Easy Corn & Black Bean Chili | Vegetarian Chili Recipe (2024)

Posted by Ruth Soukup | Main Course Recipes, Our Most Popular Recipes, Soup Recipes, Vegetarian-Friendly Recipes | 22

Easy Corn & Black Bean Chili | Vegetarian Chili Recipe (1)

This hearty corn & black bean chili recipe can easily be made vegetarian and only takes 30-minutes. It is the perfect the chili recipe for any day of the week.

This is hands down my favorite chili recipe ever! Not only is it super easy, coming together in less than 30 minutes, it uses mostly basic pantry staples which makes it super thrifty too. The key to the super fresh flavor is the green verde chili, so don’t skip that part!

As usual, I used vegetarian protein crumbles instead of ground beef, but those of you who prefer REAL meat could substitute a pound of ground beef or turkey instead. Although I personally prefer things a little spicier, I make this version fairly mild so that it is still kid friendly. (My kids absolutely love this recipe!) For more of a kick, you can add hot chiles, fresh jalapeño, and extra hot chili powder.

30 Minute Vegetarian Corn & Black Bean Chili

Easy Corn & Black Bean Chili | Vegetarian Chili Recipe (2)

Here is what you need:

3-4 tablespoons butter
1 sweet onion
1 package vegetarian protein crumbles (such as Morningstar or Gardein brand or 1 pound ground beef)
2 15oz cans black beans
1 15oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
1 15oz can low sodium corn kernels, undrained
1 4oz can diced green chiles, undrained
1 16oz jar salsa verde (the green kind)
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
sour cream
fresh cilantro
cooked rice (optional)

Easy Corn & Black Bean Chili | Vegetarian Chili Recipe (3)

Step 1: Dice onions. Melt butter in large pot over medium heat. Saute onions until soft, about 5 minutes.

Easy Corn & Black Bean Chili | Vegetarian Chili Recipe (4)

Step 2: Add vegetarian protein crumbles (or ground beef); cook until browned, 5-7 minutes more. Reduce heat to medium low.

Easy Corn & Black Bean Chili | Vegetarian Chili Recipe (5)

Step 3: Rinse & drain black beans

Easy Corn & Black Bean Chili | Vegetarian Chili Recipe (6)

Step 4: Add tomatoes, corn, green chiles, salsa, & black beans to pot; mix well. Add chili powder. Bring just to boiling, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.

Easy Corn & Black Bean Chili | Vegetarian Chili Recipe (7)

Step 5: Chop cilantro. Serve chili in bowl topped with sour cream, cilantro, & rice (optional).

Easy Corn & Black Bean Chili | Vegetarian Chili Recipe (8)

(love these cute denim placemats? You can learn how to make them here)

Easy Corn & Black Bean Chili | Vegetarian Chili Recipe (9)

Print

Easy Corn & Black Bean Chili

From pantry to table in only 30 minutes!

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Keyword Corn & Black Bean Chili

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Author Ruth Soukup

Ingredients

  • 3-4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 sweet onion
  • 1 package vegetarian protein crumbles such as Morningstar or Boca brand (or 1 pound ground beef)
  • 2 15 oz cans black beans
  • 1 15 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 15 oz can low sodium corn kernels undrained
  • 1 4 oz can diced green chiles undrained
  • 1 16 oz jar salsa verde the green kind
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
  • sour cream
  • fresh cilantro
  • cooked rice optional

Instructions

  1. Dice onions. Melt butter in large pot over medium heat. Saute onions until soft, about 5 minutes.

  2. Add vegetarian protein crumbles (or ground beef); cook until browned, 5-7 minutes more. Reduce heat to medium low.

  3. Rinse & drain black beans.

  4. Add tomatoes, corn, green chiles, salsa, & black beans to pot; mix well. Add chili powder. Bring just to boiling, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.

  5. Chop cilantro. Serve chili in bowl topped with sour cream, cilantro, & rice (optional).

Recipe Notes

Number of servings (yield): 6

If you like this recipe, you’ll love these!

  • Easy White Bean Chili
  • 5 Star Vegetarian Chili
  • Grandma’s Sloppy Joes

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Ruth Soukup

Founder at Living Well Spending Less

Ruth Soukup is dedicated to helping people everywhere create a life they love by follwing their dreams and achieving their biggest goals. She is the host of the wildly popular Do It Scared podcast, as well as the founder of Living Well Spending Less® and Elite Blog Academy®. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of six books, including Do It Scared®: Finding the Courage to Face Your Fears, Overcome Obstacles, and Create a Life You Love, which was the inspiration for this book. She lives in Florida with her husband Chuck, and 2 daughters Maggie & Annie.

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Latest posts by Ruth Soukup (see all)

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Easy Corn & Black Bean Chili | Vegetarian Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

What is the secret to best chili? ›

Only Add Flavorful Liquids

Instead of adding water to your chili, add some more flavor with chicken or beef broth, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, or even beet or wine. Each one of these options brings out different notes and levels of sweetness that will enhance your culinary creation.

Should I put corn in my chili? ›

Many chili aficionados add a little sweetness to their chili with some brown sugar or even maple syrup to complement the earthy peppers and balance out some of the spice. But adding corn cobs to your chili is the secret to bringing natural sweetness without adding sugar.

What beans are best in 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.

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 is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. 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 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.

What does brown sugar do to chili? ›

Mmm! 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.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Ideally, chili should simmer low and slow. This allows some of the liquid to evaporate and results in a thicker consistency and deeper, more complex flavor as the aromatics and spices release their superpowers.

What are the best onions for chili? ›

Sweet Onion

Sweet onions are great for caramelizing due to their higher sugar content. You can cook them into your chili, serve them raw over top, or even elevate your chili with a sophisticated caramelized onion topping! Some of my favorite sweet onions are Walla, Walla, Maui, and Vidalia Onions.

What kind of tomatoes for chili? ›

Your choice of chili depends on your preferences in heat, bitterness, and sweetness. I love guajillo chilies, chipotle, and pasillas." "Use a good canned tomato -- San Marzano, basically -- or fry the tomatoes in peanut oil and peel them yourself, which is my preference. It adds a great nutty flavor."

Does Gordon Ramsay put beans in chili? ›

Gordon Ramsay's recipe for chili con carne includes onion, a red chili pepper, fresh tomatoes, and kidney beans. Ramsay's chili recipe is lengthy — it includes everything from ground cumin and sweet paprika to a cinnamon stick, ground beef or beef mince, and garlic.

How do you make chili taste deeper? ›

Coffee. A cup of strong, brewed coffee will work wonders for your pot of chili, imparting a deep, roasted flavor that will make the chili taste like it simmered away all day long.

How do you enhance the flavor of chili? ›

How to Give Chili a Flavor Boost
  1. Add something acidic. ...
  2. Try to identify what about your chili is boring. ...
  3. Add tomato paste. ...
  4. Drop in some chocolate. ...
  5. Embrace pickling liquid. ...
  6. Stir in some molasses.

What makes can chili taste better? ›

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.

How do you add depth of Flavour to chili con carne? ›

What can I add to chilli con carne for more flavour? Spices such as ground cumin, coriander and cinnamon round out the flavours without adding much heat (that's where the chillies come in). If you enjoy smoky flavours, try adding smoked paprika in addition to the other spices.

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