Vegetarian Chili Recipe: 5 Ways to Enjoy a Hearty Meal

Nothing beats a good vegetarian chili recipe…except for five unique and delicious vegetarian chili recipes, that is! Whether you like it hot and spicy or prefer a Mediterranean flavor pallet, these recipes will warm up your family from the inside out this winter season.

When it comes to game day recipes, you need an endless supply of filling food. Rather than grabbing some deep-fried snacks or greasy pizza, keep your super fans full with healthy and hearty chili so you can all focus on the big game.

Black Bean Chili

The unbeatable flavor combination of cumin and black beans makes this chili recipe one of my favorites as the temperatures drop. Black bean chili is delicious on its own, but it’s superb when topped with diced avocados.

Here’s what you need:

• 1 cup vegetable broth
• ½ yellow onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 celery rib, chopped
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 2 cans of black beans, drained
• 1 cup tomatoes, stewed
• ½ tablespoon cumin
• Salt to taste
• Juice of 1 lime

Pour the vegetable broth into a pot, and bring it to a boil. Add in the onion, garlic, celery, red pepper, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add one can of beans, tomatoes, cumin, and salt. Cook this mixture for five minutes. Puree the soup with a stick blender or a traditional blender (just remember to remove the fill cap if you are using a traditional blender). Add the remaining can of beans, and cook for an additional five minutes. Remove the soup from heat, add the lime juice, and enjoy.

Hot & Spicy Chili

When it’s so cold outside that you feel like nothing can cut the freezing winds, hot and spicy chili will heat you up from the inside out. My favorite thing about this vegetarian chili from Whole Foods is the depth of flavor created by a variety of peppers and spices. If you prefer a more mild heat level, remove the ribs and seeds from all the peppers before adding them to the dish.

Creamy guacamole or vegan sour cream provide the ideal toppings to cool down this hot meal. Corn tortillas are also a great accompaniment for a hearty dish like this one.

Snow-White Chili

I love a themed meal, and a snow-white chili creates a beautiful—and delicious—dinner table that matches the picturesque winter outside. This recipe uses a slow cooker, so most of the heavy lifting of the cooking process is done by the time you get home from work.

Top with fresh herbs to brighten the dish, and serve with a warm baguette to truly indulge in the greatest food comforts. The flavors of this white bean chili only deepen with time, so freeze any leftovers for a quick and easy meal later in the week.

Mediterranean Chili

From a creamy hummus to a simple plate of olives, I love the flavors of the Mediterranean. That’s why I was so excited when I came across this unique chili recipe (from Flavor Mosaic) that incorporates all the seasonings of the region.

Serve with warm pita bread for the perfect dunking accessory. If you want to keep this dish vegan, top the chili with black olives instead of feta cheese.

Classic Three-Bean Chili

This classic three-bean dish is my all-time favorite vegetarian chili recipe. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and full of bold flavors that will satisfy your family and friends regardless of dietary restrictions. The bean-filled base of this recipe ensures everyone’s bellies will be full of fiber, iron, and other important nutrients.

Three-bean chili is a go-to meal in my household, but we also like to use the leftovers in a variety of fun ways. Veggie dogs and baked french fries go to the next level of deliciousness when topped with this chili, and it also makes an unbelievable game-day dip for chips and veggies when layered with guacamole and vegan cheese.

Chili is a healthful, wholesome, and flavorful meal that is only limited by your own imagination. What are some of your favorite chili recipes? Let us know with a #GoodMatters tweet on Twitter. Bon appétit!

Image sources: Laurie Fanelli | Wikimedia Commons

This article was brought to you by Tom’s of Maine. The views and opinions expressed by the author do not reflect the position of Tom’s of Maine.