Vegetarian Chili With Winter Vegetables Recipe (2024)

By Martha Rose Shulman

Vegetarian Chili With Winter Vegetables Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour 30 minutes
Rating
4(3,478)
Notes
Read community notes

I have made several versions of vegetarian chili; in some the beans take center stage, others are just as focused on vegetables. This thick, satisfying chili is equally focused on both. I particularly like the way the sweet flavor and comforting, creamy texture of the winter squash plays against the spicy flavors in the chili.

Featured in: Vegetarian Chili With Winter Vegetables

Learn: How to Make Chili

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have

    10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers.

    Learn more.

    Subscribe

  • Print Options

    Include recipe photo

Advertisem*nt

Ingredients

Yield:6 to 8 servings

  • 1recipe simmered pintos or 3 (14-ounce) cans
  • 2tablespoons grapeseed, sunflower or canola oil
  • 1onion, finely chopped
  • 1large or 2 medium carrots, cut in small dice
  • 1red pepper, diced (optional)
  • 2large garlic cloves, minced
  • 3tablespoons mild ground chili (or use hot, or use more)
  • 1tablespoon lightly toasted cumin seeds, ground
  • 128-ounce can chopped tomatoes
  • 1teaspoon dried oregano, preferably Mexican oregano
  • 2tablespoons tomato paste dissolved in 1 cup water
  • 2cups diced winter squash (about ¾ pound)
  • Salt to taste
  • ½cup chopped cilantro
  • Grated cheddar or Monterey Jack, or crumbled queso fresco for garnish (optional)

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

85 calories; 4 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 2 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 12 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 6 grams sugars; 2 grams protein; 451 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by

Vegetarian Chili With Winter Vegetables Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Heat the beans on top of the stove in a large soup pot or Dutch oven.

  2. Heat the oil over medium heat in a heavy nonstick skillet and add the onion, carrot and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are tender and beginning to color, about 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic, stir together until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute, and add the ground chili and cumin. Cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes, until the mixture begins to stick to the pan. Add the tomatoes and oregano, and salt to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down and the mixture is beginning to stick to the pan, about 10 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste dissolved in water and bring back to a simmer. Season with salt to taste and simmer, stirring often, for 10 minutes, until the mixture is thick and fragrant.

  3. Step

    3

    Stir the tomato mixture into the beans. Add the winter squash and bring to a simmer. Simmer, stirring often, for 30 to 45 minutes. It is important to stir often so that the chili doesn’t settle and stick to the bottom of the pot. It should be thick; if you desire you can thin out with water. Taste and adjust salt.

  4. Step

    4

    Shortly before serving stir in the cilantro and simmer for 5 minutes. Spoon into bowls. If you wish, top with grated cheddar, Monterey jack, or crumbled queso fresco.

Tip

  • Advance preparation: The simmered beans can be made 3 or 4 days ahead and the chili will keep for 3 or 4 days in the refrigerator. You will probably want to thin it out with water is it will continue to thicken. It freezes well.

Ratings

4

out of 5

3,478

user ratings

Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Note on this recipe and see it here.

Cooking Notes

barbara

how many cans of beans did you use?

Susan

Does "mild ground chili" refer to chili powder, or a fresh ground chili pepper?

Kathleen

I used a combination of black beans and moro beans from Rancho Gordo. I also used tomatoes from my freezer (I just freeze them whole in the summer when I have too many) and subbed ground up dried tomatoes for the tomato paste for thickening. And ground cumin. Other than that I followed the recipe...and I won a chili cook-off! (11/7/2015)

CEM

I used canned (drained) pinto beans to cut down on the time required to make this recipe, and simmered them briefly in vegetable broth with sautéed onion and garlic. I also increased the amount of squash, carrots, and bell pepper by ~50% - it turned out very well.

islandteacher

So, when making the pinto beans from the linked recipe, you don't drain the cooking liquid and that serves as the 'stock' for the chili? Is that right?

Passion for Peaches

Butternut squash, diced jalapeño added to red bell, 3 tbsp. ground ancho chile and 1 tbsp. guajillo, pinch smoked paprika, 2 cans beans, well washed,1 tbsp. coffee concentrate, 1 fresh bay leaf, sherry vinegar added last five minutes (2 tsp.) for brightness. Served -- topped with pico de gallo (diced radish, scallion, salt, gd. chili, lime), dollop sour cream, slivers of jack cheese -- w/whole wheat tortillas. Cheese unnecessary, IMO. Great! Cooked squash covered 10 mins. before adding beans.

Sara Tipton

I just won second place (out of 7) in a chili cook-off at work with this recipe, no adjustments! It was the only vegetarian entry and still a winner! Thank you!

Rob Bierregaard

Any reason not to throw some other winter veggies in--like turnip or parsnip?

