After what I posted last week about not being ready for fall recipes yet, you probably think I'm a big hypocrite for posting this Freezer-Friendly Vegetarian Chili today. But let me explain!
This is not a fall recipe, you see. It's what I like to call a transitional recipe. It uses summer produce (which is still readily available!), but it's a perfect dinner for a chilly September evening.
And if it's still too early for chilly evenings where you live, well, that's okay, because you can make this chili ahead of time and freeze it.
Veggies and Volume
I know I've mentioned this several times before, but I'm a volume eater. A lot of chili recipes have pretty paltry serving sizes, but I want to have a BIG bowl of chili.
If I had a big bowl of chili made with tempeh or beans, that would mean a lot of calories - calories that I don't need to eat.
So my solution is to cram as many veggies into my chili as I can. This gives me more bang for my buck calorie-wise, but it's also a lot tastier too.
Because: VEGGIES! Isn't a bowl full of veggies much more appetizing than a big bowl of beans?
Freezing Instructions
If you decide you want to make this with summer produce and then freeze it for later this Fall, you'll follow the recipe instructions as they're written below, let the chili cool a bit, then pack it in a freezer bag or Tupperware container and pop it in the freezer.
To reheat: If it's in Tupperware, you can microwave it while it's still frozen; otherwise, just let it thaw in the fridge for a day or two and heat it up on the stovetop over medium heat. Easy!
And if you're a fan of freezer meals like this, then you must check out the complete Oh My Veggies Guide to Freezer Cooking too!
Toppings and Variations
Chris tops his chili with pepper jack cheese, sour cream, and cilantro, while I opt to leave out the sour cream. Crumbled tortilla chips or crackers would be perfect too and if you really want to go wild, you could serve this over baked sweet potatoes.
Sweet potatoes! Am I slowly getting used to the idea that fall is almost here? Perhaps. But only if there's chili involved.
📖 Recipe
Equipment
- dutch oven or heavy stock pot
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or use ¼ teaspoon for more spice!
- 1 small zucchini, diced
- 1 small yellow squash, diced
- 1 small red pepper, diced
- 10 oz canned diced tomatoes with green peppers
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 ear corn, kernels removed
- 1 ½ cups canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 ½ cups canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the onion and cook until it's softened, 5-7 minutes.
- Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and cayenne and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in the zucchini, yellow squash, and red pepper; cook until they're softened, 7-10 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, corn, and beans.
- Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
BusyWorkingMama says
I remember first having zucchini at a neighbor's when she made a veggie chili that was to die for. Your version looks delicious. The fresh herbs must add a lot of good flavor, too.
Kiersten says
Cilantro is really good with chili--I always wonder why more recipes don't call for it!
Grace @ FoodFitnessFreshAir says
I've been freezing so much lately! I'm not excited for winter...but a part of me is excited to revisit all the summer veggie-loaded food I've been cooking up. This sounds like a winner for that category!
Kiersten says
Me too! So much so that I ran out of room in the freezer last weekend. :/ I guess I'm going a little overboard trying to preserve the summer harvest.
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
Love veggie chili! I've cooked something similar but with Quinoa. Beautiful pics!
Kiersten says
Adding quinoa to chili?! That is such a good idea!
Liz @ I Spy Plum Pie says
We've had a cold snap at the start of Spring here so I think this might be a winner for the weekend. I'm like you, I'm all about volume as well!
Kiersten says
I hope you like it if you make it! 🙂
sue mcmahon says
Try substituting plain greek yogurt for sour cream ! (less fat-more protein)
Kiersten says
That's a great idea!
Sarah B says
Can I cook this with a crock pot instead?
Alissa says
Hi Sarah! I think this would work in a crockpot. I'd have to guess at the cook time, but I'd say 3-4 hours on low or 5-6 on high.
Marta@What should I eat for breakfast today says
Eaven if it's a fall recipe, it's worth trying. I like each ingredient.
