Chili is one of those cozy dinners we make once a week come wintertime. We’re pretty much always craving a spicy, warm bowlful. Bonus: It’s one of the easiest dishes to make vegetarian without changing much flavor or texture. So if you’re trying to cut back on meat or just get in more veg on a regular basis, veggie chili recipes are a must-have. These nine vegetarian (and some vegan!) chilis are just waiting to be made.
1. One-Pot Red Lentil Vegetarian Chili
Red lentils and beans make for a super-filling chili that’s the best possible solution to warm up a cold winter’s night. The thick, stewy texture won’t leave you hungry for a second dinner either.
2. Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato and Quinoa Vegetarian Chili
Expand your chili-horizons and throw cubed sweet potato and quinoa into a black bean-based veggie chili. For added easiness, the whole recipe can be dumped into a slow cooker and forgotten about until it’s time to eat.
3. Pinto Bean and Corn Vegetarian Chili
Classic chili minus the meat doesn’t taste like it’s missing anything, so you best put on a pot of this pinto bean chili ASAP. A side of cornbread is definitely not optional.
4. Miso Tempeh Chili
Nope, that’s no typo: This chili has miso paste in it, and it is awesome. The savory paste adds a level of depth to the broth—other veggie versions just can’t compete.
5. Vegetarian Lentil Chili
While beans seem a no-brainer for vegetarian chili, give lentils a chance this time. Their quick-to-absorb tendencies make for a super-flavorful base to tomatoes, onions, pepper, and garlic. Our favorite part is that it’s self-thickened: Blend a few cups of the cooked chili until smooth, then stir it back into the pot.
6. Vegetarian Chickpea White Chili
White chicken chili is a classic, but who says chickpeas can’t take chicken’s place every now and then? This way-too-easy recipe uses a jar of salsa verde (which you might even have in your kitchen cabinet right now) and spices galore.
7. Vegetarian Tempeh Chili
This smoky tempeh chili is best served with a bowl of rice and a dollop of zingy cashew cream. But TBH we’re ready to grab a bag of chips and start dunking, how about you?