Vegetarian Chili, a delightful Mexican American creation, is a creamy and moderately spiced dish brimming with fresh flavors. This homemade recipe skillfully blends vegetables, beans, aromatics, cream cheese, vegetable broth, and the ideal chili seasoning for a taste experience akin to classic beef chili and white chicken chili. It's a versatile dish, easily adaptable to a vegan diet.
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Ideal for lunch or dinner, this chili is elevated when served with toppings like avocado, tortilla chips, a blend of cheeses, coriander leaves, and sour cream. Whether it's a cozy meal on a cold winter day, a satisfying option for game night dinners, or a healthy choice rich in fiber and protein, this vegetarian chili is a crowd-pleaser. Its flavors deepen when enjoyed the next day, making it perfect for meal prep.
For those who love hearty Mexican fare, consider pairing this chili with our Mexican drinks recipes, including atole, Mexican hot Chocolate, and cafe de olla, for a complete dining experience.
Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
This Vegetarian Chili recipe calls for simple pantry staples and fresh produce, readily available in most grocery stores. Here's a breakdown of the ingredients and possible substitutions:
- Beans: The recipe uses kidney and pinto beans. Feel free to substitute with white beans, black beans, or a mix of these.
- Tomato: Crushed tomatoes are essential for a balanced sweet and tangy flavor.
- Chili Seasoning: A crucial mix of chili powder or paprika, coriander powder, ground black pepper, and cumin powder. Smoked paprika can be used for a smoky twist.
- Cream Cheese: Adds a rich, creamy texture to the chili.
- Bay Leaves: These infuse a mild peppery mint flavor into the dish.
- Aromatics: Onion and garlic contribute sweet and warm notes.
- Veggies: Carrots and red bell pepper are used, but celery ribs, mushrooms, shredded soy, or tempeh are great alternatives for extra flavor.
- Broth: A flavorful addition that shouldn't be skipped.
- Green Chili: Jalapeño peppers add unique flavor and heat, adjust the quantity to suit your taste.
- Toppings: Avocado, sour cream, tortilla chips, coriander leaves, lime wedges and juice, and cheese blends are perfect for garnishing.
How to make Vegetarian Chili?
Dive into the delightful world of Vegetarian Chili with our step-by-step recipe, accompanied by helpful photos and a video guide. Follow along to create this comforting and flavorful dish that's perfect for any occasion.
Explore a Variety of Tasty Soup Recipes:
- White Chicken Chili
- Turkey Chili
- Chicken and Rice Soup
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- Chicken Ramen
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Vegetarian Chili
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 2 tbsp Garlic, chopped
- 2 Jalapeno, chopped
- ¼ cup Onion, chopped
- ¼ cup Red Bell Pepper, chopped
- ¼ cup Carrot, chopped
- 1 tsp Chili Powder , or paprika (for less heat)
- 2 tbsp Coriander Powder
- ½ tsp Cumin Powder, could increase upto ¾ tsp
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- 15 oz Crushed Tomato
- 15 oz Kidney Beans
- 15 oz Pinto Beans
- 2 cup Vegetable Broth
- 4 oz Cream Cheese
- 3 tbsp Coriander Leaves, + for topping
- ½ Lime, juice from ½ lime
- Avocado, for topping
- Sour Cream, for topping
- Tortilla Chips, for topping
- Cheese Blend, for topping
- Salt, as needed
Instructions
To make Vegetarian Chili
- Start by heating some oil in a pan over medium heat. Toss in the bay leaves, garlic, jalapeno, and onion, and sauté them until the onion becomes soft.
- Next, add the red bell pepper and carrots, and sprinkle in a bit of salt. Continue to cook until they become soft.
- Now, it's time for the spices. Add the chili powder or paprika, coriander powder, cumin powder, and black pepper. Stir everything together until the mixture is fragrant.
- Mix in the crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, and pinto beans. Make sure everything is well combined.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and give it a good stir. Let the mixture simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Now, add the cream cheese. Stir it gently until it completely melts into the chili.
- Finally, add a fresh touch with coriander leaves and the juice of half a lime. Give everything a final mix. Your Vegetarian Chili is now ready to be savored!
To Serve
- Enjoy Vegetarian Chili topped with avocado, cheese blend, sour cream, tortilla chips, and coriander leaves. It also pairs well with cornbread, baked potatoes, nachos, tacos, Mexican rice, roasted potatoes, and guacamole for a versatile meal experience.
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Optimal Flavor and Taste: Use vegetable broth as the cooking liquid for your chili. It's key to achieving the best taste and flavor, so it's worth not substituting this ingredient.
- Beans and Veggies Selection: Choose from a variety of beans like black, pinto, kidney, and white beans. Pair them with veggies such as carrots, mushrooms, and celery ribs to enrich the flavor and nutrition of your chili.
- Vegan Adaptation: For a vegan-friendly chili, simply omit the cream cheese and cheese blends from the recipe.
- Thickening the Chili: While cream cheese adds creaminess, consider blending a portion of the beans (about ¼ cup reserved before cooking) for an even creamier texture.
- Flavor Enhancements: Introduce additional layers of flavor to your chili by incorporating dark chocolate or sherry.
- Adjusting the Heat: Tailor the spiciness to your liking by modifying the amounts of heat-inducing ingredients in the recipe. This ensures the chili meets your preferred heat level.
- Topping: Consider using avocado, corn, different types of onions (red, fried, spring), crunchy elements like tortilla chips or Ritz crackers, creamy additions such as sour cream or ranch, a cheese blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack, guacamole, and salsa.
- Best Beans for Chili: When selecting beans for your chili, opt for pinto beans, kidney beans, black beans, or northern white beans. Feel free to use any single type or a combination of these beans, depending on your recipe's requirements.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer: We’re not nutrition experts. Nutritional info is estimated and should be used as a guide. For precise details, consult a professional.
Explore our collection of comforting soup recipes, satisfying comfort food, and authentic Mexican dishes. Indulge in rich flavors and hearty textures with these warm, comforting culinary treasures.
Storage Suggestions
Chili often tastes better the next day. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. When ready to enjoy, simply reheat the desired amount in a microwave-safe bowl.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this Vegetarian Chili topped with avocado, a cheese blend, sour cream, tortilla chips, and coriander leaves. It pairs excellently with sides like cornbread, baked potatoes, nachos, tacos, Mexican rice, roasted potatoes, guacamole, or any other preferred sides.
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