Creamy Healthy Vegetarian White Chili Recipe (with vegan option) (2024)

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Creamy Vegetarian White Chili recipe that is cozy and filling (with vegan option). Ideal for healthy weeknight meals or chilly afternoons.

Creamy Healthy Vegetarian White Chili Recipe (with vegan option) (1)

First post of 2017 – woot woot! How are you all feeling? Refreshed? Excited? Or overwhelmed at the thought of all the things you put off at the end of 2016? I’m honestly feeling a little bit of all three. Instead of getting a head start on my taxes and working ahead on freelance projects, I’ve been spending most of my free time researching what to do / eat / see on our west coast trip next month.

I’m headed out to the west for a weekend blog retreat but it seemed silly to fly so far just for two days so Wyatt is going to meet me out there for a week of adventuring afterwards. We’ll be traveling down the coast, starting in SF, making our way through Big Sur, and then eventually ending up in LA. Knowing I want to see the ocean, cliffs, and Redwoods is the easy part – trying to figure out how to cram everything into 48 hours in LA / SF has been the trickier part…

I’m what you would call a bit of an over-planner (and really love it) so I have an Evernote going of our trip that is broken up into 4 hours segments (yup – I’m crazy, I know). Is it too crazy to plan 3 breakfasts in one day? Because the brunch scene in SF seems pretty insane according to Pinterest. Also, got any suggestions for us? Where are the best vegetarian places to eat in SF and LA? Please let me know because I don’t want to miss ANYTHING!

Creamy Healthy Vegetarian White Chili Recipe (with vegan option) (2)
Creamy Healthy Vegetarian White Chili Recipe (with vegan option) (3)
Creamy Healthy Vegetarian White Chili Recipe (with vegan option) (4)

Okay, now back to why you came here – this Creamy Vegetarian White Chili! One of my 2017 goals is to share more vegetarian main recipes with you all and this chili fits the bill. I make this vegetarian chili recipe often in the winter and was honestly starting to fill a bit burnt out on it. Then, the other week, I came across this chicken white chili recipe and just knew I had to develop a veg version. Honestly, I didn’t even know ‘white chili’ was a thing until I saw this recipe! All the amazing flavor and spices of chili + creaminess? Sign me up! And you know what? It didn’t disappoint. Loaded with tons of nutrient-rich veggies, protein-packed beans, and flavorful spices, I can already tell this is going to become a regular in our house.

Love the sound of this but want to make it vegan? Swap in your favorite non-flavored dairy-free milk for the whole milk in the recipe. Also, feel free to add as many or as little toppings as you’d like. I personally prefer lots of texture and variety in my bowl but it would also be delicious if you wanted to keep it simple with just a little cilantro and pepper. Lastly, if you have the time, don’t forget to make it with a side of cornbread or a veggie bread loaf!

Creamy Vegetarian White Chili recipe below:

Creamy Healthy Vegetarian White Chili Recipe (with vegan option) (5)

Creamy Vegetarian White Chili

Creamy Vegetarian White Chili recipe that is cozy and filling (with vegan option). Ideal for healthy weeknight meals or chilly afternoons. /// Adapted from Gimme Some Oven and The Food Network

Course:Entree

Cuisine:Vegetarian

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 235 kcal

Author: Shelly Westerhausen

Ingredients

  • 1Tbspolive oil
  • 1white onion, diced
  • 1green bell pepper, diced small
  • 1jalapeno, diced
  • 3garlic cloves, minced
  • 1Tbspcumin
  • 1/4cupall-purpose flour
  • 4cupslow-sodium vegetable broth
  • 3 15-ouncecans Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 4-ouncecan chopped green chilies
  • 3/4cupfrozen corn
  • 2cupswarmed whole milk(use non-dairy if wanting to make the recipe vegan)
  • Salt / Pepper, to taste
  • Lime juice, to taste
  • garnish options: cilantro, avocado, tortilla chips, pickled jalapenos, radish slices, hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil over medium in a large stock pot.

  2. Add onion, pepper, and jalapeno and saute for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and onions translucent.

  3. Add garlic and cumin and saute for another 30 seconds.

  4. Next, add flour and toss until the vegetables are coated. Slowly add in vegetable stock, while stirring, and then add in beans, green chilies, and corn.

  5. Turn heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn heat down to medium-low and let simmer for 15 minutes.

  6. Stir in warm milk and let simmer for another 2 minutes.

  7. Remove from heat and season with salt, pepper, and lime juice. Divide between serving bowls and garnish before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Creamy Vegetarian White Chili

Amount Per Serving

Calories 235Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 8mg3%

Sodium 667mg29%

Potassium 585mg17%

Carbohydrates 36g12%

Fiber 7g29%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 11g22%

Vitamin A 575IU12%

Vitamin C 23.1mg28%

Calcium 168mg17%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Creamy Healthy Vegetarian White Chili Recipe (with vegan option) (7)

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Creamy Healthy Vegetarian White Chili Recipe (with vegan option) (2024)

FAQs

Is Trader Joe's vegetarian chili vegan? ›

I think this may be the third iteration of Trader Joe's vegetarian (really vegan) chili. — at one point, they swapped out the soy for sunflower protein, and now peas are having their day in the sun. So, if you have allergies or sensitivities to peas, proceed with caution.

What is a good protein substitute for chili? ›

Quinoa has a grainy texture that makes it a nice ground meat alternative, and its health benefits have earned it superfood status. Cook according to package instructions before adding quinoa to your chili pot. Tempeh is a tofu-like plant protein full of probiotics and fiber.

