• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Sourdough
      • Gluten-Free Sourdough
      • Sourdough Discard
    • Seasonal Recipes
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Bread Recipes
      • Sweet Breads
      • Savory Breads
    • Condiment Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
      • Cocktails
      • Non Alcoholic
Vanilla And Bean

Vanilla And Bean

Sweet and Savory Vegetarian

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • About
    • Subscribe
    • A little bit about me…
    • Contact
    • Let’s Work Together
    • Blogs I’m Reading
    • Blogger Resources
You are here: Home / Recipes / Main Dish / Soups/Stews/Chili / Hearty Crock Pot Vegetarian Chili

Hearty Crock Pot Vegetarian Chili

By Traci · Jump to Recipe ·
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my affiliate policy.

Set it and forget it, easy and hearty crock pot vegetarian chili recipe is nourishing and flavor packed! This vegan and vegetarian slow cooker chili recipe is make ahead ready and freezer friendly. This recipe is vegetarian, vegan and gluten free.

Healthy Crock Pot Chili in a bowl with two hands holding it.

Pure comfort food during the chilliest seasons of the year, what could be more satisfying than vegetarian chili in the crock pot? It’s super simple to pull together, is make ahead ready and will wow even your meat eating friends and family! 

Table of Contents

  • Texas Roots
  • Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili Recipe Ingredients 
  • Quick Guide: How to Make Crock Pot Vegetarian Chili
  • Vegetarian Chili FAQs
  • A Few Recipe Notes
  • More Vegetarian and Vegan Chili Recipes to Love
  • Hearty Crock Pot Vegetarian Chili

Texas Roots

This was one of the many recipes I started working on after giving up meat long ago. Growing up in Texas, chili was a staple in every kitchen. In restaurants, it’s common on menus, served piled high with toppings or on burgers, fries, nachos, hot dogs and Texan’s beloved Frito pie (have you tried it?).

A plant based chili was unheard of back in the day. But it didn’t take long to realize a hearty vegan chili is suitable for even the most meat loving chili connoisseurs. This hearty vegan slow cooker chili has a rich spice base akin to its meat based siblings and a rich, full bodied texture.

Related: Love cozy chili? Give my Vegetarian Pumpkin Chili a go!

Dry Beans in a bowl with a spoon.    Cutting onions on a cutting board preparing to make chili. Chopping bell pepper on a cutting board preparing to make vegan chili.    Spices for hearty crock pot vegetarian chili.

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili Recipe Ingredients 

Heavy on the spices, the heat can be taken up or down. Here’s what you’ll need to make this healthy crockpot vegetarian chili recipe (see recipe card below for full details):

  • Dry beans such as Black Beans, Pinto Beans or optionally Kidney Beans – **updated: see FDAs advisory on not cooking dry kidney beans in the slow cooker in recipe notes**
  • Red Onion
  • Bell Pepper – green or use poblano pepper
  • Fresh Garlic
  • Spices: Cumin, Oregano, Chili Powder, Ground Pepper, Salt, Bay Leaf
  • Jalapeños
  • Chipotle Chili (optional)
  • Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
  • Tomato Paste
  • Lime
  • Masa Harina

A variety of chilis enriches this vegan slow cooker chili’s flavor profile. Masa harina thickens the chili, lends body and offers a mild corn flavor. If masa harina is new territory, I encourage you to give it a go! I’ve linked to other recipes I use it in on the recipe card.

Vegan chili ingredients in a crock pot ready to cook.    Pouring water in a a crock pot filled with vegetarian chili ingredients.

Quick Guide: How to Make Crock Pot Vegetarian Chili

For this vegan bean chili, you can use soaked or unsoaked (updated: except kidney beans**) dry beans. I found the window of cooking time to be close either way. Slow cooked chili maximizes flavor because the spices and seasonings are concentrated. In summary, here’s how to make this easy crock pot vegetarian chili recipe (see recipe card below for full details):

  • First, to soak or not to soak the beans. Soaking is optional (except for kidney beans – according to FDA, kidney beans must be soaked and boiled**). Sometimes I soak, sometimes I forget. Their’s not much difference in cook time.
  • Second, to the crock pot, add chopped onion, bell pepper and dry beans (soaked or unsoaked).
  • Third, add the garlic, spices, peppers, tomatoes, tomato paste and water. Stir.
  • Next, lid the crock and set the cooker to high.
  • Last, about 15 minutes before serving, make a slurry with the masa harina and pour it into the crock. Lid again and warm through.

Share this hearty vegetarian slow cooker chili piping hot with cornbread and all your favorite condiments. 

Masa Flour in a jar.    Vegetarian chili in a crock pot being scooped out with a ladle.

