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    Home » Comfort Food » Three Bean Chili (Vegan)

    Three Bean Chili (Vegan)

    Jun 10, 2025 by Julia Maz · This post may contain affiliate links

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    This Three Bean Chili is a delicious and filling vegan meal that will really warm you up. Made with chipotles, spices, and veggies, it has the perfect mix of flavor and heat.

    Three Bean Chili on a spoon

    This Three Bean Chili is so good and you will really appreciate it during the colder months. Warm, spicy, and filling, it makes a yummy dinner or lunch. In fact, the flavors only get better as it sits, so these leftovers are going to go quick. Made with chipotles in adobo sauce to add a smoky element and jalapenos for heat, this simple dish can be made as spicy as you like.

    This vegan chili is really versatile and you can change up the beans, spices, or vegetables so the dish works with what your family likes and also what's in your pantry. I love how easy it is, and most of the cook time is spent simmering, so you can take care of other things while dinner is finishing up. Let's look at what you'll be using to make this tasty Three Bean Chili.

    Video Tutorial

    What you'll need

    • Olive Oil. Or any other oil.
    • Onion. Yellow, white, or red.
    • Garlic. Fresh garlic is a must here.
    • Jalapenos. Optional, but recommended.
    • Beans. Cannelini beans, black beans, and kidney beans.
    • Diced tomatoes. I used canned.
    • Veggie Broth. Use your favorite kind.
    • Chipotles in Adobo Sauce. Adds a very nice flavor and smoky aroma. Read more here: What to do with Chipotles in Adobo Sauce.
    • Spices. Paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, and cocoa powder (optional).

    How to make it

    1. In a large pot, cook the onion in olive oil for 5 minutes over medium heat, until it just starts to turn golden.

    cooking onions

    2. To the onion, add garlic, jalapenos, chipotles in Adobo sauce, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute.

    adding spices

    3. Now add the tomato sauce, beans, and cacao powder. Stir everything well.

    adding beans

    4. At this point, add the veggie broth and stir again. Bring everything to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve.

    adding broth
    Three Bean Chili on a laddle

    Tips for the best Three Bean Chili

    • Saute the onions well. Cooking the onions until they are soft and golden brings out their natural sweetness, which tastes delicious in this Three Bean Chili. Allow them to just slightly brown.
    • Add cocoa powder. It might sound weird, but this ingredient adds a lot of depth of flavor to the chili that you're going to love.
    • Use canned beans and tomatoes. This isn't required, but if you're short on time, then doing this will help you prep the chili faster. Just rinse and drain the beans before adding them.
    • Let the chili simmer. Rushing this step will steal some of the flavor because simmering allows all the ingredients to meld. You don't want to miss out on the rich flavors that result.

    Add-ins and Substitutes

    • Substitute other beans. If you don't have these three on hand or prefer others, go ahead and substitute them. Pinto or Great Northern beans are great choices.
    • Add vegetables. Bell peppers, spinach, corn, or potato can all be added to this Three Bean Chili for delicious results and even more health benefits.
    • Substitute other spices. Try other seasonings in this dish that fit your tastes. Chili powder, curry, cinnamon, or cayenne pepper are common chili flavor boosters.
    • Add lentils. Lentils are high in protein and fiber, and are a great add-in to chili. Brown or green lentils are usually best for this type of recipe, but you can use whatever variety you like.

    How to Store

    You can store this Three Bean Chili in the refrigerator for 5-6 days in an airtight container. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Just scoop the chili into a freezer ziplock bag and let it freeze flat, then store it vertically to save room. Thaw and warm in the microwave or on the stove top when you are ready to serve.

    What to Serve with it

    • With toppings. Serve a bowl of this Three Bean Chili with chives, avocado, vegan cheese, and plant-based sour cream.
    • With cornbread. Hot cornbread muffins with vegan butter melting on top is such a treat with chili!
    • Alongside salad. Add some greens to the meal with a salad, such as this Napa Cabbage Salad with Corn, Creamy Cucumber Radish Salad, or Tomato and Onion Salad.
    • With a side of vegetables. Serve this chili with a side of your favorite veggies. Try this Simple Roasted Broccoli, Grilled Eggplant, Baked Vegan Zucchini Fries, or Simple Vegetable Skewers.
    Three Bean Chili in a bowl

    This Three Bean Chili is so flavorful and satisfying. It's the perfect meal on a cold day and versatile enough to make everyone at the table happy. Enjoy it all season long!

