3-Bean Chili {Vegan}

This delicious meatless 3-Bean Chili makes a quick, easy and healthy meal that can be made in one pot in less than 30 minutes, so it’s perfect for those busy weeknights! You can also make up a batch and store it in the freezer for a meal in a pinch! Best vegan chili ever! {Vegan & gluten-free}

These days, we can’t get enough of this delicious 3-bean chili. It’s totally plant based, but you don’t even miss the meat!

I’m all about stress-free meals, especially on those super busy days, and this meal totally fits the bill. This one pot easy vegan chili uses basic pantry and freezer staples, so it’s budget-friendly, super simple to prepare and can be made in less than 30 minutes!

Filled with a mix of three different types of beans, veggies and just the right amount of spice, it’s jam packed with fibre and protein and makes for a hearty and filling bowl of goodness.

For more healthy chili recipes, check out this High Protein Chili, Beef & Quinoa Chili, and White Chicken Chili!

Why we love this plant based chili

• Because this recipe is primarily made up of beans and vegetables, that means it’s packed full of fibre, which not only makes you feel full for longer, but it can also help to improve your digestive health, stabilize blood sugar levels and has positive benefits on overall heart health, such as lowering cholesterol.
• Beans are also a great source of plant-based protein, weighing in at about 15 grams of protein per one cup serving.
• Most types of beans are good sources of many vitamins and minerals such as potassium, a mineral that promotes healthy blood pressure levels. Additionally, they’re an excellent source of copper, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, as well as iron. They also contain B vitamins such as thiamin, folic acid, riboflavin and vitamin B6.
• Easy to prepare. It’s one of those meals that you can whip up on a weeknight when you have no clue what to make in half an hour or less.
• Freezer-friendly. Make up a big batch of this chili and freeze the rest for a ready-made meal the following week (or for future weeks)!

So many reasons to LOVE this nutrient-packed meatless chili!

Ingredient notes

• Vegetables: We typically use onion and bell peppers to add some additional flavour, fibre and nutrients to the chili. You can also add other vegetables such as carrots or celery.
• Garlic: Use fresh garlic for the best flavour.
• Spices: Cumin, chili powder, and red pepper flakes are the spices used to flavour up the chili. Add less red pepper flakes or leave them out all together if you prefer a milder chili.
• Beans: We generally use no salt added canned kidney beans, black beans and chickpeas. You can sub in your favourite types of beans. Pinto beans or white beans would also work well.
• Tomato paste: Adds more of a rice tomato flavour to the base of the chili.
• Diced tomatoes: Use canned no salt added or low sodium canned diced tomatoes.
• Tomato sauce: I typically use whatever tomato-based sauce I have on hand. Jarred marinara sauce or canned tomato sauce both work well.
• Broth: Use no salt added or reduced sodium vegetable broth. You can also use chicken broth if you don’t require the chili to be plant based.
• Corn: You can use frozen corn, canned or corn kernels fresh off the cob. I typically use frozen corn for this recipe since it’s so easy to just dump into the pot.
• Maple syrup: Adds a hint of sweetness to the chili. Use 100% pure maple syrup. You can also use honey if you don’t require the chili to be vegan.

How to make bean chili – step by step instructions

My favourite part about this recipe is that it only requires a few simple steps and can be made in one pot without a whole lot of fuss (or clean up)!

Step 1: In a large sauce pan, sauté onions, bell peppers and garlic in olive oil over medium-high heat until tender and fragrant, about 5-6 minutes.

Step 2: Add spices, and stir until combined. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Step 3: Add remaining ingredients to the pan and mix to combine.

Step 4: Adjust heat to medium-low, cover and allow to cook for about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Top with desired ingredients and serve!

Recipe Tips

• I typically use no salt-added chickpeas, kidney beans and black beans because I like the variation in texture and colour. Feel free to use your favourite types of beans or whatever you have on hand.
• Be sure to rinse the beans well before adding them to the chili.
• The chili tends to thicken a little bit as it sits. Add some additional broth before serving if you prefer a thinner chili.

Recipe FAQs

Serving suggestions

Chili just wouldn’t be chili without some amazing toppings to compliment all those mouthwatering flavours.

Here are some of my favourite ways to top up this chili:

• Chopped green onion
• Diced avocado
• Shredded cheese
• Dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream
• Guacamole
• Lime Juice
• Chopped cilantro
• Crushed tortilla chips

Recipe variations

• Spice level: We find the spice level of this recipe to be just right, but you can always increase or decrease the spice level according to your personal taste preferences. For additional heat, add a more chili flakes, cayenne pepper or a bit of hot sauce.
• Add meat: If you prefer your chili to have meat, you can always add in some ground beef, chicken or turkey to further increase the protein.
• Switch up the spices: Add whatever spices you’d like to spruce up your chili. You can always add in some store-bought or homemade taco seasoning to make it super easy.

More similar recipes

• Tuscan Soup with White Beans
• Vegan Black Bean Tostadas
• Easy Vegan Chickpea Curry
• Vegan Lentil Tacos
• Instant Pot Lentil & Sweet Potato Thai Curry
• Black Bean & Brown Rice Meal Prep Bowls
• Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Avocado Creme
• Vegan Rainbow Falafel Wrap

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This recipe was originally posted in February 2017, and was updated with new photos and helpful tips in November 2021.