Vegetarian Chili FAQs

Is Chili Better the Next Day?

When cooking chili in the slow cooker, I can’t tell that much of a difference the next day. However, when cooked quicker on stove top, an overnight rest in the fridge gives chili a noticeable flavor advantage.

How far Ahead Can I Make Slow Cooker Chili?

Chili’s flavor improves with a bit of time, so chili is perfect for meal prep. If refrigerating, the chili can be made up to days in advance. If needed after three days, freeze it.

Can I Freeze Vegetarian Chili?

This crock pot recipe freezes with ease. Simply cool the chili then store it in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge overnight and gently reheat on stove top.

How Long Can you Freeze Vegetarian Slow Cooker Chili?

I’ve frozen chili for up to two months with good results, although you can probably freeze it for longer.

How Do I Thicken My Chili?

In this healthy crockpot chili recipe, I use masa harina to flavor, give body and thicken the base. Masa harina is a signature flavor in American Southwest cooking. You’ll find it on the International food isle in well stocked grocery stores or online. It’s made with ground corn soaked in a lime solution then dried. You’ll find this ingredient in tortilla chips, corn tortillas, and tamales as well as many Southwest inspired recipes.

What’s a Substitute for Masa Harina?

I have used ground tortilla chips in place of masa harina in a pinch. The flavor isn’t as apparent, but it works. Grind the chips fine in a food processor – grind as fine as possible – and use the the crumbs where you would masa harina in this recipe. A little more due to crumb size. 

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili in a bowl garnished with avocado, peppers and a side of cornbread.

A Few Recipe Notes

  • Although this recipe is vegan and vegetarian, it can be shared with a variety of condiments like avocado, cilantro, jalapeños, scallions, chopped onion, sour cream or shredded cheddar. Keep it dairy free by omitting cheese and sour cream. 
  • My favorite side to share with this slow cooker vegetarian chili recipe is cornbread and sliced avocado. Corn tortillas make a nice addition sans cornbread if time is short. Try my Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread or Gluten Free Cornbread recipe. 
  • Time to cook this crock pot vegetarian chili varies depending on bean age, the older the bean the longer the cook. It’s possible that a bean can be so old and dry it won’t cook through, although I’ve not experienced this. I do not recommend eating under-cooked beans. Temperature variations range among slow cookers. Be sure to check the manufactures owners manual regarding cook time for beans. Use the cook time in this recipe as a guide.
  • I’ve made this crock pot vegetarian chili recipe with soaked and unsoaked beans. If using soaked beans, reduce the amount of water by about 1/2 C. Adjust as needed.
  • Freezer Friendly? Yes please! This recipe freezes with ease. Simply cool the chili then store it in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge overnight and gently reheat on stove top.

**UPDATE: I’ve been cooking dry beans (including kidney) in a slow cooker for 20+ years without any ill effects but after a reader alerted me to a raw and undercooked kidney bean toxin, I updated this recipe with notes. Feel free to use a mix of black and pinto beans and omit the kidney beans.  Just because I’ve not experienced adverse issues, doesn’t mean there’s not the potential for others to experience it.  See page 254 on FDA’s Bad Bug Book for more info.

More Vegetarian and Vegan Chili Recipes to Love

  • Vegetarian Tater Tot Hot Dish
  • Pumpkin Two Bean Chili
  • Vegan Chili by Foolproof Living
  • Vegetarian Chili by Green Valley Kitchen
Vegetarian Chili in a bowl garnished with avocado and peppers.
Print Recipe

Hearty Crock Pot Vegetarian Chili

Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:8 hours
Total Time:8 hours 10 minutes
Servings:6 Servings
Calories:254kcal
Author:Traci York | Vanilla And Bean
Set it and forget it, easy and hearty crock pot vegetarian chili recipe is nourishing and flavor packed! This vegan and vegetarian chili recipe is make ahead ready and freezer friendly. This recipe is vegetarian, vegan and easily gluten free.
Use soaked or unsoaked beans in this recipe – if using soaked, reduce the water by about 1/2 a cup. Be sure to check your crock pot manufactures owners manual regarding cook time for beans. **See FDA's Advisory Warning about cooking raw kidney beans in the slow cooker.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 C (320g) Dry Beans use your favorites: I use 1/2 C each: pinto, black and kidney beans** (see notes on soaking and FDA's cooking advisory on cooking dry kidney beans in the slow cooker).
  • 2 C (230g) Red or Yellow Onion about one large onion
  • 1 C (140g) Green Bell Pepper about one medium pepper
  • 2 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 2 Tbs Dried Oregano
  • 4 Tbs Chili Powder ***see note
  • 1 Tbs Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 Tbs Fine Sea Salt
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 3 Plump Cloves of Garlic smashed and minced
  • 2 Tbs Jalapeno Pepper fresh or pickled, chopped fine. Remove seeds and ribs for less heat
  • 1 Chipotle Chili Pepper (optional) from a can of chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce
  • 14 1/2 oz (411g) Diced Fire Roasted Tomatoes from one small can, undrained
  • 4 Tbs Tomato Paste
  • 4 C (980g) Water see note if using soaked beans
  • 3 Tbs Masa Harina mixed with + 1/4 C (56g) hot water or use finely crushed corn tortilla chips as a sub.
  • Lime

