Vegetarian Skillet Chilis is a simple and comforting one pot fall dinner recipe. Made with Pinto Beans and Black Beans this is so easy to make. All you are doing is tossing canned beans with tomatoes, onion, garlic, chili powder and a dash of cayenne pepper. And bam within minutes it's done. This takes just 15 minutes to get prepared and is a super easy and comforting One Pot Fall Dinner. 🍁 🥘
As the weather gets Chilly, there is nothing more hearty and comforting than a bowl of Homemade Chili. However, I know that Traditional Chili is a long and time taling recipe.
Well, not this one. This Skillet Chili recipe is super easy to make and takes just 15 minutes to make from scratch. 😌
I am a huge Chili aficionado! Infact, if you try my Award Winning Sweet Potato Chili, you'd know the story of how I learned to make Chili from my Nana and went on to actually win a competition...🏆 😄
Yes! I love making Chili and thoroughly enjoy it. I love the Traditional Chili with Ground beef. However, just to try a meatless version, I tried making Chili using just Beans and this one turned out to be soo good. I just had to try this with you guys. Its seriously sooo good. 😋😋
I love making southern soul food recipes. There is seriously nothing better than southern food recipes. Try my other favorite Southern recipes
- Southern Fried Okra in Air Fryer
- Southern Smothered Sour Cream Chicken
- Instant Pot Southern Peach Cobbler
- Broccoli Rice Casserole - Southern Comfort Food
- Vegan Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe
- Southern Buttermilk Ranch Mashed Potatoes
- Southern Creamed Corn
- Southern Sweet Potato Cobbler
- Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
- Southern Fried Corn
This Vegetarian Skillet Chili recipe is actually one of my go-to recipes for fall weekends. In fact, I also love to make it for a healthy Weeknight dinner. Yes, its seriously so easy and hassle free!
Jump to:
- Ingredients needed to make Skillet Chili
- Instructions
- Chili Toppings
- Cooking Variations
- Cast Iron Skillet Chili?
- How to Store Chili?
- Top tips to make the Best Vegetarian Skillet Chili
- How to use Leftover Chili?
- FAQs:
- What is the best secret ingredient for Chili?
- What to put in Chili to make it taste better?
- Should Chili be Thick or Soupy?
- How to make Homemade Chili taste better?
- Easy Vegetarian Skillet Chili
Ingredients needed to make Skillet Chili
- Onions & Garlic - The only veggies I am using in this Chili.
- Olive Oil - To cook the Onions and Garlic
- Bay Leaf - Helps in flavoring the Chili
- Chili Powder - Two heaping tablespoons of Mexican Chili powder for that authentic taste
- Cayenne Pepper - Just a dash of Cayenne Pepper for that added Heat
- Canned Tomatoes - To flavor the Chili
- Beans - I like to use canned Pinto Beans and Black Beans for this Chili
- Oregano - Just a hint of dried Oregano for that true blue mexican flavors
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
STEP 1: COOK THE ONION & GARLIC
- Heat Olive Oil in a skillet. As the oil shimmers, add the chopped onions and garlic. Saute until they get fragrant for 2-3 minutes over medium-high heat
STEP 2: ADD THE BEANS & TOMATOES
- Now, just pour the rinsed Beans and Tomatoes. Also, add some Chicken Broth and spices - Bay Leaf, Cayenne Pepper, Chili Powder, Salt & Pepper.
- Toss to combine everything
- Cook over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
STEP 3: ADD THE TOPPINGS & SERVE
- Add your desired Toppings and serve.
Remember to cook the Chili on medium-low heat so that it cooks slowly and at an even pace. Slow cooking ensures that the Chili flavors evenly.
Chili Toppings
This Chili is Vegetarian. So, I have added Sour Cream as a topping. However you can skip that for making a Vegan Chili. Here are few of your other options for Chili Toppings
- Crumbled Tortilla Chips
- Sliced Avocado
- Sour Cream
- Freshly Chopped Cilantro
- Chopped Jalapenos
- Pickled Onions
- Lime Wedges
Cooking Variations
- Skillet Chili topped with Cornbread - Just add the Cornbread batter over the Uncooked Chili and place this in the oven. This bakes right though and is such a perfect one pot meal.
- Veggies - Add healthy Veggies like Bell Pepper, Mushrooms, Carrots, Celery, and Zucchini in this Vegetarian Skillet Chili.
- Spices - Apart from Chili Powder, you can use some Ground Cumin for that burst of flavor
Try this Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili.
Cast Iron Skillet Chili?
We love cooking Chili in a Pan. I love to use my non stick Steel Pan to make Chili. Also, I sometimes love to use my Cast Iron Skillet.
