Name: Vegetarian Chili Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 5
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups vegetable broth (divided); 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa (rinsed (see notes)); 1 tablespoon light oil, such as avocado, vegetable or olive oil; 1 medium onion (diced); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 tablespoon chili powder; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika preferred); 1 teaspoon cayenne; 1 can tomato sauce ((15 ounces)); 1 can petite diced or fire-roasted tomatoes ((15 ounces), don't drain the juice); 2 cans kidney beans (rinsed and drained (15 ounces each)); Shredded cheese; Diced green onion; Sour cream; Tortilla chips; Avocado

My favorite thing aboutVegetarian Chili with Quinoais how full of flavorful it is. This recipe is vegetarian friendly and can be made vegan by using plant-based shredded cheese and sour cream instead of regular.

If you are looking for a hearty and filling chili with a wild amount of flavor-this Vegetarian Chili is just the thing. This chili is so good that even meat lovers will think it is delicious.

white bowl of vegetarian chili with soup cream and cheese on top

Vegetarian Chili with Quinoa

This vegan chili is packed with quinoa and beans making it a great source of protein even though there is no meat in the recipe. This chili is incredibly filling and no one will miss the meat! I like to serve this yummy chili withcornbreadand a side salad to really complete the meal.

If you think this spicy and flavorful chiliis good just wait until you try the leftovers. The flavors marinate together after time and become oh so tasty. This chili lasts up to a week and also freezes really well too.

Even though this chili is vegetarian, it can also be non-vegetarian and has been tested several times by my husband with the added ingredients of a pound of ground beef, garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste.

Ingredients

Vegetable broth
Uncooked quinoa
Onion
Garlic
Spices: chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne
Tomato sauce
Diced or fire-roasted tomatoes
Kidney beans

Recipe Instructions

Cook the quinoa in 1 cup vegetable broth in a medium sauce pan.
While the quinoa is cooking, add the oil to a large stock pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add the spices in with the onion and garlic and stir until all vegetables are covered in the spices and the spices start to smell good.
Add in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, remaining 1 cup of vegetable broth, and the kidney beans, stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and then simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Stir the cooked quinoa into the large pot, then serve and add optional toppings to taste.

white bowl of vegetarian chili with avocado on top

Frequently Asked Questions

I like my food hot and spicy, would this be a good chili recipe for me?

Yes! It’s not as hot and spicy as some Indian or Mexican foods, but for being an American dish, it has a little zip! Just leave out the cayenne if you don’t want the heat.

What is vegetarian chili made of?

The base of this chili recipe is kidney beans, tomato sauce, veggie broth, quinoa and spices.

How can I make this recipe less like individual ingredients mixed together and a bit thicker and well-mixed?

If you have an immersion blender you can gently blend portions of the chili to get it a bit thicker and blended more. It will also be thicker the day after you make it as the quinoa will absorb more of the liquid.

How long does this chili last in the fridge and how do I reheat it?

It will last about 5-7 days in the fridge and can be reheated in the microwave, or if you prefer to avoid the microwave, it can be reheated in a pot on medium heat until warm.

How can I re-use this recipe other than simply using it as chili?

You can use it as a dip for tortilla chips in the place of salsa, use it as a burrito or quesadilla filling, or use it to stuff peppers, top potatoes, and more!

white bowl of vegetarian chili with a spoon

More Recipes

If you’ve tried thisVegetarian Chilior any other recipe on Rcova, then don’t forget torate the recipeand leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories.

Vegetarian Chili with Quinoais my new favorite vegetarian meal. It is easy to make, packed with protein and will incite a dance party for your tastebuds. Yum!