Instructions

  • Pick through the beans picking out any shriveled beans or small stones. Rinse the dry beans and place them in the cook-pot of a slow cooker. If using dry kidney beans, soak/boil them according to FDA's guidelines below in the notes (and make sure they're fully cooked) before adding them to the soup or use one can (drained) of already cooked kidney beans. Add them to the crock during the last hour of cooking.
    To the beans add the onion, bell pepper, cumin, oregano, chili powder, black pepper, salt, bayleaf, garlic, jalapeno, chipotle pepper (if using), tomatoes, tomato paste and water. Stir thoroughly and lid.
  • Cook Beans on High (soaked or unsoaked) for 6-8 hours.
    Be sure to check your crock pot manufactures owners manual regarding cook time for beans. Use this time as a guide.
  • The chili is done when the beans are tender and creamy inside, flavors are concentrated and the chili has thickened. About 15 minutes before serving, mix the masa harina with hot water until smooth and pour it into the chili. Stir. The chili will begin to thicken during the last minutes of cooking.
    Time to cook this crock pot vegetarian chili varies depending on bean age, the older the bean the longer the cook. It’s possible that a bean can be so old and dry it won’t cook through. I do not recommend eating under-cooked beans. Temperature variations range among slow cookers – check your manufactures owners manual. Use the cook times as a guide.
    To the chili, add a good squeeze of lime juice, about 1/2 a lime, and taste for salt adjustment. If a thinner chili is desired, simply thin with water.
  • Ladle into soup bowls and garnish with any toppings you like: avocado, jalapeño, cilantro, sour cream, scallions, diced onions, lime wedges, sour cream or shredded cheddar.
  • Store in the refrigerator in a lidded container for up to three days or freeze for up to two weeks. Thaw overnight in the fridge and gently rewarm on low heat on the stovetop.

Notes

*If using beans soaked overnight, reduce the water by 1/2 C then add more later if desired. According to FDA, kidney beans must be soaked for five hours. See **note below. 
**RAW KIDNEY BEANS: I’ve been cooking raw kidney beans for as long as I can remember in the slow cooker without any issues. But a reader recently alerted me to a raw kidney bean toxin that I felt it important to share here.  This from FDA:  Phytohaemagglutinin is a toxin found in raw and undercooked kidney beans. FDA advises kidney beans not be cooked in slow cookers and be soaked for five hours, strained then boiled for 30 minutes to destroy the toxin.  If you eat them raw or under‐cooked, they can cause you to have extreme nausea, severe vomiting, and diarrhea. Cooking the beans properly destroys the toxin. FDA Indicates not to cook kidney beans in a slow cooker. Slow cookers don’t get hot enough to destroy the toxin in kidney beans. For more info please see pg 254 of FDAs Bad Bug Book. 
***Different brands of chili powder spice can vary in its heat since chili powder is a blend of spices. I use Frontier Co-Op’s chili powder in this recipe (and all my recipes) and find it to be a perfect balance of spice. If you’re unsure about how much spice the brand of chili powder you use will add to the outcome of this recipe, feel free to reduce the amount to 2 tablespoons and adjust to taste as the chili nears its end of cooking time. 
More Recipes Featuring Masa Harina:
  • Mexican Inspired Tofu Tacos
  • Vegetarian Tater Tot Hot Dish
  • Slow Cooker Vegetarian Taco Soup
  • Roasted Corn Zucchini Fritters
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.
Calories: 254kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1491mg | Potassium: 1036mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2336IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 147mg | Iron: 6mg
Made It? Leave a comment below! The most helpful comment may include recipe rating, feedback, any modifications and/or helping other commenters. On Instagram? Take a snap of your make and share, tagging @VanillaAndBean #VanillaAndBean!
 

You might also like:

Overhead shot of Cauliflower-Potato Red Lentil Curry shared with rice and Naan.

Cauliflower-Potato Red Lentil Curry

French Lentil Soup with Coconut milk in a bowl with a side of naan.

Coconut Curried French Lentil Soup

Grits and greens with black eyed peas with grits in a bowl with a spoon.

