Author: This vegan chili recipe is a plant-based twist that tastes better than meat chili!!! You read that right. This vegan chili recipe has won 1st place at a chili cook-off competing against non-vegan recipes! 🏆 Packed with protein and fiber this award-winning vegan chili is not only perfect for game day or entertaining but also easy to make, full of good-for-you ingredients, and freezes beautifully for meal prep.
FEATURED COMMENT:
Oh my goodness! We made this for a family gathering. We have vegans and meat eaters. Everybody loved it. They scraped the pan clean. Our house smelled delicious long after it was gone. I've never been a chili fan and I loved it! It's the best I've ever tasted. Thank you for a chili recipe we all love! - Lisa
I've made my fair share of three-bean vegan chilis in the past, and while they're good, they never quite hit the mark. So when creating this recipe, I made sure it had that meaty chewy texture that makes chili so yummy, all while keeping it 100% plant-based.
The secret? Tofu crumbles. If you're new to this technique, get ready for a delightful surprise! I developed this technique in 2015, it involves taking extra-firm tofu, crumbling it, seasoning it, and baking it until crispy. Stirring these dried tofu crumbles into your chili adds an amazing chewy, meaty texture by absorbing some of the moisture. Trust me, once you try making tofu crumbles, you'll be hooked!
Now that you've mastered the tofu technique, the next key to perfection is to season this vegan chili recipe properly. No bland chili here-this recipe ensures a burst of gorgeous spices, hearty beans, rich simmered tomatoes, and perfectly seasoned tofu for that meaty chew. Plus, it can be made gluten-free and oil-free if preferred.
This easy vegan chili isn't just delicious; it's also incredibly simple. I love having a pot simmering away on the weekend for a week-long treat. Whether you're a seasoned vegan, a curious vegetarian, or a die-hard meat lover, you're in for a treat. Enjoy it on a cozy rainy day, freeze it for later, or bring it to a potluck-this vegan chili recipe is perfect for all occasions.
Common Questions:
How long does this chili last in the fridge? If kept in an air-tight container, chili can last up to 5 days in the fridge.
Can I freeze chili? Yes, you can. As long as the chili is kept in air-tight containers, chili will last up to 2 months in the freezer.
What is in this vegan chili recipe? Black beans, kidney beans, tomatoes, onions, garlic, olive oil, tofu (for that meaty texture), and a ton of spices including chili powder, cumin, brown sugar, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt.
What is the best secret ingredient for chili? Tofu. Yes, tofu. Trust me on this. The secret is that the tofu is seasoned and then dried out in the oven. Then when you stir it into the sauce, it gets this gorgeously chewy, amazing, can't-stop-eating texture.
Can I add red or green peppers to the chili? Absolutely. Personally, I am not a fan of the texture of peppers in chili, but if you enjoy them, chop up one bell pepper and add it along with the tomatoes and beans.
Can this be made in a crockpot? Yes. Sauté the onions and garlic in your crockpot on the sauté setting. Then add the tomatoes, beans, spices and cook it on the low setting for approximately 6-8 hours or on the high setting for around 3-4 hours. Add the tofu crumbles in at the end and continue to cook for another 5 - 10 minutes.
What is chili powder? Chili powder is a spice blend commonly used in Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisines, featuring ground chili peppers, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, and paprika. It provides a warm, savory flavor with mild to moderate spiciness and is versatile in dishes like chili, tacos, and stews.
How to make the best vegan chili recipe:
For the Chili: Add the olive oil to a large pot and heat over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent and just begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, beans, water, and all of the spices. Bring to a boil and then reduce to simmer and continue to simmer with the lid off for 1 hour, giving it a stir every now and then. If the chili gets too thick, add water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
For the Tofu Crumbles: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (180℃). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
In a large bowl, mix nutritional yeast, soy sauce, and olive oil. Break the tofu into a few large chunks and add them to the bowl, then us a potato masher to mash the tofu into crumbles. Stir the tofu crumbles well making sure all of the tofu is evenly coated in nutritional yeast mix.
Want to learn more about tofu and all the cool ways you can use it? Check out my full Tofu 101: Easy Tofu Recipes & Guide.
Spread the tofu crumbles evenly over the prepared pan. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes, stopping to stir the tofu every now and then. Keep a close eye on it towards the end so that it doesn't burn. You want the tofu to be nicely browned. The smaller crumbles will be darker than the larger crumbles, and that's good because it will provide a variety of texture to the chili. Remove from the oven and set aside.
