Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili is a hearty answer to a meatless main dish. Spicy, tangy and satisfying with black beans, baked beans and more!
Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili with Tangy Baked Beans is a flavor-packed recipe. Full of plant protein, this dish will leave you satisfied and not missing the meat!
Vegetarian Chili in the Slow Cooker
The secret to a hearty, filling chili actually is NOT the meat; and this vegetarian chili proves it!
A satisfying chunky texture, ample protein (it’s filling) and loads of great flavor create an unforgettable comfort food recipe everyone loves.
Why Make THIS Vegetarian Chili?
In addition to the variety of vegetables and great texture, using vegetarian tangy baked beans gives a whole new flavor to this vegetarian chili!
A little bit of unsweetened coconut milk also adds some creaminess and flavor to make it special.
Ingredients in this Vegetarian Chili
Don’t let the length of this ingredient list fool you; this vegetarian chili can be put together in less than 10 minutes!
- Olive Oil
- Yellow Onion
- Garlic Cloves
- Red Sweet Pepper
- Yellow Sweet Pepper
- Celery Stalk
- Cumin
- Chili Powder
- Carrot
- can Vegetarian Baked Beans with liquid
- can Diced Tomatoes
- can Black Beans
- can Corn Kernels (frozen/thawed or fresh kernels may be substituted)
- Unsweetened Coconut Milk
- Kosher Salt to taste
Suggested Garnishes:
- lime zest
- chopped Italian parsley leaves (fresh)
- a dollop of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- grated cheddar cheese
Serve with this delicious Cornbread recipe!
Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili is EASY
A great thing about this vegetarian chili recipe is most of the ingredients are already prepared for you.
The baked beans, black beans, tomatoes and corn are all canned. The spices just need to be measured out.
Vegetarian Chili Prep Shortcut
The only ingredients requiring preparation are the fresh vegetables.
Want a timesaving tip? Use a mini chopper. I use it whenever I can to save time from hand chopping.
The container can be washed in the dishwasher when done (always wash the blade my hand to keep it sharp!)
How to Make this Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili – Step by Step:
This slow cooker has one extra step before adding everything and turning it on. It makes all the difference!
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté the onions and garlic until softened (4 minutes).
- Add the celery, peppers, cumin and chili powder; continue to sauté an additional 3 minutes.
- Spoon the sautéed mixture into a 6-7 quart slow cooker.
- Add the remaining ingredients and cook on high for 7 hours.
- Serve with suggested garnishes or store sealed until serving. NOTE: maybe be made 1-2 days before serving).
Why Sauté the Vegetables First?
Taking a few minutes to sauté the vegetables before adding them to the slow cooker develops more flavor and cuts the sharpness of the onions.
If you don’t have the time you can also add everything to the slow cooker and skip the sautéing.
Make Ahead Vegetarian Chili
As with most chili recipes, this vegetarian chili builds more flavor when made ahead of time.
Whether you choose to make it a day before serving, or enjoy leftovers a few days later, you’ll find it improves with time but is still great the day it is made.
More Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Love:
- Posole: a Shortcut Slow Cooker Mexican Stew Recipe
- Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Taco Meat (for a crowd)
- Pineapple Citrus Slow Cooker Carnitas & Carnitas Tacos
- Slow Cooker Caribbean Pot Roast
Recipe
Slow Cooker Tangy Baked Bean Chili {vegetarian}
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 large Yellow Onion , peeled and chopped
- 2 large Garlic Cloves , peeled and minced
- 1 medium Red Sweet Pepper , cored and chopped
- 1 medium Yellow Sweet Pepper , cored and chopped
- 1 medium Celery Stalk , scrubbed and chopped
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 ½ tablespoons Chili Powder
- 1 large Carrot , scrubbed or peeled with top and end removed, sliced in ¼ inch thick slices
- 1 28- ounce can Vegetarian Baked Beans with liquid
- 1 28- ounce can Diced Tomatoes , drained
- 1 15- ounce can Black Beans , rinsed and drained
- 1 15- ounce can Corn Kernels (frozen/thawed or fresh kernels may be substituted)
- ¾ cups Unsweetened Coconut Milk
- Kosher Salt to taste
Suggested Garnishes:
- lime zest
- chopped Italian parsley leaves (fresh)
- dollop of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil until it shimmers on top. Add the onion and garlic; sauté until softened, about 4 minutes.
- Add the peppers, celery, cumin and chili powder. Continue to cook, stirring frequently for an additional 3 minutes.
- Spoon the vegetable mixture into the bottom of a 6-7 quart slow cooker.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Place the lid on the cooker and cook on HIGH for 7 hours.
- Serve or store sealed in the refrigerator until using (can be made 1-2 days beforehand to allow the flavors to blend).
Nutrition
Originally published: September 3, 2015
Ashley Sears says
I agree with you about summer being over! This vegetarian chili looks delicious.
Pam says
I love a good chili! This one sounds perfect if the weather actually ever gets any cooler.
TidyMom says
WOW Toni!! The recipe and the photos have me drooling!! That chili has so much going on there’s no way you’d miss the meat!! I can’t wait to make this for Steve!
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says
oooh baked beans as chili? They are already so similar I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it before!
melisasource says
This looks and sounds so delicious! I’ll have to make this at home with my family!
Chris Scheuer says
I’m with you Toni, fall has arrived and I’m excited! Especially after seeing this delicious looking chili – I’m pumped for cool weather and autumn hues!
cheri says
My husband loves baked beans, looks like it’s time for me to bring out the slow cooker.
Ora Lee Gurr says
The temperatures are getting cooler overnight and the aggravating wind does not stop! I enjoy crockpot/slow cooker meals because they make the house smell so good and give me time to do other things. The vegetarian baked bean chili recipe you’ve provided will be a great hit on next week’s dinner list.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That looks amazing! I love that you cold make such a hearty meal without any meat whatsoever.
BellaVidaLetty says
I just love using my slow cooker. My family would love this dish.