in the week. That concept appealed to me instantly!

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My mind went to a vegan chili recipe which was hearty, spicy and delicious!!! I think chili is the best make-ahead, freezer friendly that tastes just as good on day 7! Ang loved the idea and so, I went to work testing it immediately

For this recipe, I did 2 very unique things. One has to do with the addition of pasta and the other has to do with the use of a Dutch Oven to make it.

The Dutch oven is the PERFECT device for making this vegan chili recipe. This is because it slowly simmers and melds all the flavors together.

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If you are not following me on Instagram, you are missing out on all the teasers I send out about upcoming recipes. See this recipe and all the my past + upcoming recipe teaser under the “Coming Soon” Highlight

More chili recipes

I have 2 vegetarian chili recipes that can easily be made vegan. Just remove the dairy products from it.

Beet Chili

Vegetarian Chili Made With Beets

This hearty vegetarian chili is made with roasted beets and beans

Check out this recipe

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3 Bean Chili

Hearty 3 Bean Chili

Make a hearty vegan 3 bean chili using cargamanto beans, black beans and small red beans. It's the ideal chili for your cookouts, tailgating parties or game day parties.

Check out this recipe

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Easy Dutch oven recipes

If you are in love with your Dutch oven like me, here are a couple other recipes you can try. Send me your favorite Dutch oven recipes.

Vegan Sausage Stew

Vegan Sausage Stew

A creamy and hearty vegan sausage stew made with vegan sausage, sweet potatoes, leeks and red kidney beans. This stew is the perfect vegan comfort food.

Check out this recipe

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Vegan Paella

How To Make Vegan Paella

A simple vegan paella recipe made using paella and cooked in a dutch oven

Check out this recipe

Vegan Chili Recipe (Dutch Oven) (24)

Creole Potatoes

Creole Potatoes and Peas

Creole potatoes and peas with a sinful amount of creole seasoning. These potatoes are cooked in the Dutch Oven and require almost no effort

Check out this recipe

Vegan Chili Recipe (Dutch Oven) (25)

Vegan Chili Recipe (Dutch Oven) (26)

Vegan Chili

Rini

How to make a hearty vegan chili using pasta, red beans and refried beans. This vegan chili is made in the Dutch oven

Go Ahead, Rate it now!

Print Recipe Pin RecipeSave

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 5 people

Calories 241.94 kcal

Equipment

  • 6 Quart Dutch Oven

  • Soup Ladle

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees

  • Place dutch oven on stove and heat on medium heat. I always makes sure the dutch oven is warm before I add any ingredients

  • Add the oil and onions, cook for about 4 minutes on medium until they are translucent

  • Add grated garlic to the Dutch oven

  • Add chopped celery to the onions in the Dutch oven

  • Next, add green Bell Peppers, julienned

  • Add 1lb (16oz) cubed butternut squash

  • Add red kidney beans into the Dutch oven (cooked, from a can, drained)

  • Open one can of Fire-roasted tomatoes and put them into the Dutch oven

  • Add the dried spices (Thyme, dill, marjoram, cumin-coriander powder and chili powder)

  • Add uncooked corkscrew pasta (or any thick pasta) and water. Mix well

  • Add 2 Bay Leaves and close the lid

  • Place the Dutch Oven in the oven and cook for 90 Min. Turn off the oven

  • After 90 min, open the Dutch oven just enough so that you can remove the bay leaves

  • Add refried beans, lemon pepper and lemon juice to the Dutch oven. Mix well

  • Place it back into the oven. The oven will still be hot, so, no need to turn it on

  • Remove after 10 Min, mix it and this vegan chili is ready to serve

Video

Notes

Nutrition info is approximate

Nutrition

Calories: 241.94kcal

Keyword how to make vegan chili, What can you make in the Dutch oven

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Vegan Chili Recipe (Dutch Oven) (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making good chili? ›

Rumi Spice's top tips for making chili:
  1. Brown the Meat.
  2. Don't Forget Vegetables.
  3. Elevate with Extra Flavor.
  4. Only Add Flavorful Liquids.
  5. Opt for Dried Beans.
  6. Season Early and Often.
  7. Add Some Acidity at the End.
  8. Top It Off.