Once the chili has simmer for an hour, stir in the tofu crumbles into the chili and continue to cook for another 5 minutes. This will allow the tofu to absorb the sauce and become chewy. Serve hot with toppings of choice and a side of cornbread if desired. See notes for storage.
To make this vegan chili recipe gluten-free simply swap the soy sauce for tamari or another gluten-free alternative. To make it oil-free, check the recipe notes for instructions.
This vegan chili recipe is...
- meaty, chewy, and smoky
- filled with good-for-you ingredients
- spiced to perfection
- an award-winning recipe! 🏆
What to Serve With Chili:
- Easy Vegan Cornbread
- Vegan sour cream or plain vegan yogurt
- Tortilla chips or corn chips
- Vegan cheese shreds
- Chopped avocado or My Favorite Guacamole Recipe
- Chopped green onions or cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Chopped tomatoes or salsa
- Pickled or fresh jalapeno slices
- Rice or quinoa
If you try this recipe let us know by leaving a comment, rating it, and don't forget to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram.
Bon appetegan!
Sam Turnbull.
(click stars to vote)
The Best Vegan Chili Ever!!!
Servings: (makes 8 - 10 cups)
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Ingredients
For the Chili:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 2 cans (28 oz/796 ml each) diced tomatoes, (6 ½ cups)
- 1 can (19 oz/ 540 ml) black beans, drained and rinsed (or 2 cups cooked beans)
- 1 can (19 oz/ 540 ml) kidney beans, drained and rinsed (or 2 cups cooked beans)
- 1 cup water, (plus more if needed)
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ - ½ teaspoon cayenne powder, (optional for spice)
For the Meaty Tofu Crumbles:
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce, (gluten-free if preferred)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 block (12 oz/ 350 g) extra-firm tofu, drained (no need to press it)
Instructions
- For the Chili: Add the olive oil to a large pot and heat over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent and just begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, beans, water, and all of the spices. Bring to a boil and then reduce to simmer and continue to simmer with the lid off for 1 hour, giving it a stir every now and then. If the chili gets too thick, add water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
- For the Tofu Crumbles: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (180℃). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a large bowl, mix nutritional yeast, soy sauce, and olive oil. Break the tofu into a few large chunks and add them to the bowl, then us a potato masher to mash the tofu into crumbles. Stir the tofu crumbles well making sure all of the tofu is evenly coated in nutritional yeast mix.
- Spread the tofu crumbles evenly over the prepared pan. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes, stopping to stir the tofu every now and then. Keep a close eye on it towards the end so that it doesn't burn. You want the tofu to be nicely browned. The smaller crumbles will be darker than the larger crumbles, and that's good because it will provide a variety of texture to the chili. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Once the chili has simmer for an hour, stir in the tofu crumbles into the chili and continue to cook for another 5 minutes. This will allow the tofu to absorb the sauce and become chewy. Serve hot with toppings of choice and a side of cornbread if desired. See notes for storage.
Desiree says
This chili recipe is absolutely delicious! I made it for the first time today with no changes. AH-MAZING! I probably made my tofu crumbles too small because they shrank to the size of little pebbles, so it didn't seem as "meaty" as I'd expected. Next time I think I'll use 1-1/2 to 2 packages of tofu (and proportionately increase the amount of oil, soy sauce, and nutritional yeast). That should do it! Thank you so much, Sam!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
So happy you enjoyed it, Desiree! Leaving the tofu in bigger chunks will definitely help with that texture 🙂
Carolyn says
I made a triple recipe of this today. My church was doing a giveaway of clothing etc. for the homeless in my area. It disappeared quickly and everyone who had some LOVED it (church members and homeless). When they asked what the protein was, I told them to try it and see, adding that it had won a chili cook off. I knew some people wouldn't try it if they heard "tofu". No one had anything negative to say about it and many came back for a second bowl.
Tom, I'm not sure why it was bland for you, I was afraid it would be a little too spicy and I like spice. However, I made it the night before the event and the spices mellowed out.
Thanks for yet another great recipe.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
This makes me so happy to hear, Carolyn! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Tom says
Hmm. I love the ingredients and made it exactly as specified but found I had to doctor it quite a bit as it was very bland. my spices were fresh and up to date. were the tomatoes supposed to be drained? loved the tofu addition tho. I ended up adding more sugar and salt and also a can of green chilies. just wondering where I went wrong?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks so much for trying it and for the detailed note! The tomatoes should go in with all their juices, so no need to drain them. If it tasted bland, it likely just needed a bit more salt to bring everything to life, as that can vary depending on the brand of tomatoes and beans used. Letting it simmer a bit longer can also help deepen the flavor. Love the addition of green chilies, that sounds delicious! 🙂