Best 6 Weeknight Vegetarian Chili Recipes

THE BEST VEGETARIAN CHILI EVER

Steps:

• Place oil in a large pot and place over medium high heat. Add in garlic, onion, diced carrot, red bell pepper, cubed sweet potatoes and green chiles; saute for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Next add in chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper; stir for about 30 seconds.
• Finally add in crushed tomatoes, broth/water, black beans, kidney beans and corn. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30-45 minutes or until chili thickens and flavors come together. Taste and adjust seasonings and salt as necessary.
• Garnish with anything you'd like. Makes 6 servings, about 1 1/2 cups each.

WEEKNIGHT VEGETARIAN CHILI

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large straight-sided skillet over medium. Reserve 1/4 cup diced onion; add remaining onion to skillet along with garlic. Season with salt and cook, stirring, until tender, 4 to 6 minutes.
• Add chipotle, chili powder, cumin, and tomatoes with their juices; cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add beans and cooking liquid; bring to a simmer. Cook until slightly thickened, 15 to 18 minutes. Season to taste. Sprinkle with cheese, cover, and cook until just melted, about 2 minutes.
• Remove from heat; top with reserved onion, avocado, and cilantro, and serve with sour cream and tortillas.

VEGETARIAN CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, red onion, poblano, bell pepper and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, until just starting to brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, coriander, cinnamon and a few grinds of pepper.
• Add the lager and simmer until mostly reduced, about 1 minute. Add 2 1/2 cups water and the tomatoes. Stir in the black beans and pink beans. Bring to a simmer and cook, adjusting the heat as needed and stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Stir in the cilantro.

WEEKNIGHT TWO-BEAN CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; add the jalapenos, onions and vinegar and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds.
• Stir in the broth, tomatoes, chili powder and five-spice powder if using, and increase the heat to high. Bring to a full boil and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the beans and return to a full boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until just slightly thickened but still soupy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cilantro.
• Fill each bowl with about 1/2 cup of rice. Ladle the chili on top, sprinkle with the Cheddar and serve.

VEGETARIAN SKILLET CHILI

Steps:

• Make the pickled onions: Squeeze lime juice into a bowl, and add onion, salt and sugar. Let rest while you make the chili.
• Prepare the chili: Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the oil. When hot, add onion and sauté until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic, chile powder and oregano and sauté until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Add beans and tomatoes and a few large pinches of salt and let simmer until the tomatoes break down, about 20 minutes.
• Taste and add more salt, chile powder and/or oregano to taste. Serve with the pickled onions and any of the garnishes you like.

VEGETARIAN CHILI WITH WINTER VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Heat the beans on top of the stove in a large soup pot or Dutch oven.
• Heat the oil over medium heat in a heavy nonstick skillet and add the onion, carrot and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are tender and beginning to color, about 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic, stir together until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute, and add the ground chili and cumin. Cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes, until the mixture begins to stick to the pan. Add the tomatoes and oregano, and salt to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down and the mixture is beginning to stick to the pan, about 10 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste dissolved in water and bring back to a simmer. Season with salt to taste and simmer, stirring often, for 10 minutes, until the mixture is thick and fragrant.
• Stir the tomato mixture into the beans. Add the winter squash and bring to a simmer. Simmer, stirring often, for 30 to 45 minutes. It is important to stir often so that the chili doesn't settle and stick to the bottom of the pot. It should be thick; if you desire you can thin out with water. Taste and adjust salt.
• Shortly before serving stir in the cilantro and simmer for 5 minutes. Spoon into bowls. If you wish, top with grated cheddar, Monterey jack, or crumbled queso fresco.