What is the difference between chili and white chili? ›

Regular chili has a rich base of red chilies (or chili powder) and sometimes tomato, while white chili calls for green chilies. We use canned Hatch green chilies, white beans, and tender shredded chicken to make our white chili recipe. It tastes quite different from red chili but is just as delicious!

How to thicken white chicken chili without cornstarch? ›

Cornmeal: Add a tablespoon of cornmeal or masa harina while stirring continuously. Mashed Beans: Mash a portion of the beans and stir them into the chili to thicken it. Crushed Tortilla Chips: Crushed tortilla chips can also be added as a thickening agent.

What is vegan chili made of? ›

This Vegan Chili is a moderately-spiced, tomato-y stew loaded with chunks of celery, onion, green bell pepper, and carrot. Spices like ancho chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic, and cayenne pepper add some body to the chili, while kidney beans and pinto beans give a hearty and creamy texture.

What is a vegan substitute for ground beef? ›

Best Ingredient to Replace Meat

When I'm creating a vegan version of something high in fat, calories, and protein, I usually gravitate toward ingredients like beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, TVP, and seitan. These are more filling than vegetables, which are sometimes too low in calories, if you know what I mean.

How do you thicken chili without meat? ›

Add cornstarch or all-purpose flour: Cornstarch and all-purpose flour are common thickening agents that you might already have on hand in your pantry. Adding flour directly into the chili will create lumps. Instead, make a slurry by mixing one tablespoon of cold water with one tablespoon of cornstarch.

Is chili healthier with or without beans? ›

Bring On the Beans

But for health purposes, you don't want to skip them—whether you're using them in place of or in addition to meat. Adding just 1 cup of beans to your recipe adds about 15 grams of protein, up to 15 grams of fiber, plus potassium, folate, and other nutrients.

What is a good substitute for chickpeas in chili? ›

Most ingredients can be substituted for ones that you already have in your pantry or refrigerator. For example, if you do not have chickpeas use cannellini or great northern beans instead. Same goes with black beans, use black eyed peas or kidney beans.

What are the highest protein beans for chili? ›

Kidney Beans

Kidney beans also have 15 grams of protein in a one-cup serving and offer lots of versatile options for cooking. Most cooks pick kidney beans as their base legume for chili. The kidney bean gives chili its richness and helps hold onto the spicy flavors from onions, peppers and chili spices.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What is a thickening agent for white chili? ›

Cornmeal is one of our go-to thickening agents for chili. Unlike all-purpose flour, this Southern pantry staple adds a subtle earthy flavor to the chili in addition to thickening it up. You can use white or yellow cornmeal that is fine to medium-grain.

Which chili is the healthiest? ›

  • Best: Amy's Organic Medium Chili.
  • Best: Eden Black Bean and Quinoa Chili.
  • Best: Plantstrong Engine 2 Firehouse Chili.
  • Best: Pacific Foods Plant-Based Fire Roasted Vegetable Chili.
  • Best: The Good Bean Low-Carb Classic Chili.
  • Worst: HORMEL Chili No Beans.
  • Worst: Wolf Angus Chili- No Beans.
  • Worst: Skyline Original Chili.
Feb 6, 2024

What is a good substitute for cornmeal in chili? ›

The good news is there are lots of easy ways to thicken up your chili with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry— flour, cornmeal, pureed beans, cornstarch, or even crushed tortilla chips will help do the job, along with some good old extra simmering time. Read on for some tips on how to thicken chili.

What is a substitute for masa harina in chili? ›

If the masa harina is used as a thickener (such as in chili), regular flour or cornmeal will give you the right texture, though the flavor won't be quite the same.

Why is my white chicken chili not thick? ›

The easiest option for thickening chili is to let the problem solve itself over a slow simmer. Set the heat to low, take off the lid (if you're using one), and allow your chili to gently bubble for an extra 15 minutes or until the liquid from the chili evaporates enough to reach the consistency you prefer.

What can I substitute for meat in chili? ›

Let's Talk Vegetarian Chili “Meat”

This vegetarian chili features a hearty mixture of walnuts, mushrooms, and carrots that can beautifully stand in place of your ground beef and absorbs the big flavors of sautéed onion and garlic, diced green chiles, and all those spices.

How do you add richness to chili? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

Is Hormel vegetarian chili vegan? ›

They are great for an affordable vegan convenience food.

I use a can or 2 as a base for homemade chili, chili "cheez" fries and veggie chili cheeze dogs.

What other meats can you put in chilli? ›

The best chili meat is a combination of meats, often a mix of ground chuck, ground sirloin, brisket, diced tri-tip, and/or some bacon or sausage. Do your best to mix smaller pieces with larger pieces to stack textures and make it your own! Happy cooking!

What can I use instead of beef stock cube in chili? ›

Like beef broth, chicken broth is a kitchen staple and makes a good substitute if you are all out of the meaty broth. This savory, salty liquid has a milder flavor than beef broth but is a good one-to-one replacement. Chicken broth also has a similar nutrition profile to beef broth, low in calories and high in sodium.

Does chili have to have meat? ›

Vegetarian chili

It is also popular with those on a diet restricting the use of red meat. To make the chili vegetarian, the cook leaves out the meat or replaces it with a meat analogue, such as textured vegetable protein or tofu, quinoa, or a starchy vegetable, such as potatoes.

References

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