Ultimate Vegan Chili

Name: Ultimate Vegan Chili
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons soy sauce (*tamari for gluten free); 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast; 2 teaspoons chili powder; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 14-ounce block firm tofu; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 medium sweet onion, diced; 3-4 cloves garlic, minced; (2) 28-oz cans crushed tomatoes; (2) 15-oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed; (1) 15-oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed; 1 cup water; 3 tablespoons chili powder; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup; 1 tablespoon cocoa powder; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

This Ultimate Vegan Chili is AWARD WINNING and it’s so easy to make! Meaty, flavorful and protein-rich, this chili is over-the-top delicious.

Serve with vegan cornbread and vegan sour cream for the best results!

looking down on two bowls of chili with sour cream, cheese and a lime on white background with blue towel

Want even more chili recipes? Check out my Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili, Lentil Chili and Vegan White Chili.

The very best vegan chili recipe

Easy vegan chili is loaded with beans, meaty crumbled tofu (or vegan ground meat of your choice), and classic seasonings. This fan favorite dish is ready in under an hour and uses super simple ingredients. It may be a simple recipe, but the results are outstanding. This chili wins awards!

Even meat eaters love this chili! Feel free to make it your own and add in additional ingredients or all of your favorite toppings. Don’t forget the vegan cornbread, vegan sour cream and vegan cheese on the side for a hearty and filling meal!

close up of a bowl with bean chili, sour cream, cheese and a lime wedge.

What is vegan chili made of?

Here are the main ingredients needed for the recipe. The big difference between this chili and a non-vegan chili is that we aren’t using meat of course!

Meaty tofu crumbles – They are made easily and quickly in the oven while the rest of the chili comes together on the stovetop. Often I skip the tofu and use Beyond meat crumbles instead. You could also use TVP ground beef or another vegan beef substitute.
Sweet onion and garlic – Classic and necessary chili ingredients. You can use white, yellow or even a red onion.
Crushed tomatoes – You can substitute this for diced tomatoes if you like a little more texture in each bite.
Black beans and kidney beans – Use any variety of canned beans you like, but this is my favorite combination. Pinto beans or even chickpeas can be used.
Chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt – This combination of seasonings will make each bite taste smokey, savory, and delicious!
Maple syrup – Just a little to balance out the acidity.
Cocoa powder – Adds richness and depths of flavors to the chili. If you haven’t added cocoa powder to your chili before, I highly recommend you try it!

crumbled baked tofu on a parchment lined pan.

How to make vegan chili

Get the tofu crumbles baking

These tofu crumbles are perfectly seasoned and give this vegan chili a meaty texture. They’re also super easy to make! For an even easier recipe, you can skip the tofu and simply cook 16 ounces or Beyond meat with the onions.

If using the tofu crumbles:

Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Mix together the soy sauce, nutritional yeast, chili powder, and smoked paprika in a large bowl. Use your hands to crumble the tofu into the bowl and mix everything together.
Spread the tofu mixture in an even layer on your prepared pan. Place it in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through. Once the tofu is in the oven, start the chili.

Prepare the chili while the tofu bakes

In a large pot over medium heat, add a few tablespoons of olive oil. Add in the chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent and fragrant. If using vegan ground beef, cook it now with the onion. Next, add in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute, stirring constantly.

onions sauted in a white pot with yellow-white squared towel.

Add the rest of the chili ingredients into the pot (except for the tofu) and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.

black beans, tomato sauce and spices in a white pot, not yet stirred together.

Once the tofu crumbles are done, if using, stir them into the chili.

adding cooked crumbed tofu to the pot with the chili

How to thicken chili

If you like your chili to have a thick or smoother texture, you can use an immersion blender to lightly blend just a few times. Do this before adding the tofu crumbles.

Instant pot vegan chili

Make the chili in an Instant Pot by first turning it to Sauté mode. Add the oil and cook the onions and garlic until soft, then add in the rest of your ingredients (except the tofu, you’ll still need to oven bake this). Secure the lid and cook on manual or high pressure for 8 minutes. Immediately release the pressure, then open the Instant Pot and stir in the tofu crumbles to finish.

Crock pot chili

You can make vegan chili in a crock pot/slow cooker as well. Add all of the ingredients (except the tofu) to a large crockpot and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or on low for 4 to 5 hours. Stir in the tofu crumbles 30 minutes before it’s done cooking.

white pot full of vegan chili, a ladle scooping out a serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does vegan chili last in the fridge?

Leftover chili will last for 4-5 days in the fridge. Store in airtight containers.

Does chili freeze well?

Yes, this chili freezes very well. Freeze in individual freezer-friendly containers, then simply thaw and reheat until warm.

How can I make it gluten free?

Substitute gluten free tamari for the soy sauce when making the tofu crumbles to ensure the chili is gluten free.

Can I add more vegetables or grains to vegan chili?

Yes! Some good choices are corn, zucchini, red bell peppers, sweet potatoes or carrots. You can also stir in 1 cup of quinoa with the rest of the ingredients.

How to serve vegan chili

You can’t have chili without cornbread! Serve a piece or two with each bowl of chili. Layer on all the toppings you want, such as:

Vegan Sour Cream
Vegan cheese shreds or cheese sauce
Diced tomatoes
A wedge of lime
Tortilla chips
Chopped cilantro
Avocado slices
Hot sauce
Chives

two bowls of vegan chili on white background with blue towel, sour cream and cheese on top.

More cozy vegan recipes to impress a crowd

This recipe was originally published in 2020 and has been updated with better information and options.

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