20-Minute Vegetarian Chili Recipe

This is the all-time easiest vegetarian chili recipe…ever. Ready in under 20 minutes and made almost entirely of pantry staples, the ingredients for this vegetable packed chili are easy to keep on hand for busy weeknights. And even though it requires just 8 ingredients, it doesn’t compromise on flavor one bit!

Alright friends, buckle up for the best vegetarian chili of all time. And I don’t use this word lightly, but there are a few reasons why I truly believe this chili is *le best*:

• It’s ready in 20 minutes
• It uses almost all pantry staples
• It has just 8 ingredients
• It doesn’t require tons of chopping
• It has a secret trick that makes it SO THICK and hearty

So if you’ve been dreaming of a rich and flavorful basic vegetarian chili recipe, I gotchu. Let’s cook!

Vegetarian Chili Ingredients

You’ll need just 8 ingredients to make a basic stovetop vegetarian chili.

• Oil: Provides the base for sautéing the onions, adding a subtle richness to the chili.
• Yellow Onion: Infuses a sweet and slightly tangy flavor, forming the aromatic foundation of the chili.
• Chili Seasoning: Elevates the dish with a blend of spices, including chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and more, ensuring a well-balanced, robust flavor (here’s our easy McCormick Chili Seasoning Copycat Recipe!)
• Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes: Brings a smoky, charred essence to the chili, adding depth and complexity to the overall taste.
• Black Beans, Kidney Beans, Pinto Beans: Offer protein, fiber, and a delightful creaminess, enhancing both texture and nutritional value. We’re using one can of each, but you could use different amounts if you want (like 2 cans of pinto beans and 1 can of kidney beans, for example).
• Corn: Introduces a touch of sweetness and a pop of color, contributing to the visual appeal of the dish.

How to make A Veggie Chili

We made some modifications to chili recipes you might be accustomed to in order to make this quick vegetarian chili the quickest…ever. It should be done in under 20 minutes!

1. Create a flavor base by cooking the onions and adding the spices
2. Assemble everything by simply pouring the total contents of each can into the pot (no draining!)
3. Optionally blend about a cup of the chili, then add it back in, to make a thick and creamy consistency
4. Serve hot with your favorite toppings!

Make It Spicy

I love a good spicy chili, but this basic veggie chili is middle of the road when it comes to spiciness – a little heat from the chili seasoning mix but not too spicy. To make this a truly spicy chili, I would add a sliced jalapeno at the same time that you add the cans of beans!

You can also make it spicier by making your own chili seasoning and adding a bit more cayenne pepper!

Is chili a soup?

Chili is not typically classified as a soup, although it shares some similarities with soup in terms of being a liquid-based dish. Chili is more commonly considered a stew because of its hearty, thick, and chunky attributes. In contrast, soups are generally thinner and more liquid-based, with a broth or stock as the primary base.

How to thicken chili

There are many easy ways to thicken chili:

• Blend: Ladle a small amount of the chili into a blender and blend, then pour is back into the pot. This creates a thicker chili by simply using the magic starches hidden in those beans, without having to add any ingredients.
• Simmering: Let the chili simmer uncovered for an extended period. As the liquid evaporates, the chili will naturally thicken. This method can take some time, so be patient.
• Cornstarch Slurry: Mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water. Stir until it forms a smooth mixture. Add this slurry to your chili, stirring continuously. Allow it to cook for a few more minutes until it thickens.
• Masa Harina: Mix a few tablespoons of masa harina (a type of corn flour) with water to form a slurry. Add it to the chili and let it cook for a few minutes. This method also adds a nice corn flavor to the chili.

Serving Suggestions

Chili is a fun recipe because it can be the dish, or it can be a topping! Here’s how I like serving up this hearty vegetarian chili (grab our full list of what to serve with chili here).

• By itself with Greek yogurt instead of sour cream (weird food combination or just me?)
• On baked potatoes (or air fryer potatoes!)
• On hot dogs (have you tried my viral carrot hot dogs?)
• On nachos (vegan nachos for the win!)