The Ultimate (and simple!) Vegan Chili Recipe! - Eco Food Stuff (2024)

Nothing feels more comforting on a cold, winter or fall day than a warm bowl of chili, so why not give this vegan chili a try!

Where my inspiration came from

Throughout my childhood, every winter my dad would make a similar delicious chili. He would make a batch that served 12 people and we would have leftovers for days! My brother and I would constantly be asking my dad to make it, and everyone in my family loved it! Unfortunately, the recipe my dad makes has ground turkey in it. Now that I’ve cut out meat from my diet, this recipe wasn’t an option anymore. But I wasn’t about to let that stop me from eating chili! So, I made it my mission to create a vegan chili version of my dad’s recipe.

I was thinking about how I could make the recipe vegan and thought about using tofu instead of ground meat. Coincidentally, I had recently run out of tofu but had a sweet potato in my pantry that was starting to go bad. I decided that I might as well just add the sweet potatoes to my experimental vegan chili instead of tofu, and trust me, it turned out AMAZING. There’s just something about sweet potatoes that just feels so cozy and comforting, especially during the fall and winter season.

Is VEGAN chili still chili?

Honestly, the main thing that makes chili what it is is not the meat, but the combination of spices and beans that give the chili the bulk of its flavor. My family was skeptical to try a vegan chili, but discovered that it’s just as good as my dad’s chili and loved it! Just go ahead and give it a try and I promise you won’t be dismayed!

Essential Chili Spices (that make Chili so good):

1. Chili Powder
2. Cumin
3. Cayenne Pepper
4. Paprika

Perfect occasions for vegan chili!

I grew up going to tailgaters for football games, and I loved helping my dad make his chili to share with friends and family. This vegan chili is great for any tailgaters, group events, or thanksgiving, and it’s particularly comforting during the colder months of the year. Sweet potato comes into season in my area during September, October, and November, and I always take advantage of this time to make all my favorite sweet potato recipes, including this one!

A little extra tip to fight food waste 🙂

I know that this recipe asks you to peel your sweet potatoes, but that doesn’t mean that you have to throw out those potato peels. In fact, you can use up those peels in a delicious recipe that turns those undesirable peels into yummy and crispy chips! Not only will you be saving food from being wasted, but you’ll be able to enjoy this fantastic snack with friends, family, or by yourself. Find this recipe HERE.

Watch how to prepare it

Check out how to make this recipe and follow along with my youtube video! Check out my channel, ecofoodstuff!

Curious for more?

Find other delicious vegan and vegetarian recipes here! And, check out our latests posts on the environment, including the first part of our eco-friendly gift guide. For more information about me and my story, check out my about page!