Yvonne @ bitter baker says
I'm totally ready for fall! And gotta love freezer friendly foods - this looks amazing!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Mmmmm... i'm loving all the comforting veggies in this chili. Yum!
Laura @ Kneadwhine says
I always end up making a huge batch of veggie chilli on Christmas Eve - filling but not calorie high and makes good use of all the veggies that might sit sadly in the fridge while all the other types of eating are going on.
Kiersten says
Chili is perfect winter food! That's a great idea. 🙂
KK says
Why canned tomatoes? I think I'll try with garden crop tomatoes and chilies. Your pictures are beautiful. Thanks.
Kiersten says
If you have them on hand, then by all means use fresh tomatoes and peppers!
justin says
Made this last night. Great flavors and a good spice level. Definetly a keeper!
Kiersten says
I'm glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Keely says
Do I see a Sprecher's cream soda in the background?!
Kiersten says
Yes! 🙂 My husband has cases and cases of it in our pantry right now. He's a little bit obsessed.
mjskit says
Great vegetarian chili! Great idea to use both black beans and kidney beans and then all of those summer veggies. Great recipe!
Genevieve says
I've been collecting chili recipes to try this Fall/Winter, and I've bookmarked this one! I like the sounds of the veggie combo you included (I love corn in chili!) and the mix of beans too. A higher veggie to beans ratio sounds good to me!
Kiersten says
Can you believe it's already almost chili season?! I hope you like it if you make it!
Bonnie says
I just finished making this and it's way good (even though I messed up added an entire tiny can of tomato paste instead of just two tablespoons and then had to add some water to calm down the tomato intensity that resulted!
Kiersten says
I'm glad it turned out well, despite the extra tomato paste! 🙂
Brenda Williams says
I have to try this recipe! I love chili and adding the veggies would really be good.
thwomp says
Looks great! I need to work on getting my partner to eat more veggies so I can cook more meals like this one.
rick baby says
just found your site and recently made the decision to go 100% plant based for a couple of months to sort out some health issues, so looking for lots of delicious recipes, I'm a good cook so can make anything really
I am a total chili addict and cannot get it hot enough mostly, will give your recipe a go, made one last week that was mostly cauliflower, red pepper, carrot and mushroom - was tasty but not really like a chili
gonna hang out on your site checking all the info, already love it
Kiersten Frase says
If you want a chili that has a texture similar to one made with ground beef, try crumbled tempeh. I usually replace it for the meat ounce-for-ounce, adding a little oil to brown it in since it's not fatty like beef.
V.Green says
I made this last night and it was so hearty and delicious! I had two cans of Triple beans (black, kidney and pinto) so I used those and only change was that I added a pack of McCormick Chili Seasoning. We had crinkle fries and the chili on top. I was shocked at how delicious it turned out. I'll admit I was nervous it wouldn't have a hearty flavor or would come out tasting like tomato stew. This recipe is my first attempt into vegetarian cuisine other than salads, pasta and sauce or sautéed vegetable "medleys" I created.
Thank you so much.
Kiersten Frase says
I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂
Jennie O'Connor says
Is there a print button for the recipes that I'm not seeing?
Oh My Veggies says
Yes, there is - I'm not sure why it's not showing up for you?
Jenni says
I know this is an older recipe but I just made it today and I wanted to tell you how much I love it! This is the most flavorful chili I have eaten and it's the first I've made without meat. I made a few adjustments to the recipe - I added a can of green chilies, a can of garbanzo beans, and I cut a sweet potato into small pieces and tossed that in as well. I cooked it a little longer than the recipe said (to ensure the potatoes were well done) and it turned out spectacularly! I have been making chili and freezing individual portions for the week, and I can tell you that this is one I will be making again!
roseabamako says
I just became vegetarian and lots of recipes require meat. This recipe is delicious! 🙂
Katie Trant says
It's one of our favourites, too!
Nancy says
I love the idea of "cramming in veggies." Chili is a favorite in our household, and your vegan chili recipe is a delicious addition to our plant-based diet. Do you ever consider increasing the spice factor? Maybe some habanero peppers?