These 17 Meatless Chili Recipes Prove You Don't Need Beef

Lucie's Vegetarian Chili
Photo: Holiday Baker

No one will be saying "Where's the beef?" when they take a bite of these flavorful meatless chilis. Plant-based ingredients like beans, mushrooms, lentils, quinoa, and more make for hearty chili servings that are stick-to-your-ribs good. Vegans can dress up their bowls with a dollop of guacamole or sprinkling of pickled onions, while vegetarians might enjoy a little shredded cheese with a spoonful of salsa.

01 of 18

Pub-Style Vegetarian Chili

Pub-Style Vegetarian Chili
sanzoe

Recipe creator sanzoe says, "A spicy but flavorful chili recipe. Trust me, you won't miss the meat! We love to pair this with one of our favorite microbrews."

02 of 18

Quinoa and Black Bean Chili

Quinoa and Black Bean Chili
Wunderwaffel

Quinoa is a protein packed seed — that cooks up like a grain — which works perfectly as a base for filling vegetarian chili. With three pepper varieties included, a bowl of this recipe is sure to knock your socks off.

03 of 18

Summer Vegetarian Chili

Summer Vegetarian Chili
Sarah-May

"This recipe was delicious and so easy to make," says Ranessa. "My husband loved it, and anything that can get my husband to eat more veggies is wonderful!"

04 of 18

Skyline Lentil Chili

Skyline Lentil Chili
Buckwheat Queen

Cincinnati chili, a heavily spiced meat sauce that's often served over spaghetti, gets the meatless treatment with this lentil version. Don't skip the cinnamon or chocolate in the sauce; these add a distinct depth of flavor.

05 of 18

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili
Brooke Laurel

Reviewer *Sherri* says, "What a difference roasting the sweet potatoes makes in the flavor of the chili. I have made sweet potato chili before but the flavor of the sweet potatoes can get lost in the simmering."

06 of 18

Unbelievably Easy and Delicious Vegetarian Chili

Unbelievably Easy and Delicious Vegetarian Chili
pomplemousse

This recipe name doesn't lie, with this ultra easy chili being ready in just 15 minutes. Taco seasoning and ranch seasoning are two shortcut ingredients that add big flavor without adding time.

07 of 18

Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili

Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili
Allrecipes Magazine

Black and kidney beans combine with chickpeas for this legume-laden meal. For extra flavor, you can use fire-roasted canned tomatoes instead of plain diced tomatoes.

08 of 18

Instant Pot® Vegetarian White "Chicken" Chili

Instant Pot Vegetarian White Chicken Chili
Soup Loving Nicole

Traditional white chicken chili is made meatless here thanks to the use of faux chicken. Pinto beans and cauliflower slightly break down in the Instant Pot, adding to the creamy texture.

09 of 18

Meat-Lovers' Vegetarian Chili

Meat-Lovers' Vegetarian Chili
J. Phillips

Recipe creator J. Phillips says, "This is a thick, hearty vegetarian chili that is a hit at parties even among die-hard meat eaters. The TVP gives it the texture of ground beef, and the chiles give it a nice depth of flavor."

10 of 18

Colorado Green Chili

Colorado Green Chili
Yoly

Hatch chiles are the star of this Colorado classic. Recipe creator YOUNGCM2, says "Goes great over breakfast burritos, cheeseburgers, fried eggs or anything."

11 of 18

Veggie Vegetarian Chili

Veggie Vegetarian Chili
LilPhotog

Get your daily serving of vegetables in this veggie-packed recipe. Mushrooms, bell peppers, carrots, corn, and tomatoes all combine for a boost of flavor and chunky texture.

12 of 18

Peanut Butter Chili

Peanut Butter Chili

Recipe creator EuroGirl6 says, "Who would have thought beans and peanut butter could go together in harmony? They do, in this satisfying vegetarian chili." Peanut butter adds a distinct flavor and extra creamy texture.

13 of 18

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili
Brooke Laurel

With this vegetarian chili, you'll find that "the extra step of roasting the sweet potatoes really concentrates the sweet, earthy flavors and gives the starchy chunks a marvelously meaty texture," says Chef John.

14 of 18

Vegan Chunky Chili

Vegan Chunky Chili
Lady at the Stove

"If you are entertaining mixed palates, this meal will satisfy all tastes," says recipe creator Krista B. "A from-scratch chili that uses many different vegetables as well as beans, lentils and tofu to provide that 'full' feeling that chili with meat offers."

15 of 18

Lucie's Vegetarian Chili

Lucie's Vegetarian Chili
Holiday Baker

Bring on the veggies with this variety-packed recipe. Classic choices like bell pepper and onions are used, along with more unusual contenders like carrots and celery. The end result is a refreshingly light dish.

16 of 18

Instant Pot® Protein-Packed Vegetarian Chili

Instant Pot® Protein-Packed Vegetarian Chili
thedailygourmet

This faux chili made in an Instant Pot® with vegetarian ground beef substitute. "It might even fool the most discerning of palates!" says thedailygourmet.

17 of 18

Vegan Taco Chili

Vegan Taco Chili
Lisa Mari Stockdale

With hearty ingredients like mushrooms and kidney beans, this vegan chili is ready to be spiced up with your best seasoning blends. Serve with your favorite taco toppings for a satisfying meal.

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