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The Best Vegetarian Chili (Slow-Cooker or Stovetop)

This is hands down The Best Vegetarian Chili we’ve ever devoured. Make it in a Crock Pot or on the stovetop – your choice! You won’t miss the meat with these big, bold flavors. 

garnished vegetarian chili in a bowl.
Vegetarian chili is the perfect hearty and healthy weeknight dinner packed with all the good stuff!

Video: Watch Us Make This Recipe

Why This Recipe Stands Out

We aren’t exaggerating when we say this is The Best Vegetarian Chili. It’ll have even the most devout meat-eaters asking for seconds. Here’s why we love this recipe:

  • Vegan: Not only is this chili vegetarian, it’s also completely vegan.
  • Delicious: Like all of our favorite vegetarian recipes, this meal proves that you don’t need meat for ultimate flavor.
  • Weeknight Dinner: This recipe can be made either on the stovetop or in the slow-cooker. And we love how easy a good slow-cooker meal makes dinner on a busy weeknight!
  • Healthy: Vegetarian chili is packed with nutritious, fiber-rich plants like green and colored bell peppers and beans.
  • Meal-Prep: The Best Vegetarian Chili freezes really well, making it one of our go-to meal prep dinners.

Key Recipe Ingredients

  • Aromatics – Fresh sautéed onions and garlic go a long way in infusing this chili with loads of flavor.
  • Spices – We use a combo of sugar, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, oregano, and coriander to give this chili a warm, satisfying smell and taste.
  • Beans – We use garbanzo beans, black beans, and white beans in this recipe but feel free to switch this up!
  • Vegetable Burgers – The secret ingredient – crumbled up vegetable burgers add loads of protein to this dish making it even more satisfying.

Substitutions And Variations

One thing we love about soups and chilis is that they’re super versatile. Take a look at these easy variations:

  • Veggies: Play around with the vegetables in this recipe. Try adding chopped kale, carrots, or celery. You could also add butternut squash like we do in this Butternut Squash Chili recipe.
  • Veggie Burger: If you’re not a fan of veggie burgers, feel free to simply omit the veggie burger crumbles and replace them with more beans.
  • Garnishes: We love a sprinkle of cheddar cheese on top of this chili. If you’re vegan, feel free to use a vegan cheese alternative. Crumbled tortilla chips, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime also go amazing with this dish.
  • Meat: Are you looking for some meat in your chili but still wanting to avoid the heavier ground beef version? Check out this Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe.

Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

  1. Cook onions and garlic in oil until fragrant.
  2. Stir in sugar, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, oregano, and coriander. Then add tomato paste and stir.
  1. Add bell peppers and fire-roasted tomatoes.
  2. Add 1 tsp kosher salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and broth. Mix and bring to a simmer.
  1. Stir in beans, corn, and vegetable crumbles; simmer until finished.
  2. Serve warm with desired garnishes. Enjoy!

For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

How To Prep Ahead

The Best Vegetarian Chili is even better after sitting overnight! Here’s some of our favorite ways to meal prep this healthy dinner:

  • Chop Veggies: Feel free to chop all the veggies in this recipe a few days in advance. Just store them in the fridge and take them out when you’re ready to cook.
  • Refrigerate: This chili gets even better with time. It stays fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Just reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop and enjoy!
  • Freeze: After letting the chili cool completely, scoop it into single-serving containers and freeze it for up to 3 months.
vegetarian chili in slow-cooker.

What To Serve With Vegetarian Chili

Veggies

Starches

Cornbread

Commonly Asked Questions

How long will vegetarian chili last in the fridge?

This chili is absolutely perfect for meal prep. Make a big batch and keep it covered/chilled in the fridge for 4-5 days.

How much protein does this vegetarian chili have?

Loaded with plant protein in the form of black beans, garbanzo beans, and crumbled veggie burgers, each serving of this chili has 13g of protein.

Can I make this vegetarian chili for meal prep?

This chili recipe is perfect for meal prep! Grab some meal prep freezer containers and store in fridge for several days, or freeze individual portions for up to a month.

Can I make this chili in the instant pot?

Yes! For tips and cooking times for making chili in the instant pot, check out our Instant Pot Chili Recipe.

Did you make this?

Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!

vegetarian chili, vegan chili

The Best Vegetarian Chili (Slow-Cooker or Stovetop)

4.92 from 295 ratings
This is hands down The Best Vegetarian Chili we've ever devoured. It can be made in a Crock Pot or simply on the stovetop – your choice! You won't miss the meat with these big, bold flavors. 
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 10
Author: Amy Dong

Ingredients  

Instructions

For Stovetop

  • In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil until hot. Add onion and garlic, stirring until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  • Add sugar, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, oregano, and coriander. Stir to combine, 10 seconds. Add tomato paste and stir 30 seconds.
  • Add bell peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes with juices, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and broth. Scrape bottom of pot while stirring. Bring chili to a simmer. Simmer covered 20 minutes.
  • Add beans, corn, and vegetable crumbles, stirring to combine well. Bring chili back to a simmer and cook, covered, another 20 minutes.
  • Remove from heat. If desired, add kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Serve warm with desired garnishes.

For Slow Cooker

Notes

  • This chili is even better the next day, so if you can make it the day beforehand, please do. It’s perfect for meal prep.
  • If you can use veggie burger crumbles, we highly suggest using those, as it will cut down on prep time.
  • If you don’t prefer to use vegetable burger crumbles, substitute with more beans or your choice of grains. This chili is wonderful with these honey cornbread muffins.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating. We ❤️ hearing from you! 
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Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 489kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 460mg | Potassium: 560mg | Fiber: 104g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 266IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 522mg | Iron: 21mg
Course: Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Method: Slow Cooker, Stovetop

More To Cook And Eat

4.92 from 295 votes (248 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




95 comments

    • Harriet

    I am making the chili now for a pot luck tomorrow night. Has anyone used finely diced mushrooms in place of the veggie crumbles? I don’t want to add more beans, but I am not using the crumbles and want something “meaty” to replace them. Thanks in advance.

      • Amy Dong

      Hi, Harriet! Feel free to use chopped mushrooms and add veggies as you’d like! Do taste (add more seasoning as needed) at the end, as the veggie crumbles offer a lot of flavor that unseasoned mushrooms will not. Hope you LOVE this! 🙂 🙂

    • Dina Pen
    • 5 stars

    I wondered if the nutritional info was correct. 104 g of fibre per serving?

      • Amy Dong

      Hi, Dina! Most food sites use the same nutritional plugin to calculate approximate values. They’re best-estimates and shouldn’t be far off. Hope you love the recipe! 🙂 🙂

    • Patty
    • 5 stars

    This is very good. I had never made vegetarian chili before, but was attending a chili/soup event on a Friday during the Lenten season, so I found your recipe and I am so glad I found your site. Everyone loved the chili (and the aroma of it too).
    I will definitely make this again.
    Thank you!

      • Amy Dong

      That is fantastic, Patty! 🙂

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