An easy, delicious and protein-packed vegan chilli, great for batch-cooking and post-workout meals! And as a bonus, it's all made in one-pot, which means less washing up too.

Today I'm going back to basics and re-making an old favourite: Chilli Con Carne. A meat-free version, of course.
This recipe is also packed with plant-based protein (a whopping 25g protein per serving!) which will shut up any annoying people who ask "whErE dO yOu GeT yOuR pRoTeiN thOUgh??"
Featured in: 30 High Protein Vegan Recipes
Ingredients
For this chilli, you will need:
- Lentils - I use red split lentils, which require no soaking and cook quickly
- Kidney beans - or you can substitute black beans
- Soy mince - I use frozen soy mince which is really handy. If using dried mince, you may need to add some water with it, to rehydrate the mince.
- Chopped tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Peppers
- Celery
- Garlic
- Seasonings - Chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper to taste
- Balsamic vinegar
- Miso paste - or marmite, for depth of flavour.
- Fresh coriander

Recipe Tips
A few tips to get the best results from this recipe.
Cooking Shortcuts
If you want to make it extra easy, you can buy ready-prepared soffrito mixes at the supermarket, either in the fresh veg or frozen section.
This is a mixture of pre-chopped onion, celery and carrots which is the beginning of this recipe, and many others.
A very handy mixture to keep in the freezer for soups, veggie bolognese etc.
Bulk Cooking & Meal Prep
It's perfect for making a big portions in advance which you can freeze for up to 3 months or keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Plus, this pot is so ridiculously easy to clean, it makes the whole cooking process a breeze, including washing-up.

Video
📖 Recipe

Easy Vegan Chilli Sin Carne
An easy, delicious and meat-free chilli sin carne recipe that is perfect for making ahead and freezing. It's also packed full of plant-based protein, making it a great post-workout dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 red peppers, roughly chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 x 400 g / 14 oz tins of chopped tomatoes
- 1 x 400g / 14 oz tin red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 100 g / 3.5 oz split red lentils*
- 400 g / 14 oz frozen soy mince
- 250 ml / 1 cup vegetable stock
Optional add-ins
- 1 tsp miso paste
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- A large handful of fresh coriander, roughly chopped
To serve
- Basmati rice
- Extra chopped coriander
- A squeeze of lime juice
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan.
- Sauté the garlic, onion, celery, carrots and peppers for a few minutes, on a medium heat, until softened.
- Add the cumin, chilli powder, salt and pepper and stir.
- Pour in the chopped tomatoes, kidney beans, lentils, soy mince and vegetable stock. Add in the extra flavourings, if using.
- Simmer for 25 minutes.
- Serve with some steamed basmati rice, some fresh torn coriander and a squeeze of lime juice. Enjoy!
- Freezes well. Keeps for up to 4 days refrigerated.
Notes
Note: The only thing that stops this recipe from being gluten-free, is that most soy-mince brands I've seen tend to have barley in the ingredients. Other than that, it's gluten-free friendly!
*Make sure to use red split lentils, which require no soaking and cook quickly. Other lentils will require different cooking times and soaking requirements.
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Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size ⅙ portionsAmount Per Serving Calories 412Total Fat 17gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 59mgSodium 491mgCarbohydrates 37gFiber 8gSugar 9gProtein 27g
Sharon says
Fab recipes and great video!!! Yes you definitely you should do them more often!
That Circulon pot looks really handy. I only have saucepans (and pretty small ones at that) so mine are always overflowing. I definitely could do with something larger then I could batch cook. Will have to check out Circulon's page :)
Sara says
This chili looks mouthwatering! First of all, I love that you included lentils in addition to just beans - I feel like lentils are so underrated, but I bet they add so much texture and heartiness to a chili! Also, I've never thought to add miso to chili, but the way you describe it makes it sound like we should've been doing it all along! This looks delicious, Aimee, perfect for a cold winter day!
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
YOU MADE A VIDEO!!!! Ahhhh this is so exciting! And not just any video but a beautiful and dance along while craving chili so bad video :D Love it! This looks delicious, easy meals are definitely always in demand.
John Bailey says
This might be good, but is it not pretty stupid-or ignorant- to call a vegan dish Chili With MEAT? Why would you even want to do that?
Jim Smith says
Wow. You must be a lonely man.
Jim K says
It’s a legitimate question given that carne literally means meat, and that, prima facie, this dish is sans meat (aka false advertising) Your response to the question is dripping with ignorance and no discussive desire.
Answer the question rather than just invalidly attacking the questioner.
Aimee says
I agree and that's why I changed it to "sin carne". I originally had it "con carne" because I wanted it to be a searchable term for the classic dish but figured it's a bit too misleading so now it's been changed.
However, I think the tone and the aggressiveness of John's comment is what Jim is reacting to, rather than the question itself. That's what I thought, anyway.
Ville Halonen says
I found this recipe by googling "chili sin carne". I'm not sure when I first encountered it by that name, probably 15 years ago or so.
Sarah | Well and Full says
This looks amazing, Aimee! And I bet it's super filling with the combination of lentils and beans!