Black Eyed Peas with Smoky Collards and Cheesy Grits

Vegetarian Pumpkin Chili in a bowl with a spoon in it ready to eat.

Pumpkin Chili

Shares1.8kPinShareYummly

Join the Vanilla And Bean community to receive free sweet and savory vegetarian recipes, and get my Five Secrets to Vegetarian Cooking email series delivered to your inbox!

You will receive recipes and kitchen tips, along with information about our partners and offerings. For more details, review the Vanilla And Bean privacy policy.
Previous Post: « Spicy Sofritas Recipe
Next Post: Gluten Free Cornbread »

Primary Sidebar

well hello!

I’m Traci and this is my blog. So Glad You Stopped By!

Here you’ll find full of flavor vegetarian comfort food with vegan and gluten free recipes too. I also share sourdough, sweets and naturally sweetened baked goods and desserts recipes because we all gotta have a little balance!

Learn More About Traci  or  The Blog.

Get on the List!

Join the Vanilla And Bean community to receive Sweet and Savory Vegetarian Recipes, and get my Five Secrets to Vegetarian Cooking email series delivered to your inbox!

Right this Way to Subscribe

Start Here!

Why vegetarian, what you’ll find on Vanilla And Bean and fan favorites all right here!

Right this Way to Start

Footer

Affiliate Info

Vanilla And Bean is monetized in part through the use of affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on a link and/or purchase an item after clicking on a link, Vanilla And Bean may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use through my affiliate links. To learn more please see my Affiliate Policy. Thank you for your support!

© Vanilla And Bean, LLC  – 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any content or images without express and written permission from this blog’s owner is prohibited. Licensing inquiries for publication, general distribution, and/or commercial use, please contact me on my contact page.

Copyright © 2023 · Vanilla and Bean · Website by Meyne

Menu

Home · Recipes · Contact · Privacy Policy
Terms of Use · Accessibility · California Privacy Notice

Copyright © 2023 · Vanilla and Bean On Genesis Framework · Log in

Get On The List!
Get On The List!
_____________________

Join the Vanilla And Bean community to receive sweet and savory vegetarian recipes, as well as my Five Secrets to Vegetarian Cooking email series delivered to your inbox.

You will receive recipes and kitchen tips, along with information about our partners and offerings. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.
  • Recipes
    ▼
    • Recipe Index
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Main Dish Recipes
    • Bread Recipes
      ▼
      • Sweet Breads
      • Savory Breads
    • Seasonal Recipes
      ▼
      • Fall
      • Winter
      • Spring
      • Summer
    • Sourdough
      ▼
      • Sourdough Discard Recipes
      • Gluten Free Sourdough
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegetarian
    • Condiment Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
      ▼
      • Cocktails
      • Non Alcoholic
    • Dessert Recipes
  • Sign Up For Weekly Newsletter!
  • Start Here
  • Home
  • Shop
  • About
    ▼
    • Contact
    • A little bit about me…
    • Let’s Work Together
    • Blogs I’m Reading
    • Blogger Resources
Vanilla And Bean and our partners use cookies to enhance user experience and to analyze performance and traffic on our website. By using the Site, you consent to the use of cookies. Learn More

COOKIE SETTINGS   ACCEPT
Cookie Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.

Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

CookieTypeDurationDescription
__cfduid14 weeksThe cookie is set by CloudFare. The cookie is used to identify individual clients behind a shared IP address d apply security settings on a per-client basis. It doesnot correspond to any user ID in the web application and does not store any personally identifiable information.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary011 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-non-necessary011 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Non Necessary".
OptanonConsent01 yearTracks users cookie consent preferences
viewed_cookie_policy011 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Advertisement
CookieTypeDurationDescription
IDE12 yearsUsed by Google DoubleClick and stores information about how the user uses the website and any other advertisement before visiting the website. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile.
VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE15 monthsThis cookie is set by Youtube. Used to track the information of the embedded YouTube videos on a website.
Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

CookieTypeDurationDescription
_ga02 yearsThis cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, camapign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assigns a randoly generated number to identify unique visitors.
_gid01 dayThis cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the wbsite is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages viisted in an anonymous form.
ad-id16 monthsProvided by amazon-adsystem.com for tracking user actions on other websites to provide targeted content
GPS030 minutesThis cookie is set by Youtube and registers a unique ID for tracking users based on their geographical location
Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

CookieTypeDurationDescription
_gat01 minuteThis cookies is installed by Google Universal Analytics to throttle the request rate to limit the colllection of data on high traffic sites.
YSC1This cookies is set by Youtube and is used to track the views of embedded videos.
YTCpersistent10 minutesThis cookie is set by Youtube to manage the embed and viewing of videos