Kid Friendly, Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipe (2024)

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By Jen

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It is true. The thought of eating meatless meals can be a little bit scary. For some folks, meat is the very heart of every meal. But, let me assure you it is possible to make amazing vegetarian recipes that even the picky eaters in your house will love.

As the world buzzes with facts about the environmental and health benefits of cutting out meat (if only for one day of the week) it can feel overwhelming. As for kids – change is even scarier for kids. A meatless chili recipe!? My eldest daughter literally said, “the meat is my favourite part of chili!” Who knew?

New year, new goals and new recipes. Time to step outside of your comfort zone and take a chance on this delicious kid friendly vegetarian chili. No one will miss the meat.

Kid Friendly VegetarianChili

2 tbsp olive oil
2 shallots, roughly chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp cocoa powder
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp chili powder
1 tablespoon peanut butter (if you have a nut allergy you can skip this ingredient or substitute with a seed butter)
3 red peppers, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
2 sweet potatoes (total 10 ounces), chopped into 1/2 inch pieces (smaller if you have picky potato eaters, * see the note below)
handful of little yellow potatoes, halved
2 x 19 fl oz cans mixed beans (chick peas, black beans, butter beans)
1 x 28 fl oz can whole plum tomatoes
1 x 28 fl oz can diced plum tomatoes
handful of cilantro stalks
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup sour cream

In a cast iron dutch oven…if you don’t have a dutch oven, a large flat bottomed pot will suffice…heat oil over medium-high heat. Toss in the shallots, cumin, cocoa, paprika and peanut butter. Cook the onions and spices until the onions soften and the peanut butter melts. You will have a dark, onion paste.

Addin the peppers, sweet potatoes and yellow potatoes. Toss the peppers and potatoes in the paste until they are coated.

Add beans (with their liquid), tomatoes (with their liquid), cilantro stalks and salt. Stir until all the ingredients are combined. Bring the chilli to a boil and then drop to a simmer. Simmer for 1-2 hours…until the potatoes are soft.

Serve the chilli with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream.

Now, what does “kid friendly” mean? I have two kids – one kid devoured the chilli and even took a thermos full for lunch the next day. The other kid picked her way around the sweet potatoes. I’ll take that. She loved the flavours…not the chunky potatoes. Lesson learned, next time I’ll chop the potatoes smaller. If you have a picky potato eater…chop those sweet potatoes smaller. Kid approved!

Kid Friendly, Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipe (5)

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Kid Friendly VegetarianChili

Who said that kids won't eat vegetables? Make a big batch of this vegetable packed chili and your kids will clean their bowls.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 50 minutes mins

Course: dinner, lunch

Cuisine: American, canadian

Keyword: chili, vegetarian chili

Servings: 8 people

Calories: 469kcal

Author: Jen

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 shallots roughly chopped
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter if you have a nut allergy you can skip this ingredient or substitute with a seed butter
  • 3 red peppers chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 2 sweet potatoes total 10 ounces, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces (smaller if you have picky potato eaters, * see the note below)
  • handful of little yellow potatoes halved
  • 2 x 19 fl oz cans mixed beans chick peas, black beans, butter beans
  • 1 x 28 fl oz can whole plum tomatoes
  • 1 x 28 fl oz can diced plum tomatoes
  • handful of cilantro stalks
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup sour cream

Instructions

  • In a cast iron dutch oven…if you don’t have a dutch oven, a large flat bottomed pot will suffice…heat oil over medium-high heat. Toss in the shallots, cumin, cocoa, paprika and peanut butter. Cook the onions and spices until the onions soften and the peanut butter melts. You will have a dark, onion paste.

  • Add in the peppers, sweet potatoes and yellow potatoes. Toss the peppers and potatoes in the paste until they are coated.

  • Add beans (with their liquid), tomatoes (with their liquid), cilantro stalks and salt. Stir until all the ingredients are combined. Bring the chilli to a boil and then drop to a simmer. Simmer for 1-2 hours…until the potatoes are soft.

Notes

Serve the chilli with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream.

Nutrition Info is to be used as a rough guide only. Nutrition info is based on the products I am using and you may not be using the same products/brands. Thus, the nutrition info may vary.

