Love to warm up with a sweet chili? Try this game-day vegetarian chili on for size! It is a veg chili but hearty enough that your meat eating friends won't notice!
SWEET VEGETARIAN CHILI RECIPE
This, my friends, is one of my favorite recipes! It has truly withstood the test of 'my family' over many years. I’ve made and taken this easy vegan chili to many football parties and get-togethers, and I always get compliments. This is one of the first "vegetarian" recipes that we ever made!
In the past we've made Spicy Vegetarian Chili but if you don't like spicy foods, try this recipe instead. Chili isn't complete without cornbread! You have got to try this Gluten Free Cornbread recipe.
I remember it was during my Weight Watchers days that I first found it and made it my own:) By the way, if you came here looking for a vegan Weight Watchers chili recipe, it is 3 points per serving, or at least it was according to my calculations YEARS ago! (Leave a comment if you know how many points it is with the newer system!)
It’s been a long time since I did Weight Watchers, but this easy vegetarian chili is still one of our favorites. I go to this meatless chili recipe whenever I need a quick, easy meal for my family or to feed a group.
As written, this recipe serves about six. Double it if you need to feed a crowd! We recently updated the pictures! New pictures but the same great recipe!
INGREDIENTS IN VEGETARIAN CHILI
These simple ingredients pack a HUGE amount of flavor! Chances are you have most of them in your fridge, freezer, and pantry!
Olive Oil - To saute the vegetables.
Onion -Creates a base of warm, homey flavors.
Bell Pepper - Adds sweetness and bulk to the chili.
Chili Powder - of course we need chili powder to add heat.
Sugar - this is a sweet chili, afterall!
Balsamic Vinegar- This is a secret ingredient that really pulls all of the flavors together.
Canned Tomatoes - Crushed tomatoes are perfect for this recipe, and if you can find it, get fire roasted tomatoes.
Black Beans - One of my favorite type of beans, filled with fiber and nutrition.
Kidney Beans - These beans are classic for a hearty chili.
White Beans- these smaller beans are typically seen in chili recipes. All three types of beans work well together. Use whatever type of beans you have on hand.
Corn - Use fresh or frozen corn kernels.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you.
Canned beans and tomatoes are always in my cupboards. I like to keep a variety of different beans and always have a few cans of fire-roasted tomatoes in there too. You’ll be amazed at all of the fabulous, simple vegetarian recipes you can make with these two canned goods. There is not a vegetarian chili recipe anywhere that doesn’t call for canned beans. Homemade chili pretty much requires them.
From the freezer, we need some frozen corn. Again, I always try to keep this on hand. My kids love it as a side with dinner, and I add it into many of my Southwestern-inspired dishes. Some oil and vinegar, spices, sugar, an onion and bell pepper, and we are ready to go with our vegan sweet chili recipe.
Be sure to check out the Vegetarian Sweet Chili recipe video, we posted!
HOW TO MAKE VEGETARIAN SWEET CHILI
- In a large stockpot, saute the onions and bell peppers until soft.
- Add tomatoes to the pot.
- Add beans to the pot.
- Add spices to the pot.
- Simmer as directed in recipe below.
These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the recipe below.
WHAT IS SWEET CHILI?
This is what we call a Chili that is more sweet than it is spicy. Some chili recipes are savory, spicy, salty. This one is sweeter, and the sweet offsets the spice of the chili powder really nicely. You can substitute your favorite sweetener for the sugar in the recipe. Try honey or agave, get creative!
Looking for a Vegetarian Paleo Chili? Check out what Perry's Plate posted! YUM! I love this recipe because you can make it as sweet as you like by adjusting the sugar added.
This recipe also doubles well and freezes well. Leftovers of this vegetarian chili are even better the next day. My husband loves when he gets sweet chili leftovers for lunch. What more can a girl ask for?
WHAT TO SERVE WITH VEGAN CHILI
Serve your vegan chili with cornbread, biscuits, or your favorite gluten-free bread or crackers. Top it with cheese or a vegan cheese substitute if you like too!
OTHER GAME DAY SNACKS TO TRY
Air Fryer Honey Sriracha Cauliflower is like chicken wings, but with cauliflower!
Vegan Thai Lettuce Cups are a handheld masterpiece that is so simple to make.
Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! Hey - If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and Facebook, too!
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Vegetarian Sweet Chili
Ingredients
- 1 T olive oil
- ½ cup onion diced
- 1 ½ cups bell pepper diced (pick your favorite color of bell pepper)
- 6 t chili powder
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 T balsamic vinegar
- 1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes I like fire roasted
- 1 ½ cup black beans no liquid
- 1 ½ cup red kidney beans no liquid
- 1 ½ cup white beans no liquid (Use your favorite white bean)
- 1 cup of corn fresh niblets or frozen
Instructions
- In a large stockpot, saute the onions and bell peppers until soft.
- Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil.
- Simmer for 25 minutes.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition
Some of our older pictures:
It says bring to a boil..... how much water do you add?
WE do not add any water, we bring the tomatoes and their juices to a boil The chili is thicker and you could easily add a 1/2 cup to 1 cup of water if you wanted 🙂
How many people does this serve?
Making one batch of this recipe serves roughly 6 depending on how big your bowl is. It freezes well so we typically have 2 adult servings plus lunch for the next day and freeze a container which is equal to 2 adult bowls 🙂
I’m going to try this ASAP! Is there anyway to substitute balsamic vinegar or just leave it out entirely?
Yes, you can leave it out 🙂
I have to try it! I have a fixation on the chili in any way! Yummy vegetarian!
Thanks, I hope you love it!
This looks lovely, i bet it would be nice if you put it in a slow cooker to cook too.
Yes, it could easily throw it in your slow cooker!
oh yummmmmmm!!! I am making this tomorrow without fail, i love it and looks so delicious. Thank you so much for the recipe.
So welcome!
I really love meatless chili. You can make it so hearty and flavorful that you won't miss the meat at all.
Agreed!
I love chili, and the sweet vegetarian version really appeals to me. Can't wait to try this recipe out soon! My friends will love it! 🙂
ENJOY!
Ohhhh, this sounds so good! I would eat it outside of game day as well! lol
Yes, perfect for anytime really! 🙂
This vegetarian chili will definitely be a hit in my house. You made it looks so easy to combine ingredients without meat. Great recipe!
Thank you!
The sweet chilli looks delicious nad it's packed with all the vegetables and flavours I love. Lovely recipe.
Thank you!