Hearty Veggie Chili

Featured in: Everyday Bites

This hearty veggie chili combines black and kidney beans with sweet corn, diced tomatoes, and a blend of warming spices. Sautéed onions, garlic, bell peppers, and carrots build a rich base while cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and oregano add depth. Simmered until tender and thick, it's a satisfying, nutritious dish suitable for vegan and gluten-free diets. Optional toppings like cilantro, lime, and avocado enhance the fresh flavors. Perfect for a cozy, budget-friendly main dish.

Updated on Wed, 19 Nov 2025 14:22:00 GMT
Steaming bowl of veggie chili, a vibrant Tex-Mex feast, ready for toppings like avocado. Save
Steaming bowl of veggie chili, a vibrant Tex-Mex feast, ready for toppings like avocado. | fryflick.com

A hearty, flavorful chili packed with beans, corn, tomatoes, and warming spices. Perfect for a filling, budget-friendly, vegan and vegetarian meal.

I love making this veggie chili when I want something cozy without much fuss. It is reliably tasty and always disappears quickly when I serve it for family or guests.

Ingredients

  • 1 medium onion: diced
  • 2 cloves garlic: minced
  • 1 red bell pepper: diced
  • 1 green bell pepper: diced
  • 1 large carrot: diced
  • 1 cup corn kernels: fresh, frozen, or canned and drained
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) black beans: drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) kidney beans: drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) diced tomatoes:
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste:
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil:
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin:
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder:
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika:
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander:
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano:
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper: optional, for heat
  • 1 teaspoon salt: or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper:
  • 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth or water:
  • Optional toppings: chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, fresh lime wedges, avocado slices

Instructions

Start the veggies:
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and carrot. Sauté for 4 minutes until beginning to soften.
Add more vegetables:
Add garlic and bell peppers, and continue to cook for another 3 minutes.
Spice it up:
Stir in cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, coriander, oregano, cayenne if using, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring, until fragrant.
Add tomatoes and beans:
Add tomato paste, diced tomatoes, both beans, corn, and vegetable broth. Stir well to combine.
Simmer:
Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and vegetables are tender.
Taste and adjust:
Taste and adjust salt or spices as needed.
Serve:
Serve hot with your choice of toppings.
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| fryflick.com

Our family loves to top this chili with lots of avocado slices and fresh cilantro. It's a dependable dish whenever we need a filling dinner for everyone.

Required Tools

Large pot or Dutch oven, cutting board, knife, wooden spoon or spatula, can opener

Allergen Information

Contains no common allergens, but always check canned goods for traces of gluten or cross-contamination if highly sensitive

Nutritional Information

Per serving: 320 calories, 6 g total fat, 55 g carbohydrates, 13 g protein

A satisfying, rich vegetarian veggie chili with beans, corn, and tomatoes simmering gently. Save
A satisfying, rich vegetarian veggie chili with beans, corn, and tomatoes simmering gently. | fryflick.com

This veggie chili is delicious on its own or alongside rice or tortilla chips. Make a double batch—it's perfect to freeze and enjoy later.

Recipe Guide

What beans work best in this chili?

Black beans and kidney beans provide great texture and flavor balance, but pinto or cannellini beans can be used as substitutes.

Can I adjust the spiciness of the chili?

Yes, add cayenne pepper for heat or include a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce for smoky spice. Adjust to your taste.

How can I make the chili thicker?

Simmer it uncovered for longer to reduce liquid or add extra tomato paste during cooking to thicken the mixture.

What toppings complement this dish?

Fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, lime wedges, and avocado slices add brightness and texture when served.

Is this dish suitable for gluten-sensitive diets?

Yes, all main ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Always check canned items for possible cross-contamination.

Hearty Veggie Chili

Flavorful chili featuring beans, corn, tomatoes, and spices in a hearty, vegan-friendly dish.

Prep duration
15 min
Cook duration
35 min
Complete duration
50 min
Created by Olivia Parker


Complexity Easy

Heritage American, Tex-Mex

Output 4 Portions

Dietary guidelines Plant-Based, No dairy, No gluten

Components

Vegetables

01 1 medium onion, diced
02 2 cloves garlic, minced
03 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 1 green bell pepper, diced
05 1 large carrot, diced
06 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned and drained)

Beans & Tomatoes

01 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
02 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
03 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
04 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Spices & Seasonings

01 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 2 teaspoons ground cumin
03 2 teaspoons chili powder
04 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
06 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
07 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
08 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
09 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Liquids

01 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth or water

Optional Toppings

01 Chopped cilantro
02 Sliced green onions
03 Fresh lime wedges
04 Avocado slices

Method

Phase 01

Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and carrot. Sauté for 4 minutes until they begin to soften.

Phase 02

Add Garlic and Peppers: Add minced garlic, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Cook for an additional 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Phase 03

Incorporate Spices: Stir in ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground coriander, dried oregano, cayenne pepper if using, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Phase 04

Combine Beans, Tomatoes, and Liquids: Add tomato paste, diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, corn kernels, and vegetable broth. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.

Phase 05

Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and vegetables are tender.

Phase 06

Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the chili and adjust salt and spices as preferred. Serve hot topped with optional cilantro, green onions, lime wedges, or avocado slices.

Tools needed

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Can opener

Allergy details

Review ingredients carefully for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if uncertain.
  • Contains no common allergens; naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. Verify canned goods for cross-contamination if highly sensitive.

Nutrition breakdown (per portion)

Values shown are estimates only - please consult healthcare providers for specific advice.
  • Energy: 320
  • Fats: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 55 g
  • Proteins: 13 g