Vegan Chili (Three Bean)

Close up of a blue pot filled with bean chili.

This vegan chili recipe is incredibly flavorful, packed with plenty of spices and features three types of beans for a hearty meal. It’s simple to make despite a long ingredient list!

Course Main Course, Soup

Cuisine American-inspired, Vegan

Keyword Three bean chili, Vegan Chili

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Simmer Time 30

Total Time 1

Servings Servings

Calories 347kcal

Equipment

Cutting board
Knife
Large pot
Can opener
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons

Ingredients

3 tablespoons avocado oil
1 medium onion , diced (about 1 ½ cups, 160 grams)
6 cloves garlic , minced (22 grams)
2 large bell pepper , diced (about 2 ½ cups, 290 grams)*
5 ounces tomato paste (150 milliliters, 160 grams)
3 tablespoons chili powder (American-style chili powder)**
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons dry oregano
2 teaspoons smoked paprika *
¾ cup beer of choice (185 milliliters) *
2 cups vegetable broth (500 milliliters)
15 ounce can black beans (1 ½ cups, 240 grams)
15 ounce can pinto beans (1 ½ cups, 250 grams)
15 ounce can navy beans (1 ½ cups, 150 grams)
28 ounce can diced tomatoes (800 milliliters)
2 tablespoons soy sauce (30 milliliters) *
2 tablespoons maple syrup (30 milliliters) *
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 bay leaves
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce , chopped
1 tablespoon adobo sauce (from chipotle pepper can)
½ teaspoon smoked salt *
½ teaspoon salt
black pepper (to taste)
1-2 tablespoons lime juice (15-30 milliliters)
1 cup cilantro , chopped (16-20 grams)
1-2 tablespoons corn meal , optional

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

Chop the onion and bell/poblano peppers.
1 medium onion, 2 large bell pepper
Mince your garlic and chipotle peppers.
6 cloves garlic, 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
Gather all other ingredients (open cans, drain and rinse beans).

Step 2: Pre-Cook Vegetables and Spices

Heat some cooking oil in large stock pot or Dutch oven, on medium heat.
3 tablespoons avocado oil
Add the chopped onion and cook 8-10 minutes, until softened and starting to brown.
1 medium onion
Add garlic, bell/poblano pepper and tomato paste; cook 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously, until the tomato paste starts to brown.
6 cloves garlic, 2 large bell pepper, 5 ounces tomato paste
Add your spices and toss/ mix around for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
3 tablespoons chili powder, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 2 teaspoons dry oregano, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
Deglaze the pot by adding the beer, scraping up any browning from bottom of pot.
¾ cup beer of choice
Cook in the beer/wine for 1-2 minutes.

Step 3: Add the Other “Main” Ingredients and Simmer

Add vegetable broth, canned tomato, all three beans, soy sauce, maple syrup, cocoa powder, bay leaves, chipotle peppers and adobo sauce, smoked and regular salt and black pepper.
2 cups vegetable broth, 15 ounce can black beans, 15 ounce can pinto beans, 15 ounce can navy beans, 28 ounce can diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, 2 bay leaves, 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, ½ teaspoon smoked salt, ½ teaspoon salt, black pepper, 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
Stir until everything is well mixed.
Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and simmer, stirring every 10 minutes or so, for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 hours. I simmer with the lid off.

Step 4: Add Finishing Ingredients and Serve

Once done simmering, remove chili from heat and remove bay leaves.
Add the optional corn meal and stir through to thicken.
1-2 tablespoons corn meal
Add lime juice and cilantro and stir through.
1-2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 cup cilantro
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed (salt and pepper; lime juice for more acidity or more maple syrup for sweetness).
Serve hot with your favorite chili toppings.

Notes

*See substitution options in post above.
**American-style chili powder is a blend of spices (not just dried ground chili peppers).

Accuracy of nutrition information cannot be guaranteed (certain ingredients may not have all nutrients listed in the database); amounts may vary (and will vary depending on brands of ingredients used); all nutrition fact values rounded to the nearest whole number.

Nutrition