Passion for Peaches

In my experience, a tablespoon of toasted and ground cumin yields about one rounded teaspoon. I never bother doing the toasting and grinding in a dish this highly flavored. I used a teaspoon of ground, jarred cumin and it came out well.

Susan

Everyone loved this chili. I also used canned organic pinto beans and included the juice so I didn't have to add any liquid when I reheated it after leaving in the refrigerator for 2 days. I used butternut squash and even a little more than recipe said. No one thought it was too sweet. Skipped the cilantro because I just forgot. Definitely a keeper for my family.

Black Cat

This was fab! If you are a purest & follow the recipe exactly, stop reading now! I always read the comments section, and took advice from several of the readers. Added a yellow pepper, a poblano pepper, a jalapeno pepper and a chipotole. No water. A 28 oz can of italian chopped & a 15 oz can of chopped fire roasted tomatoes. Butternut squash & 2 sweet potatoes. Followed Step 2. Put it all in a crock pot, and stuck it in the fridge. Cooked next day. 1 can each pinto & black beans before serving.

MUP

I thought this was very good but doubled the amount of squash and think that extra squash helped balance the other flavors.

Jeanie Cass

This is a superb recipe which allows for lots of flexibility. I always try a NYT recipe exactly as written first, and then experiment, if it's one that's a keeper. This is wonderful: flavorful, nourishing and satisfying; and Martha Rose Schulman always remembers the nutritional info that is so important to those of us with health challenges in the family, with friends' diets, etc.

Ros

I used 3 cans of beans (wasn't sure of the equivalent quantity for the simmered bean recipe) added another cup of squash (to use up the whole squash!) and after tasting, added a little more hot chili powder as it was a bit mild for my taste. Next time will add jalapeño or 2, but overall a really tasty veg chili and definitely making again.

Liz

I used a 14 oz can of canellini beans and a 14 oz of drained black beans in lieu of the pinto beans; also added 1 little yellow chile pepper as I had it on hand. We loved the textures and flavors and will probably continue to make this instead of our regular meat based chili....no kidding....it was that good!

AEB

Really great recipe. I made it as is, and then added some ground meat to make it a meat chili.

Christy Lemp

I used one can of mixed beans, left out the red pepper. Added cauliflower, roasted 2 cups of butternut squash and a sweet potato, and an extra can of diced tomatoes, and a touch of unsweetened cocoa powder (2 tsp. Approximately) This made about 7 servings. To make more I Would double the tomatoes. There were plenty of vegetables. It was very delicious and a deep rich flavor.

Kim H

Cooked as written but added 1/4 tsp of liquid smoke 5 minutes before serving.

Ronald

This was great. I started with simmered pintos and included the epazote (new to me). Followed the recipe closely but added a bit of heat. Question: What is the point of adding tomato paste thinned with water, after the canned tomatoes?

BrooklynCook

Way too bland! Needed a ton more spices and jalapenos to make it work.

pjoe

I added 2-3 tsp dark molasses at the end and because I now prefer less spicy additions I used mild chili. I had left over water from boiling sweet potatoes. Delicious.

Gabby F

Delicious. I used acorn squash (roughly 2x the amount in the recipe), added more bell pepper, and I added kashmiri red chili, cayenne, and chili powder. Very hearty. I used a can of crushed tomatoes instead of diced, and I dont think it needed tomato paste.

Kiara

Simple and easily customizable. We were happy with this recipe and will make again. We added some hot peppers for our own taste. We serve ours with shredded cheddar cheese and a scoop of full fat Greek yogurt.

Theresa

I just made this for the sixth time and over time have tweaked it some with different beans and peppers (because it’s chili and you’re supposed to.) Its a wonderful vegan dish everyone likes. My one issue is my squash takes a long time to soften, so I need to leave extra time for this step and wait to add the beans so they don’t turn to mush. This last time I microwaved the squash for 2 minutes before adding to give it a head start, that seemed to work too.

Sarah

Delicious! I started with the simmered pintos and used a delicata squash. The only other addition was 2T of soy sauce.

karen

It was excellent. I added 2 cups of broth from the cooked beans to the mixture

Natalie

This is really phenomenal! I used a can of pinto and a can of cannellini beans, and added 2 jalapeños. I drained only one can of beans and ended up adding probably 1/2 cup of water that the recipe didn’t call for.

Pamela Patton

This is a great recipe as written, but I rounded out the flavor with a splash of coffee and some cinnamon, as in Texas chili, and it was even better.

Kristen

WOW. Our family has a few NYT chili recipes in regular rotation, and I think this one just rose to the top! No mods whatsoever. I will say it is a recipe that requires a solid 1.5 hrs of hands on attention, but end results are worth it. I am doing some meal prep as our family is growing, and wanted a few freezer staples that weren’t creamy heavy casseroles. My future sleep-deprived self is already thanking my 39-weeks pregnant self for this nourishing meal!

