Easy Tempeh Chili (The BEST Vegan Chili Recipe!) (2024)
This vegan tempeh chili recipe is a delicious plant-based dinner that’s packed with flavor and ready in under 30 minutes! Withtempeh, veggies, beans, and a blend of spices, this is a simple chili that you would never believe is meatless.
Have you ever had one of those foods that was never in your “culinary vocabulary”, so to speak, and then one day you discover it and your whole world changes? Like I remember back when I only knew ginger in the context of gingerbread. Then one day I learned about the so-good, hands-down magical ability of ginger to transform stir fries, and proceeded to cook ginger intoevery thing I ate until a golden ginger aura formed around me.
Well that same thing just happened with tempeh. Like just happened, guys. On our practice round of the 21 Day Vegetarian Reset, the tulip-man got pretty sick of tofu. Granted, he went from 0 to 100 t.m.p.h (tofu miles per hour) faster than you can say “Day 1 of the 21 Day Reset”, but I must admit, the original plan had a lot of tofu. So I changed it up a bit. I set out on a great exploration in search of plant-based proteins, and I found the answer in tempeh!
Reader rating
★★★★★
“Quick and hearty meal! Can be adjusted to individual tastes easily. My first use of tempeh was a success:) thank you Sarah!” —Amy
Add your review
Like tofu, tempeh is made from soybeans. But these soybeans are whole (meaning tempeh is higher in protein, fiber, and nutrients) and fermented (giving it a really earthy, wholesome flavor). And if you grate it up and cook it up with beans, fresh veggies, and spices, you get a damn good, can’t-believe-it’s-vegan tempeh chili!
How do you make Vegan chili?
Here’s how you make this ridiculously easy plant-based chili recipe:
Cook tempeh in a pot until browned
Add onion, garlic, and veggies
Add spices, beans, and tomato
Cook until warm
Devour
Are you ready to meet the vegan chili that’s about to warm up your whole winter?
Variations on this Vegan chili
Tofu: You can use a package of crumbled tofu in place of the tempeh.
Tex-Mex: You can make this a Tex-Mex inspired chili by replacing the seasonings with a packet of taco seasoning (similar to what Taco Soup).
Add Veggies: You can spruce this vegan chili up by adding vegetables (we sometimes add chunks of butternut, pumpkin, or sweet potato!)
Meal Prep It: Cook up a bunch of broccoli and grains and portion this tempeh chili out for the week into tasty chili meal prep.
P.S. If you love this tempeh chili you’re going to want to try this Taco Soup, this Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili, or this White Bean Chili!
This vegan tempeh chili recipe is a delicious plant-based dinner that's packed with flavor and ready in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
2Tbspolive oil30 mL
18-oz packagetempeh226 g, roughly grated
1mediumwhite oniondiced
1red bell pepperdiced
1stalk celerydiced
2clovesgarlicminced
3/4cuptomato sauce177 mL
115-oz cankidney beans425 g, drained
115-oz canblack beans425 g, drained
1cupwater240 mL
1tspeach cumin and salt
1/4tspeach chili powder and crushed red pepper flakes
To serve: chopped green onions, plain Greek yogurt
Instructions
Brown Tempeh: Heat oil over medium/high heat in a large pot. Add tempeh and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. It’s okay if some of it sticks to the bottom of the pan. It will come off when you add the liquids.
Add Flavor Makers: Add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic, continuing to cook until veggies are a bit soft, about 5 minutes.
Cook Everything: Add the remaining ingredients, reduce heat to medium,and cook until warm and the flavors have blended, about 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Top with green onions and serve.
Can you make vegan chili in a slow cooker? Yes! To make this tempeh chili in a slow cooker, you’ll still need to brown the tempeh and saute the onion, celery, pepper, and garlic until soft. Then simply transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours (high for 3 to 4).
How long does vegan chili last? Store this chili in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.
Can you freeze vegan chili? This tempeh chili can be frozen! Freeze in portion-sized freezer-safe baggies or containers. When ready to eat, let thaw in the fridge overnight, then heat in the microwave or on the stove.
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.
How long is vegan chili good for? This vegan chili recipe will last for about 5 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container. You can also store the chili in the freezer for 2 to 3 months. To use, let the vegan chili defrost in the fridge overnight.
Sticky, sweet, sesame coated general tso's tempeh is vegan, WFPB friendly, oil-free optional and only takes 10 minutes to make. This high protein, plant-based dish is a great healthy asian alternative to your favorite take-out food.
Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.
Alternative meats: If you are looking to switch it up you can also use ground turkey or ground chicken. Garlic: If you do not have fresh cloves of garlic, you can substitute ¾ teaspoon garlic powder.
You can use polenta, arrowroot powder (a gluten-free vegetable root flour), or masa harina as a thickening agent if you don't have cornmeal. In Latin American cooking, chefs use masa harina—a type of cornflour—to make tamales and tortillas.
Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.
The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.
Yes, absolutely! Rice is a common grain in all cooking and has a significant place in the plant-based world too. Some rice dishes may not be suitable for vegans though, so if you're eating out or following a recipe make sure there are no meat, fish or other animal products being used before you tuck in!
Steaming the tempeh will remove some of the bitterness before cooking it further. This step isn't always necessary, especially if you're pairing the tempeh with a boldly-flavored sauce. You can steam tempeh using a steamer basket in a saucepan or a microwave-safe dish covered with water or vegetable broth.
It is less processed than tofu, and has a slightly higher protein content. They both do contain some of the same nutrients such as iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium. Tofu may have more selenium and zinc, but Tempeh may have more B vitamins. Both are healthy and contain some of the same nutrients.
Tempeh also has a very low Glycemic Index (GI). This means that it provides a slow, sustained release of energy without causing any spikes in blood sugar levels. Low GI foods are highly recommended for those with type 2 diabetes.
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!
With a similar texture, ground chicken or ground turkey can be superb substitutes for ground beef. The poultry is a bit paler than beef, which can change the appearance of some dishes, but they still taste equally delicious.
From a restaurant perspective, chili is typically assumed to be a meat dish: chili con carne. This a Spanish term that means “Chili peppers with meat.” Vegetarian chili has been around for a long time, but if a restaurant serves it, it's typically called “vegetarian chili” or “bean chili”.
Address: 55021 Usha Garden, North Larisa, DE 19209
Phone: +6812240846623
Job: Corporate Healthcare Strategist
Hobby: Singing, Listening to music, Rafting, LARPing, Gardening, Quilting, Rappelling
Introduction: My name is Foster Heidenreich CPA, I am a delightful, quaint, glorious, quaint, faithful, enchanting, fine person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