What can you substitute for meat in chili? ›

Here are just a few ideas.....
  • An extra can of beans (pinto, kidney, or black)
  • Seitan.
  • Bulgur.
  • Portobella Mushrooms.
  • My Cauliflower Taco Crumbles.
  • Butler Soy Curls.
  • Any of the new burger crumble products in the store.
Jan 15, 2023

Should chili be soupy or thick? ›

Traditionally, we expect a robust, spicy base, meat and/or beans, perhaps some bonus veggies, and a thick, rich consistency. Unlike soups, which are brothy, or even bisques, which are creamy yet thinner, chili is meant to be more stew-like; it's a definite stick-to-your-ribs creation.

How do you thicken vegan chili? ›

You can use polenta, arrowroot powder (a gluten-free vegetable root flour), or masa harina as a thickening agent if you don't have cornmeal. In Latin American cooking, chefs use masa harina—a type of cornflour—to make tamales and tortillas.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

Why do you put vinegar in chili? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

What to add when chili is missing something? ›

Stirred into the pot right before serving, a spoonful of vinegar brightens up the finished product, and gives it that full, rounded taste that was missing. Even if the chili recipe you're using doesn't call for vinegar, go ahead and add it anyway.

What is the most flavorful meat for chili? ›

What is the best meat for chili? The best meat for chili depends on the type you're making, but professionals generally use a combination of ground chuck, brisket, short ribs, or diced tri-tip sirloin mixed with bacon and sausage to layer multiple textures and flavors.

What happens if you don't brown meat for chili? ›

For those with this question in the future, the answer summed up: browning adds more flavor. Not browning the beef beforehand results in greasy chili and boiled mushy yucky beef.

What adds depth of flavor to chili? ›

You can always add additional spices to taste, but this could give you a solid foundation to work from. Try adding spices like paprika, chili powder, cumin, coriander, Mexican oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon, cayenne, or even chipotle.

Why do you put cornmeal in chili? ›

Cornmeal does an excellent job of absorbing extra liquids so adding a tablespoon of it to the chili will thicken the final dish. Mix 2 parts of cold water and 1 part of cornmeal, make it a slurry, and add this to the pot. Allow it to simmer for about 10 minutes after you add the slurry.

What liquid to add to chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

What is vegan chili made of? ›

This Vegan Chili is a moderately-spiced, tomato-y stew loaded with chunks of celery, onion, green bell pepper, and carrot. Spices like ancho chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic, and cayenne pepper add some body to the chili, while kidney beans and pinto beans give a hearty and creamy texture.

Does almond flour thicken chili? ›

Almond flour makes a great thickener for a sauce but don't expect it to act the same as traditional flour. You'll need to cook off excess liquid to achieve a thicker consistency. For a smoother sauce, puree mixture after cooking.

Does tomato sauce thicken chili? ›

Add tomato paste: Use up to one can of tomato paste in the last hour of cooking to thicken a pot of chili. Simmer for at least 30 minutes. This is not only a thickener, but it also lends plenty of rich tomato flavor.

Does sugar make chili taste better? ›

Now for the piece de resistance: 1-2 heaping Tablespoons brown sugar. The chili tastes completely different without the brown sugar so if you like a subtle sweetness in your chili then you've just got to go for it! Trust me, it will not make your chili taste like candy.

What does coffee do for chili? ›

This is why adding coffee—or even beer—to your chili will produce a result that works. Using coffee in the mix adds all the subtle flavor notes you love—like the subtle hints of chocolate and cherry from Death Wish Coffee. Beer, meanwhile, incorporates a light, malty sweetness.

How important is oregano in chili? ›

Oregano is an important herb in chilli con carne. The oregano that you'll most commonly find is the Mediterranean kind, commonly found in Greek and Italian cooking.

What makes the best chili meat? ›

When making chili, former Southern Living Test Kitchen Director, Robby Melvin, recommends using a mix of ground chuck and ground sirloin. "It's the best of both worlds," he says. "You get a balanced lean-to-fat ratio from the chuck and the hearty, beefy leanness from the sirloin."

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