If you’re anything like me, every time you make chili, you just sort of wing it. Sometimes it comes out great and sometimes it’s just okay. I’m posting this recipe more for me than for anyone else, because this chili was perfect for me: full of veggies, just enough chili powder, and incredible leftovers.
I remember when I was young, my parents would make two pots of chili. One of the meat eaters and one for the not meat eaters. LONG ago when I ate the meaty chili, I was sad that it never had carrots. My mom’s meat free chili would have them, but my dad hates carrots, so the meaty chili was carrot free. Are carrots normal in chili? Definitely not. But if there was an option for extra veggies, I definitely wanted it! Now that I make chili for myself, you’ll see that I get all the veggies I want, including carrots that my dad hates and mushrooms that my mom hates. Ahh the perks of being an adult.
Make this chili, and make it your own. Swap out veggies you hate, add in veggies you love. Zucchini, kale, Brussels sprouts — these are all things I’ve put into chili and would definitely do again. Let me know if you have any more veggie additions you think rock. I’ll definitely try them!
15 oz can crinkle cut carrots (can use frozen; if using fresh, precook or simmer chili long enough to avoid crunchy carrots)
2 stalks celery
15 oz can tomato sauce
2½ c V8 (I used high fiber)
8 oz baby bella mushrooms
2 tbsp. low sodium soy sauce (GF: use GF soy sauce or liquid aminos)
3 tsp liquid smoke
1 tbsp. cumin powder
5+ tbsp. chili powder
pinch paprika
pinch turmeric
salt and pepper to taste
cayenne pepper or hot sauce, to taste
Instructions
Rough chop all of the fresh veggies into similar sized pieces.
Mix all ingredients together in a slow cooker or large pot. In a pot, heat to boiling then reduce to simmer. In a crock pot, set to low. I recommend cooking for as long as possible to fully develop flavors – I usually give it 4 hours but have eaten it as soon as it’s hot before.
Taste and adjust spices as it cooks. Stir occasionally.
Serve with avocado slices, sour cream, cheese, a sprinkling of nutritional yeast — whatever your favorite chili toppings are!
Notes
We got 8 large bowls out of this. Exact amount produced will vary based on how bulky your veggies are, but you can safely assume at least 8 cups.
Your veggie chili looks so hearty and delicious! I love avocado on mine too. I like winter squash or sweet potatoes – they’re really good with the spiciness. Thanks for the annie’s coupon!! Hope you had a good Christmas!
Chili is one of the most delicious and comforting foods EVER. I get super duper excited whenever I see a new recipe for it, especially a veggie version :). I really need to try topping mine with avocado next time, too, because I have a feeling it is awesome.
Love chili! I’m a fan off adding in faux meet crumbles too. When I saw on Instagram you got a slow cooker, I was totally thinking “make chili!” haha…I bought all the makings yesterday to make a batch this weekend 🙂
Your veggie chili looks so hearty and delicious! I love avocado on mine too. I like winter squash or sweet potatoes – they’re really good with the spiciness. Thanks for the annie’s coupon!! Hope you had a good Christmas!
Oh man! I have been trying to get more veggies in my diet and this chili is the perfect way to do so.
The flavors in here sound amazing. I’ll definitely be giving this a try this winter!
Chili is one of the most delicious and comforting foods EVER. I get super duper excited whenever I see a new recipe for it, especially a veggie version :). I really need to try topping mine with avocado next time, too, because I have a feeling it is awesome.
Hannah, it’s amazing topped with avocado. It adds a creaminess like topping with sour cream or cheese would but keeps it vegan.
Love chili! I’m a fan off adding in faux meet crumbles too. When I saw on Instagram you got a slow cooker, I was totally thinking “make chili!” haha…I bought all the makings yesterday to make a batch this weekend 🙂
I truly need a bowl of this to detox from all the Christmas goodies! Bring on the health food. 🙂