Texas-Style Vegan Chili

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty, smoky chili with slow-cooked beans and seasonal vegetables, inspired by Tex-Mex flavors. This tex-mex-inspired vegan ready in about 60 minutes pairs kidney beans, black beans, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.0 (14 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Tex-Mex cuisine 250 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 3 cloves garlic and 1 red bell pepper, cooking for 3 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 cup tomato sauce, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, and 2 cups vegetable broth. Bring to a simmer.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 15 oz cooked kidney beans and 15 oz cooked black beans. Cook for 20 minutes until flavors meld.
  5. Step 5: Serve warm with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and a dollop of vegan sour cream.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Texas-Style Vegan Chili take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Texas-Style Vegan Chili?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep kidney beans from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Texas-Style Vegan Chili?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Texas-Style Vegan Chili for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Texas-Style Vegan Chili vegan?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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