Vegetarian White Bean Chili

This Vegetarian Chili with white beans is a must-try, comforting and tasty recipe. It is hearty, flavorful, easy to prepare, and a crowd pleaser. 

About the Recipe

This is the perfect meal for sharing with loved ones or for cozying up on a chilly day. The combination of spices, beans, and toppings like avocado and cheese make it not only delicious, but filling too!

This chili has an amazing flavor that your whole family will love. It's vegetarian and could also easily be made vegan with vegan cheese or dairy free sour cream.

If you are looking for more soup recipes, check out our: Carrot and Lentil Soup, Great Northern Bean Soup or Classic Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe.

Jump to:

• About the Recipe
• Why You Will Love This Recipe
• Ingredients
• Directions
• Expert Tips and Tricks
• Kitchen Equipment
• Recipe Substitutions/Variations
• What To Serve With
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Recipe Storage and Reheating
• Other Recipes to Try
• Vegetarian White Bean Chili

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Flavorful - This chili is bursting with flavors from the spices that bring warmth and depth to each bite. A blend of cumin, chili powder and cayenne pepper is what really makes this chili taste so amazing.

Versatile - The great thing about chili is you can customize it with your favorite toppings like avocado, cheese, and sour cream. This allows everyone to tailor their chili to their taste preferences, making this perfect to serve a crowd.

Simple - This is a hassle-free recipe that is perfect for when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you will need for this vegetarian white bean chili recipe: 

• Olive oil: Use a good quality olive oil for the best flavor.
• Onion: I used a white onion, but you can use yellow onion as well
• Garlic
• Jalapeno peppers
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt & black pepper
• Green chiles: I use canned green chiles, but if you can't find them, you could use any chili peppers or even use a good quality salsa verde.
• Beans: You will use two 15-ounce cans of cannellini beans.
• Vegetable broth
• Corn: One cup of either fresh or frozen corn.
• Sour cream
• Avocado
• Cheddar cheese
• Tortilla chips

Directions

Let's make this great recipe together! 

Step 1: In a large soup pot or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 8-10 minutes or until the onion is translucent.

Step 2: Add the garlic and jalapeno and sauté for 2 minutes, or until fragrant.

Step 3: Add the cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, green chilies, and beans. Stir to mix well. 

Step 4: Add the vegetable broth, stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes. 

Step 5: Add the corn and stir well. 

Step 6: Serve with sour cream, avocado, cheddar cheese, and tortilla chips. Enjoy!

Expert Tips and Tricks

Here are some expert tips to make this comfort food: 

Leftovers - This chili reheats wonderfully and is great for meal prep. Make it on the weekend and enjoy it all week! 

Customize the heat - Adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or fewer jalapeño peppers and cayenne pepper to suit your taste.

Complete the meal - Consider serving this with warm cornbread and/or a side salad to make a well-rounded meal.

Adjust the consistency - If you like a thicker chili, you can mash some of the beans to create a creamier texture, or add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it. If you want a smoother soup, you can use an immersion blender to blend together.

Kitchen Equipment

Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this chili. You can find all of these products on Amazon.

Soup pot - A good quality large pot is a must for soup season! This one is of great quality.

Soup bowls - These are some of my favorite soup bowls of all time. They are the perfect size and keep the soup nice and warm.

Recipe Substitutions/Variations

Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this recipe.

Spices - Experiment with additional spices like smoked paprika, oregano, or coriander.

Beans - While the recipe calls for cannellini beans specifically, you can experiment with other beans like pinto beans, great northern beans, navy beans, or black beans for unique flavor and texture variations.

Sour cream - If you wanted, you could substitute the sour cream with Greek yogurt for a similar flavor and texture.

Additions - Try adding red or green bell peppers, zucchini, or diced tomatoes for more color and variety.

What To Serve With

Here are some recipes to serve alongside this vegetarian chili recipe:

Easy Garlic Bread - Everyone loves garlic bread, right? It's the perfect, most delicious vessel for sopping up extra sauce. I would love some garlic bread dipped in classic bolognese or in a simple tomato and garlic sauce.

Greek Cucumber Salad - Packed with crisp mini cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, briny kalamata olives, and tangy feta cheese, this delightful salad is one you will want to make right away! There is a generous amount of fresh dill and lemon juice, bringing refreshing flavors to every bite.

Zucchini Fritti - You are going to love this Zucchini Fritti recipe! It combines the simplicity of zucchini with the crunch of breadcrumbs and savory parmesan cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recipe Storage and Reheating

Here are storage and reheating instructions for this delicious recipe:

Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container and eat leftovers within 4-5 days.

Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed below.

Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat this recipe is to heat in a saucepan over low heat until warm.

Other Recipes to Try