Nutrition

Calories: 469kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 6.5g | Saturated Fat: 1.2g | Sodium: 115mg | Potassium: 2072mg | Fiber: 18.9g | Sugar: 4.2g | Calcium: 1550mg | Iron: 1.3mg

Calories: 469kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 6.5g | Saturated Fat: 1.2g | Sodium: 115mg | Potassium: 2072mg | Fiber: 18.9g | Sugar: 4.2g | Calcium: 1550mg | Iron: 1.3mg

This recipe is another twist on a Chef Jamie Oliver recipe – Smoky Veggie Chilli. I skipped using a grill…too cold to go outside and I didn’t have the time to use a stovetop grill. I also skipped serving the chilli with a baked potato. Instead, I added the little potatoes into the chilli itself. A few tweaks and this chilli has now been added to our regular rotation. You really cannot beat a big bowl of hot chilli on a cold, winter day.

Related Posts

Check out this collection of 15 Kid Friendly Meatless Recipes

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About Jen

Jen Farr is a mother living in Toronto, Canada. She has been sharing her DIY crafts, recipes, activities and parenting advice for over 15 years on her blog Kitchen Counter Chronicle. Jen is the mom of 2 lovely daughters. She believes in the power of taking small steps that can make big impacts on the world.

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Comments

  1. Mardi (eat. live. travel. write.) says

    Jen this looks delicious (and hey, the meat is my favourite part of the chili too!). I can’t wait to try this recipe over the weekend!

Kid Friendly, Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making good chili? ›

Rumi Spice's top tips for making chili:
  1. Brown the Meat.
  2. Don't Forget Vegetables.
  3. Elevate with Extra Flavor.
  4. Only Add Flavorful Liquids.
  5. Opt for Dried Beans.
  6. Season Early and Often.
  7. Add Some Acidity at the End.
  8. Top It Off.

How to make chili taste homemade? ›

Make your own spice blend

Although canned chili will already have some seasonings, fresh herbs and spices will add bolder flavor. You can upgrade your chili using ingredients you likely already have on your spice rack, such as chili powder, ground cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.

Is vegetarian chili good for you? ›

Health benefits

As a Dietitian, I love a one bowl meal that has complex carbs, protein, plenty of veggies, and healthy fat all in one. This chili is packed with plant protein and filling fiber from beans and veggies, making it crazy hearty. Regular consumption of beans can help lower cardiovascular risk.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What brings out the flavor in chili? ›

Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Spices: Freshly ground cumin is a must. If it's not fresh, then don't bother. Secret Ingredients & Technique: I like extra hot chili, so I round up all spicy ingredients. I cool it down by piling on lots of fresh fixins' including scallions, cilantro, and sour cream.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

Why do you put vinegar in chili? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Traditionally, we expect a robust, spicy base, meat and/or beans, perhaps some bonus veggies, and a thick, rich consistency. Unlike soups, which are brothy, or even bisques, which are creamy yet thinner, chili is meant to be more stew-like; it's a definite stick-to-your-ribs creation.

What liquid to add to chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

Why do you put cornmeal in chili? ›

Add cornmeal: Cornmeal absorbs excess liquid, so adding a tablespoon of it to your pot of chili will thicken the final result. Allow the chili to simmer for about ten minutes after you add the cornmeal.

What is vegetarian chili made of? ›

Ingredients in homemade vegetarian chili

All you need are a few cans of beans (I love kidney beans in my chili), veggies, spices and crushed tomatoes. To make this plant based chili you'll need: Veggies: we're adding onion, carrot, bell pepper, sweet potato and corn for the perfect mix of hearty veggies.

What are the best beans for chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

Is it OK to eat chilli everyday? ›

Therefore, you should eat spicy 2-3 times / week and eat with intermittent frequency. Eating too much spicy causes heat in the body Using a lot of chili with a regular frequency along with a high degree of spicy can cause mouth ulcers or boils, burning in the anus as well as other organs..

Does sugar make chili taste better? ›

Now for the piece de resistance: 1-2 heaping Tablespoons brown sugar. The chili tastes completely different without the brown sugar so if you like a subtle sweetness in your chili then you've just got to go for it! Trust me, it will not make your chili taste like candy.

Why add vinegar to chilli? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

Should you simmer chili with lid on or off? ›

For quicker-cooking chili like this recipe, don't cover the pot. We want the liquid in the chili to reduce, and leaving the lid off is crucial. If you're simmering the chili for a longer time, partially cover the pot to prevent the liquid from evaporating too quickly.

What does coffee do for chili? ›

This is why adding coffee—or even beer—to your chili will produce a result that works. Using coffee in the mix adds all the subtle flavor notes you love—like the subtle hints of chocolate and cherry from Death Wish Coffee. Beer, meanwhile, incorporates a light, malty sweetness.

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