Vegetarian Tofu Chili

Vegetarian chilli with red and white beans

katerinabelaya / Getty Images

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 50 mins
Total: 60 mins
Servings: 8 servings

This vegetarian and vegan chili recipe packs twice the protein punch with both beans and tofu as well as plenty of flavor from chili powder, bell peppers, mushrooms, and a touch of sugar to give it that little extra bit of something. We also like to add a touch of paprika into a vegetarian chili if we have some on hand, and we know a few vegetarians who swear by the flavor-enhancing properties of liquid smoke—add a dash or two right in there, if you'd like. 

Vegetarian chili is always a great idea to bring to a potluck since it's easy to whip up a large batch. Freeze up any leftovers you have in portioned out containers to take into the office for a leftover lunch.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 1 (14-ounce) package firm, or extra-firm tofu, crumbled

  • 1 medium onion, diced

  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms

  • 3 tablespoons chili powder

  • Salt, to taste

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 (14-ounce) can tomato sauce

  • 1 (28-ounce) can whole or diced tomatoes with liquid

  • 1 (28-ounce) can kidney beans, drained

  • 1 tablespoon sugar, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. In a large pot, saute the tofu in the 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes.

  2. Add in the onion, green pepper, garlic, 1 cup of mushrooms, 3 tablespoons of chili powder, salt, pepper, 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne, and 1/2 teaspoon of cumin. Cook until the veggies are just barely tender, about 5 minutes.

  3. Next, add in the tomato sauce, the whole or diced tomatoes, the kidney beans, and the optional 1 tablespoon of sugar. Bring to a slow simmer. Cover and allow to cook for at least 45 minutes. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
264 Calories
10g Fat
34g Carbs
16g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 264
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g 13%
Saturated Fat 1g 6%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 760mg 33%
Total Carbohydrate 34g 12%
Dietary Fiber 11g 38%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 16g
Vitamin C 29mg 144%
Calcium 257mg 20%
Iron 5mg 26%
Potassium 872mg 19%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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