This Ultimate Vegan Chili is sure to please even the most devout of meat-eaters! Meaty, flavorful and protein-rich, this chili is over-the-top delicious. Serve with vegan cornbread, cashew sour cream and chives for the best results!
This is my second vegan chili recipe on the blog. The first was this Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili, which was not only the FIRST recipe I ever posted, but it remains one of my most popular as well! I did update it with photos awhile ago, because some of my early photos were, hmmm, not great we’ll say!
But this Ultimate Vegan Chili is a whole different thing. It’s a vegan version of a hearty, meaty chili. Serve this vegan chili to all the meat eaters in your life and see if they aren’t impressed! BONUS: It’s simple to make and will be ready in under an hour. Perfect for Game Day or a family dinner.
How to make Ultimate Vegan Chili:
First, get the meaty tofu crumbles baking. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and line a large pan with parchment paper. Stir together the soy sauce/tamari, nutritional yeast, chili powder and smoked paprika (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR EXACT AMOUNTS) in a large bowl. Crumble the tofu into the bowl and stir to mix. Bake for about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through.
While the tofu is baking, start your vegan chili on the stovetop. Saute an onion, then add the garlic.
Add all the other chili ingredients, except the tofu, and stir. Bring to a boil, then simmer about 20 minutes, until the tofu crumbles are done baking.
Once the tofu crumbles are done, stir them into the pot. That’s it!
How can I thicken vegan chili?
You might want a thicker consistency to your vegan chili. If you do, use an immersion blender (before you add the tofu) and blend just a few times in the pot. Sometimes I do this, and sometimes I don’t. Either way is good to me!
Is vegan chili gluten free?
Yes, as long as you use gluten free tamari instead of soy sauce, this recipe is gluten free.
What to serve with vegan chili:
Serve with The Best Vegan Cornbread, and a variety of toppings, such as:
- Cashew Sour Cream
- Vegan cheese shreds
- diced tomatoes
- tortilla chips
- chopped cilantro
- hot sauce
- chives
Can ultimate vegan chili be frozen, and how long does it last in the fridge?
This vegan chili freezes very well. I like to freeze it in small containers for quick lunches, and I’ve also frozen it in a large ziplock freezer bag. It will keep in the fridge for about 4 days.
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Ultimate Vegan Chili
Ingredients
Meaty Tofu Crumbles
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce/ tamari (for gluten free)
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- (1) 14-ounce firm tofu
Chili
- 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
Instructions
For the Tofu Crumbles:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a large bowl, mix together the soy sauce, nutritional yeast, chili powder and smoked paprika. It will be pasty. Now crumble the tofu into the bowl with your hands, and mix together using a large spoon until well combined with the paste.
- Spread the tofu mixture evenly in the pan. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, stirring the tofu halfway through. Once the tofu is in the oven, start the chili.
For the Chili:
- In a large pot over medium heat, add a few tablespoons of water OR olive oil. Add the chopped onion and saute 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add in the garlic and cook 1 more minute, stirring constantly. Add more water if needed to prevent burning.
- Now add all the rest of the chili ingredients, except the tofu, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the tofu crumbles are done baking.
- If a thicker consistency is desired, use an immersion blender and blend just a few times. Do this before you add the tofu, preferably.
- Once the tofu crumbles are done, stir them into the pot. All done! Serve with vegan sour cream, cornbread, tortilla chips, cilantro, tomatoes, hot sauce, vegan cheese shreds and/or chives if desired.
Recipe Notes
- For gluten free, make sure to use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- May omit the tofu crumbles if desired, or replace them with vegan beef crumbles (such as Gardein brand, Beyond Meat or Smartground.)
- May substitute diced tomatoes for the crushed tomatoes if desired. I prefer not to have large canned tomato chunks in my chili.
- This chili will keep in the fridge for about 4 days, and also freezes well.
- Inspired by It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
*This recipe was updated on February 2nd, 2019 with new photos and better instructions. Thank you.
Kerstin
Tried this for the first time today and loved it. Meat eating husband and vegetarian daughter were happy too! Will definitely make this again.
Nora
That’s so great!
Annie B
I made this for the first time in December 2018…an innocent time. It was awesome then and it’s just as fabulous now. I’m happy that the important things (family/love/health/and this delicious chili) remain a constant. Stay inside and stay well. Thanks for this delicious recipe!
Nora
Thanks so much!
Kori Posey
Made the chili and the vegan corn bread, turned out amazing!! Thanks for posting the recipes and inspiring me to cook instead of worry about all of these changes we are all going through. Be safe and healthy! 💜
Nora
So glad it was good! Hope you stay safe and healthy too!
Lara
This really was the ultimate vegan chili. I kept adding the spices one at a time, thinking, is this going to get better??? (especially with the cocoa powder, nutritional yeast, and the soya sauce) And it did. Instead of tofu, however, I used 250gms of Beyond Meat, plus the mix of black beans and red kidney beans. Oh my Gosh did this deliver. I can only imagine it with the corn bread (which I made before)…This is being saved in my recipe file. Thank you!
Nora
You’re welcome! I’m glad it came out great!
Jennifer Joseph
This looks great, but can it be made without the maple syrup and still be tasty?
Nora
Yes, you can simply leave it out. Thanks!
Alyssa Wadman
Hello! I love love love this recipe! Could you please tell me how much is one serving for nutritional information?
Thanks!
Nora
Thank you, I’m glad you like the chili! It’s for 1/6th of the entire dish, I don’t know the exact cup measurement. But if you divide it by 6, that is what the nutrition estimate is based on.
Amber
Hi there! I’m making this for the fam tonight and am super excited about trying these homemade veggies crumbles! You recipe doesn’t mention pressing the tofu first.. would you recommend this, or is the moisture beneficial for baking?
Thanks!
Nora
I think you are going to love the chili! There is no need to press the tofu, as the excess water will cook off while it bakes, making the recipe a bit easier and faster to make. Thanks!
Barb B
Hi Nora! I love your recipes…I have never used cocoa powder in a chili recipe before…it seems a little unusual to me….is it critical to the recipe?
Nora
You can leave it out, it is not critical but I do encourage you to try it! It’s quite common actually, and is often found in the best of chilis. 🙂
Valerie
Hello,
Can this be made in the instant pot? I just prefer being able to close it up and forget about it until its done! 🙂
Nora
It probably could but I haven’t tested it yet!