Kaila

-cook beans on low, not medium bc they get mushy-can add rotisserie chicken but not a whole one—needs more tomatoes if you do-can add a hot pepper, comes out sweet (or can buy diced tomatoes with diced green chile’s)-used butternut squash

Private notes are only visible to you.

Vegetarian Chili With Winter Vegetables Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to chili to make it unique? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

How many days is vegetarian chili good for? ›

How to store and reheat vegetarian chili. In the refrigerator: this plant-based chili will stay good in your fridge for about 1 week. Once your chili is completely cooled, just place it in an airtight container (or multiple, if you'd like to meal prep it) without the additional toppings and place it in the fridge.

Is vegetarian chili good for you? ›

Health benefits

As a Dietitian, I love a one bowl meal that has complex carbs, protein, plenty of veggies, and healthy fat all in one. This chili is packed with plant protein and filling fiber from beans and veggies, making it crazy hearty. Regular consumption of beans can help lower cardiovascular risk.

What are the best beans for chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

What is the secret to amazing chili? ›

Here Are Our Six Secret Ingredients for the Best Chili
  • Canned Puréed Pumpkin. You already use this to make pumpkin-infused quick breads and waffles, but did you know you can add it to chili too? ...
  • Cocoa Powder. ...
  • Coffee. ...
  • Maple Syrup. ...
  • Pepperoncinis (Plus Liquid) ...
  • Root Beer.
Sep 2, 2022

Can vegetarian chili sit out overnight? ›

Anything over 2 hours is a risk according to Federal Guidelines, but there are a couple of things here that make this a reduced risk. The temperature is low but still not fridge temperatures.

Does celery go in chili? ›

Combine tomatoes, onion, celery, carrot, tomato paste, steak sauce, bell peppers, wine, and red pepper flakes in a large pot. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat.

Can vegetarian chili be left out overnight? ›

The USDA says food that has been left out of the fridge for more than two hours should be thrown away. At room temperature, bacteria grows incredibly fast and can make you sick. Reheating something that has been sitting at room temperature for longer than two hours won't be safe from bacteria.

What can you put in chili besides beans? ›

Replacing up to 2 cups chopped vegetables is a great choice and one of the best substitutes – Cauliflower florets, broccoli florets, bell pepper, white or portobello mushrooms, sweet peas or split peas, carrots, zucchini or butternut squash.

What can be added to chili? ›

You can add chili beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, green pepper, jalapenos, habaneros, serranos, potatoes, hominy, corn, chili powder, cumin, tomato sauce, cayenne peppers, cheese, sour cream, banana pepper rings, soy sauce, Hesheys cocoa powder, peanut butter, and so so much more!

What does eating chili do to your body? ›

Chili peppers contain a compound called capsaicin, which causes the burning sensation you feel after eating them. But capsaicin also can also help to alleviate pain by depleting the body's supply of Substance P, a neurotransmitter that sends pain signals to the brain.

Which onion is best for chili? ›

Sweet onions are great for caramelizing due to their higher sugar content. You can cook them into your chili, serve them raw over top, or even elevate your chili with a sophisticated caramelized onion topping! Some of my favorite sweet onions are Walla, Walla, Maui, and Vidalia Onions.

What kind of tomatoes do you use for chili? ›

Roma tomatoes break down well in slow-cooking dishes like chili. Chili: Roma tomatoes. They stew well and don't take long to break down.

Are cannellini or great northern beans better for chili? ›

Whether you're making a white chili or you just want contrast in your traditional chili pot, cannellini beans have a rich, meaty texture and hold up well to heat.

What can you add to chili for extra flavor? ›

Spices: While cumin, chile powder, and cayenne pepper tend to be common additions to many chili recipes, there's a broad world of flavor out there to experiment with. Try a little fenugreek, turmeric, garam masala, or sumac to layer in more complex flavors. Smoky paprika is my own personal favorite.

What are good add ons for chili? ›

Choose your chili topping bar ideas: Guacamole, Pico de gallo, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, diced red onion/pickled red onion, sliced scallions, sliced/pickled radish, sliced/pickled jalapeños, chopped fresh cilantro, lime wedges, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled queso fresco, sour cream/Greek yogurt, queso dip, ...

What to add to boring chili? ›

Add garlic, cumin, and probably more salt. Chipotle chili powder is really nice in chili. Just add a little at a time until it tastes the way you want it too.

What is my chili missing? ›

Add beans or veggies.

Sweet potatoes, winter squash, and a regular potato all work. Adding more beans helps too. Thick, refried beans can do wonders for a thin chili.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Last Updated:

Views: 6363

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Birthday: 1992-08-21

Address: Apt. 237 662 Haag Mills, East Verenaport, MO 57071-5493

Phone: +331850833384

Job: District Real-Estate Architect

Hobby: Skateboarding, Taxidermy, Air sports, Painting, Knife making, Letterboxing, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.