Ultimate Vegetarian Chili
American Medium

Ultimate Vegetarian Chili

A complex, meatless chili with deep smoky flavor and satisfying texture

americanvegetarianone-potdinnerhigh-fiber
(0 ratings)
⏱️ 1 hour 30 minutes 30 minutes prep · 45 minutes cook
🍽️ 6 Serves
360 Calories
14g Protein
44g Carbs
17g Fat

Why This Recipe Works

A custom paste of toasted dried chiles provides a depth of flavor that store-bought powders simply cannot match. The hearty, meat-like texture is achieved by pulsing mushrooms, walnuts, and bulgur, ensuring a satisfying bowl that stands up to any traditional version.


Instructions

1

Toast the dried ancho, guajillo, and arbol chiles in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until they are fragrant and slightly darkened, about 3 minutes. Transfer them to a bowl and cover with boiling water; let them soak until soft, about 20 minutes.

2

Pulse the mushrooms in a food processor until they are broken down into pieces no larger than 1/4 inch — the processor does the heavy lifting for the texture here.

💡 Avoid over-processing into a paste; you want distinct crumbles.

3

Remove the chiles from the soaking liquid and blend with some of the reserved liquid until a smooth paste forms.

4

Heat the oil in the Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the mushrooms and onion and cook until the liquid has evaporated and the mushrooms are well-browned, about 12 minutes.

5

Stir in the garlic, jalapeño, tomato paste, cumin, and oregano. Cook until the tomato paste is fragrant and has darkened to a rusty brown color, about 2 minutes.

6

Add the chile paste, tomatoes, beans, soy sauce, bulgur, walnuts, and sugar. Break up the whole tomatoes with a wooden spoon and stir to combine all ingredients.

7

Bring the chili to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the bulgur is tender and the liquid has thickened into a rich sauce, about 45 minutes.

8

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with lime wedges, fresh cilantro, and sour cream.


🍽️ Complete the Meal

Tortilla chips CornbreadSour creamFresh cilantroPickled jalapeños
📅
Make Ahead: The chili can be made 1-2 days ahead. The flavors meld and improve with time.
🧊
Storage: Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze this recipe?

Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Freezes well for up to 3 months.

Can I make this ahead of time?

The chili can be made 1-2 days ahead. The flavors meld and improve with time.

What substitutions can I make?
  • walnuts: toasted sunflower seeds
Rohit Bothra
Recipe by

Rohit Bothra

Self-taught cook exploring global vegetarian cuisine from my Atlanta kitchen.

Learn more about me →
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