    More tasty and filling vegan recipes:

    • Amazing Lentil Chili
    • Easy Zucchini Chickpea Curry
    • Coconut Lentil Curry
    • Cabbage Curry
    • Hearty Red Lentil Stew

    Three Bean Chili

    This Three Bean Chili is a delicious and filling vegan meal that will really warm you up. Made with chipotles, spices, and veggies, it has the perfect mix of flavor and heat.
    4.74 from 19 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 285kcal
    Author: Julia Maz

    Ingredients

    • 2 tbsp. olive oil
    • 1 large onion, diced
    • 3 garlic cloves, minced
    • 2 jalapenos, seeds removed and diced
    • 1 tbsp. chipotles in Adobo sauce
    • 1 tbsp. paprika
    • ½ tbsp. cumin powder
    • 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained
    • 1 can (15 oz.) cannellini beans, drained
    • 1 can (15 oz.) kidney beans, drained
    • ½ tbsp. dark cocoa powder optional
    • 1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes
    • 1 ½ cup veggie broth
    • 1 tsp. sea salt or to taste
    • ¼ tsp. pepper or to taste

    Instructions

    • In a large pot, cook the onion in olive oil for 5 minutes over medium heat, until it just starts to turn golden.
    • To the onion, add garlic, jalapenos, chipotles in Adobo sauce, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
    • Now add the tomato sauce, beans, and cacao powder. Stir everything well.
    • At this point, add the veggie broth and stir again. Bring everything to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve.

    Video Tutorial

    Notes

    Add-ins and Substitutes

    • Substitute other beans. If you don't have these three on hand or prefer others, go ahead and substitute them. Pinto or Great Northern beans are great choices.
    • Add vegetables. Bell peppers, spinach, corn, or potato can all be added to this Three Bean Chili for delicious results and even more health benefits.
    • Substitute other spices. Try other seasonings in this dish that fit your tastes. Chili powder, curry, cinnamon, or cayenne pepper are common chili flavor boosters.
    • Add lentils. Lentils are high in protein and fiber, and are a great add-in to chili. Brown or green lentils are usually best for this type of recipe, but you can use whatever variety you like.

    How to Store

    You can store this Three Bean Chili in the refrigerator for 5-6 days in an airtight container. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Just scoop the chili into a freezer ziplock bag and let it freeze flat, then store it vertically to save room. Thaw and warm in the microwave or on the stove top when you are ready to serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 1130mg | Potassium: 570mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 714IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 150mg | Iron: 6mg

    More Comfort Food Recipes

    • Vegan Cabbage Rolls
    • 🌿Air Fryer Cabbage Steaks
    • 🥬 Balsamic Roasted Cabbage Steaks
    • Creamy Vegan Cauliflower Steaks

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Reina says

      January 31, 2025 at 8:15 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe - it's a hit every single time. Do you think this can be made in the instant pot as well? I'm trying to use dried beans (soaked overnight) instead of canned.

      Reply
      • Tania Sheff says

        March 06, 2025 at 12:05 am

        Hi Reina! Yes, this recipe can be made in Instant Pot. Thank you for the rating!

        Reply
    2. Mahananda says

      January 25, 2024 at 1:08 am

      I am so happy that my Special Friend introduced and actually made this chili 3 bean recipe for me! His culinary skills in the kitchen never disappoint! I am so pleased to wash the dishes and clean up after his preparation and massage his resting feet as we do that for each other’s day in the kitchen. It’s been a regular in our meal plans since November 2023! Tonight’s dinner includes a bowl of this delicious dish. Never thought cocoa could make a chili genuflect with incredible flavor! Heartfelt Thank You!🍽️🍽️🍽️🍽️🍽️

      Reply
      • Tania Sheff says

        February 20, 2024 at 12:40 am

        Thank you so much, Mahananda!

        Reply
    3. Margaret says

      June 21, 2022 at 8:05 pm

      5 stars
      We really like this recipe and I will use it for my main chilli recipe. I sautéed the onion in a bit of water since I try to follow whole food plant based. I really like the addition of the cocoa powder. I added some frozen corn and frozen peppers to it for colour and more veggies.

      Reply
      • Tania Sheff says

        June 22, 2022 at 2:42 am

        I am so glad you liked it, Margaret! Thank you for the rating!

        Reply

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