Easy Vegetarian Black Bean Chili

by Alli

You won’t miss the meat in Easy Vegetarian Black Bean Chili. This chili is perfect on a cold and rainy day. 

Once fall arrives, I’m all about soup, chili, and stew. Once it gets really cold, I could eat some type of soup or chili every night. 

Vegetarian Black Bean Chili happens to be my very favorite chili ever!  I have it at least once a week, sometimes twice! This chili is delicious all year round, but when fall arrives and there’s a chill in the air, I’m inspired to have chili night as often as possible.

Serve this chili with cornbread and top it with anything you like – jalapeno peppers, tortilla chips, chives, sour cream, etc. but it tastes great just the way it is.

Easy Vegetarian Black Bean Chili

This chili is easy to make. Start by sauteing garlic and onion in a tablespoon of hot oil. Stir in the seasonings and saute for 3 minutes. 

Next, stir in the beans and diced tomatoes. Add 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes.  

You Can Use Dried Black Beans Instead of Canned

It’s more prep work because the beans need to be soaked. You can soak them overnight or at least for 3 hours. The cook time will be extended as well. You’ll need to simmer the chili until the beans are tender, about 2-3 hours. Also, you’ll need to add extra water if the beans begin to dry out. 

Bowl of Vegetarian Black Bean Chili

Toppings for Easy Vegetarian Black Bean Chili

For me, chili must be garnished with some tasty toppings. Try some (or all) of these topping ideas:

  • Chopped cilantro (I know, you either love or hate it. I LOVE cilantro)
  • Cubed avocado 
  • Tortilla chips
  • Corn chips (my husband’s favorite topping)
  • Sour Cream
  • Lime wedges 
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Chopped tomatoes
  • Chives

I usually include most of these toppings when I’m serving chili. Buffet style is the way to go and everyone can pick their favorite toppings or none at all.

What to Serve With Vegetarian Black Bean Chili

Whenever I serve chili, I tend to keep things simple, meaning, it’s chili, toppings, and cornbread.

Sometimes, I’ll add a fresh green salad. You can also serve rice. Black beans and rice pair wonderfully together. 

I rarely serve chili without cornbread. I mean, they just go together. Of course, if you’re not a fan of cornbread (gasp!), a sourdough bread works well. 

Yield: 4 servings

Vegetarian Black Bean Chili

Bowl of Vegetarian Black Bean Chili

Vegetarian Black Bean Chili is flavorful and filling. This is my favorite chili and the recipe can be easily doubled.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 cans black beans, 15.5 oz. each
  • 1 large sweet onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced (I use the minced garlic in the jar)
  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 4 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 2 (14.5 oz.) cans petite tomatoes with jalapeno peppers (or plain tomatoes if you don't like the extra spiciness)

Instructions

  1. Drain and rinse 2 cans black beans. Do not drain the 3rd can.
  2. Saute onion and garlic in hot oil in a large dutch oven over med-high heat 5-7 min. or until tender. Stir in chili powder and next 3 ingredients and saute 3 minutes.
  3. Stir in diced tomatoes and the beans.
  4. Add 2 cups water.
  5. Bring to a boil over med-high heat. Reduce to med-low and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 222Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 0mgSodium 233mgCarbohydrates 36gFiber 12gSugar 6gProtein 11g

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When you add the spices to the onion and garlic and saute for a few minutes, it really wakes the spices up and adds such a depth of flavor.  It’s so much better than just throwing in the spices when you add the beans.

Helpful Hint: Sometimes I add thinly sliced carrots or a can of corn to give my vegetarian black bean chili a little twist.  So take this recipe and make it your own.

Hope you like this chili as much as I do! 

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15 comments

Denise September 6, 2019 - 12:01 pm

I love to make chili in the winter time and always on the look out for new ways. This is fabulous

Reply
Amber Myers September 6, 2019 - 2:46 pm

Yum, I just love chili. This looks so good. I’ll be making it when it starts to get chilly out.

Reply
Theresa September 6, 2019 - 2:54 pm

Now that the temps are starting to dip, I am craving chili often. This will be a perfect recipe to save for Meatless Monday. Even more perfect for me, since I am the only vegetarian in the house lol

Reply
Sarah Bailey September 6, 2019 - 4:18 pm

What an absolutely delicious-sounding idea. I bet it has a nice kick to it and would be great to make coming into autumn!

Reply
Chef Dennis September 6, 2019 - 9:27 pm

Fall is fast approaching! And this Vegetarian Black Bean Chili is just so perfect for the coming season! Thanks for sharing.

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Brandy September 6, 2019 - 10:55 pm

Now this looks like an easy enough recipe to try. My middle LOVES chili, usually not when I Make it, but he still loves chili. Perhaps this recipe will win him over. Never thought of making a black bean vegetarian chil before.

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Ruth I September 7, 2019 - 4:20 am

I can imagine doing a lot of things to it. Might be a dip, toppings and a whole lots of list. This is my type of jam.

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Lynndee September 7, 2019 - 9:45 am

Chili is one of our faves especially during fall and winter. I must try your vegetarian chili. Ours have meat.

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Kathy September 7, 2019 - 12:39 pm

This looks really good. It’s now the perfect time for chili too. I love making chili this time of year as well. It’s always so good.

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Marysa September 7, 2019 - 9:01 pm

I am a vegetarian, and I have to say I rarely have chili because it never seems to be vegetarian! Thanks for sharing your recipe – I’d love to make some especially with the fall weather.

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Emily September 8, 2019 - 9:55 am

One of the ads that popped up in the middle of the post was for roasted pecans. I was like wait, you put pecans in your chili????? This does look like a delicious chili, even without pecans.

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Catalina September 8, 2019 - 11:41 am

I am drooling over this bean chili. Exactly the type dish I love for the cold season!

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rika September 8, 2019 - 1:55 pm

This is a delicious healthy black bean soup! I love chili, never tried it with black bean, love the idea!

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Ice Cream n Sticky Fingers September 8, 2019 - 6:06 pm

Yum. I love a good pot of chili. It’s been a while since I’ve made a batch. I can’t wait until it cools off here. I’m ready to eat my favorite soups and chili.

Reply
Kristine Nicole Alessandra September 8, 2019 - 8:45 pm

Adding this to our menu plan this week. It has been a while since I made chili so I guess this will be a pleasant surprise for my family. Thanks for sharing this vegetarian version!

Reply

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