Healthy Vegetarian Chili Recipe (2024)

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Vegetarian Chili Ingredients

The exact ingredient measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post– but here’s an overview of what you need to make this delicious pot of chili.

• Olive oil for sautéing vegetables
• Vegetables: onion, garlic, carrots, celery, bell peppers, and a jalapeno pepper (which is optional but brings delicious flavor).
• Spices: chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and a bay leaf.
• Pantry: diced tomatoes, black beans, and pinto beans
• Herbs: fresh parsley or cilantro for serving and a squeeze of lime (optional).

How to Make Vegetarian Chili

The ingredients in this easy vegetarian chili are super simple. But when cooked together, it creates the most delicious flavor. The smoked paprika gives it a unique, extra-savory element I absolutely love.

If you like spicy chili, be sure to add a jalapeno pepper or two, and do not discard the seeds. To keep it more mild, remove the seeds from the pepper.

Here’s how to make this pot of deliciousness (step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post):

1. Sauté the vegetables in a bit of olive oil until softened. Season with salt as it cooks.
2. Stir in the garlic and seasonings and cook until fragrant– about 1 minute.
3. Add the tomatoes, beans, water, and bay leaf to the pot.
4. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring as needed, for 30 minutes or until desired consistency.

I like to finish the chili with fresh chopped herbs, like parsley or cilantro, just before serving. It brightens the flavor. You can also squeeze in a bit of lime for a delicious hint of acidity that balances the flavors so well.

And at my house, no chili is complete without a batch of Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread with honey butter.

How to Thicken Any Chili Recipe

This vegetarian chili recipe has the perfect consistency for me. But if you’ve ever made chili and wanted it thicker, as have we all, here are a couple of tips on how to thicken chili.

Add cornstarch or all-purpose flour: Cornstarch and all-purpose flour are common thickening agents and ingredients you likely already have on hand. The best way to thicken chili is to create a slurry of either cornstarch or all-purpose flour and water. Stir it into the chili as it cooking.

1. Cornstarch: Whisk together 1 tablespoon cold water and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Simmer in the chili for 10 minutes.
2. All-purpose Flour: Whisk together 2 tablespoons cold water and 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour. Simmer in the chili until thickened.

Other ways to thicken chili include:

• Cooking it longer.
• Add more vegetables which will naturally release starch into the chili and thicken it.
• Stir in tomato paste.

NOTE: This chili recipe has not been thickened.

Chili Toppings

Chili toppings can be one of the best parts of the dish. Here are some ideas I like:

• Grated cheddar cheese
• Sour cream, Greek yogurt, or crème fraîche
• Diced avocado
• Tortilla chips
• Fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley
• Lime wedges

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