Easy Vegan Chilli Recipe

One recipe I had been excited to share for some time is this delicious vegan chilli. It’s one of my favourite things to cook, and that is for a couple of reasons. It’s super easy to make, and it’s such a fantastic dish for meal prep. It has a long history for me, as it was one of my staple things to cook during my days as a student. My roommate and I tweaked this recipe countless times and found that this easy chilli with a sip of dark beer and chocolate is the way to go for us! 

It is super easy to scale this recipe. From my experience, it isn’t much more work to cook ten portions than to cook two. Also, it is incredibly nutritious and protein-packed. So, if you are busy, this is a fantastic dish to cook ahead for a couple of days. Just a few days ago, scaled this recipe and cooked this chilli sin carne for a group of 12 people. It wasn’t a hassle at all! The dish is fantastic for hosting bigger groups. So, let me jump right into what we need to make this delicious simple vegan chilli! 

Ingredients for this Easy Vegan Chilli Recipe

• Minced meat substitute of choice (I used beyond minced meat) 
• Beans (white & kidney sort)
• Tomato polpa 
• Tomato concentrate 
• Dark vegan chocolate
• Dark beer (stout or something comparable) 
• Maple syrup
• Cooking Oil (I used peanut)
• Yellow or white onions
• Garlic
• Cilantro 
• Lime 
• Salt
• Fresh Chilli/Chilli powder (depending on preference and spiciness)
• Garlic powder
• Paprika powder
• Smoked paprika powder
• Ground Cumin
• Cinnamon powder

So, overall, this chilli doesn’t need a lot of ingredients to taste amazing. If you don’t like to include processed products, feel free to substitute the meat substitute with crumbled tofu or to increase the amount of beans. The chilli still is going to taste fantastic. Also, check if your minced meat substitute is a gluten-free option if this is important to you. You can, of course, also add vegetables of your choice to the chilli. I sometimes also bell peppers or corn, but this is optional. Most times, I stick with this basic recipe!

Aside from that, you only need a few basic spices. Then, there are two special ingredients you might have stumbled across when reading through that ingredient list: Chocolate and dark beer! These two bring a delicious depth of flavour to the dish, and the cocoa in the chocolate will introduce a slight bitterness to the chilli. Trust me. It makes all the difference. When you get the ratios right, you wouldn’t be able to tell there is chocolate or beer in this chilli, but the chilli has this certain “something”, and it would taste less good without it. Still, if you don’t drink, feel free to omit the beer or try swapping it for an alcohol-free alternative. 

How to make Easy Chilli Sin Carne: 

Making the delicious is super easy, and you only need one pot. Firstly, we want to prepare our vegetables. Peel your onions, and dice them finely. Next, crush and cut the garlic cloves. Rinse your beans, and we are good to go starting cooking! 

Heat your oil in a pot on medium heat. Gently sauté the onions. When turning translucent, add the garlic, and sauté a few more minutes. Next, add the tomato puree and the minced meat substitute, and let it develop gentle roast flavours.

Deglaze the pot with a small sip of beer. Add the tomato polpa, rinsed beans, maple syrup, and spices. I like to take some water to wash out the canned tomato polpa, which usually gives just the right amount of liquid for the chilli. Cover the pot and allow to simmer together for 15 minutes. 

Once that time has passed, take off the lid and check for seasoning. Continue simmering the chilli until it reaches your desired consistency. This may well take another 20-30 minutes. Add more spices to your liking. Finish the chilli with the remaining beer and a bit of chocolate. Allow the chocolate to melt, mix well, and check the taste.

Add more chocolate to your liking, but be careful not to overdo it. It should not become a prominent taste. Let the chilli cook for at least ten more minutes.

How to Plate the Chilli:

Firstly, I like the chilli to rest a bit before plating it, it develops a deeper flavour after resting for twenty minutes. Dress it with freshly squeezed lime juice and finely chopped cilantro! You can enjoy the vegan chilli with rice, which is usually my go-to. Nevertheless, having it with potatoes, bread, or even just eating it by itself is fantastic too. Eating it with quinoa is an interesting combination, which adds a good bit of protein as well! But feel free to try other sides. It can go well with so many things. 

For how long will the Chilli Sin Carne stay Fresh?  

In my opinion, chilli is a dish that tastes better if you make it in advance. The flavours have more time to come together like that! So usually, I prepare this chilli a day in advance. You can store the chilli easily for three days in the fridge after making it. You can also freeze the chilli and reheat it at your convenience. It will taste amazing nevertheless! 

Is this Chilli Healthy: 

This chilli is loaded with plant protein. The beans have quality protein and are rich in folates, antioxidants, and other micronutrients. Furthermore, the dish features lots of different spices, which have potential health benefits. Depending on what meat substitute you add, you might add additional protein to the chilli. Even though you add beer to the dish, most alcohol evaporates while simmering.

More Recipe Inspirations: 

If you liked this chilli, I could imagine you enjoying this delicious vegan lasagne as well! It’s one of my go-to dishes! Or how about a shepherd’s pie?

For vegan Mexican-inspired dishes, give these a look: 

• These vegan fusion tacos are delicious.
• Vegan chicken quesadillas are such a comfort food!
• Enjoy some of this delicious guacamole. It goes so well with this chilli.