Cast Iron Skillet is so easy to use and is a perfect equipment for making Chili. It cooks perfectly, in fact sometimes quicker than a non stick skillet, because iron heats up faster.
How to Store Chili?
You can easily store Chili for long. In fact if you can store this properly, you can store Chilis for as long as 6 months or even beyond that.
If properly frozen in an air-tight container, then you can store this in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for upto 3 months.
Once thawed, this can still be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Top tips to make the Best Vegetarian Skillet Chili
- Make sure that all the ingredients are prepped in advance. You want everything to be cooked for the same duration
- Incorporate Soy Sauce and Worcestershire Sauce for umami.
- Always cook the Chili on medium-low heat. Do not rush and cook at high heat.
- Do not overdo the spices. The hearty and comforting taste of Chili comes from the simple spices and here its only Chili powder.
How to use Leftover Chili?
I love Leftover Chili. Infact, trust me it tastes the best the second day...😍. You can use these with over Nachos, to stuff in your Burritos, Quesadillas, Crispy Potatoes, or even some Baked Sweet Potato Fries or Baked Carrot Fries.
OTHER VEGETARIAN DINNER RECIPES
- Instant Pot Vegetarian Baked Ziti
- Black Bean and Corn Tacos - Healthy Vegetarian Tacos
- Eggplant Lasagna - Vegetarian | Low Carb | Healthy Dinner Recipe
- Sweet Potato & Mushroom Stuffing
- Tex Mex Black Eyed Peas and Rice Casserole with Roasted Garlic (Vegetarian)
- Vegetarian Meatballs
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Sweet Corn Casserole {5-ingredient} with Jiffy Mix in the Crockpot
FAQs:
What is the best secret ingredient for Chili?
Generally Chili in itself is a comforting and hearty dish. However many people add spices to make this appeal their taste choics. I like to use a dash of Cayenne Pepper. The bit of heat makes my Vegetarian Chili Taste amazing and authentic.
What to put in Chili to make it taste better?
There are a million things which you can put in the chili to make it taste better. A few things that crosses my mind are
- Honey
- Brown Sugar
- Taco Seasoning
- Bay Leaf
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Sherry or Cooking Wine
- Cornmeal
- Sugar
- Lime Juice
- Carbonated Soda like Cola
Should Chili be Thick or Soupy?
Your ideal Chili should be thick and hearty. However most Chilis do tend to be soupy and thats only because its not been cooked perfectly.
How to make Homemade Chili taste better?
If you think that your homemade Chili isn't as good. Then just try adding some of these ingredients in your chili and no one has to know how you learned them. You'll be a pro at making the best Chili...😄
- Homemade Chili Powder
- Ground Cumin - Just a tad bit is enough for that burst of flavor
- Taco Seasoning - This is a secret ingredient. You'll love this
- Chipotle Chili Powder - Use Chipotle Chili Powder or chopped Chipotle Chili in adobo sauce. This will make the Chili spicy and you will love this. Trust me! 😋
- Always make sure that all the veggies you're using are cut in even sized. This makes sure that they cook evenly and hence better flavors
- Use ingredients like Mushrooms or Tomatoes to incorporate meaty flavor in a Vegetarian Chili.
Easy Vegetarian Skillet Chili
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 Large Yellow Onion finely chopped
- 1 Medium sized Red onion thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice for picked onions
- ½ teaspoon Salt for picked onions
- 4 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 can Pinto Beans drained and rinsed
- 1 can Black Beans drained and rinsed
- 1 large can Diced Tomatoes (with juices) 28oz
- 1 cup Vegetable Broth or Water low sodium
- 1 teaspoon Salt & Pepper
- 1½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 2½ tablespoon Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 Bay Leaf
- Freshly chopped Cilantro, Avocado Slices, Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Sour Cream and chopped Jalapenos for topping
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine strips of red onions with lemon juice and salt and allow it to sit until you cook the chili. You can use this as a topping for your Chili. (If you want, you can replace Lemon Juice with White Vinegar)
- Heat oil in a skillet or dutch pot. As the oil shimmers, add the chopped onions and cook for 3 minutes or until they turn brown-ish. Add the minced garlic and cook for 2 minutes. (If you're adding other veggies like Carrots, Celery or Bell Peppers, add them now and cook until the veggies tenderise for 3-5 min)
- Now, add the drained and rinsed Beans and the Canned Tomatoes. Also pour in the Chicken Broth. Toss to combine everything. Add the Bay Leaf and spices - Chili Powder, Cayenne Pepper, Dried Oregano, Salt and Pepper. Toss to combine everything and cook over medium-low heat for 10 min. Stir occasionally, to avoid anything getting stuck to the bottom of the skillet.
- Add toppings of your choice and serve this Chili.
Ask Me Anything