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.
Recipe featured in my cookbook ‘Wallflower Kitchen‘ – Get your copy now!
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
Gina says
this dish is divine, i didnt use the soy product and i added a cup of shiraz with the stock as i added an extra pepper green, and i also added chopped organic silverbeet at the end , i served with rice, thankyou for the recipe/ one of the nicest winter dishes i have tasted
Dee says
This is delicious and easy! I’d never cooked w TVP before, but this was SOOOOOO good, I’ll definitely make this again and no longer be “afraid” of TVP. I used 1 cup dry TVP (reconstituted in 7/8 cup boiling veggie broth while the veggies sautéed). I added all the optional mix ins, plus went heavy on the spices and topped w lime, cilantro and hot sauce + a poached egg for extra protein. I added a bit extra broth and cooked about 15 minutes longer. Thanks for a winning recipe!!
Ash says
This worked so well! I diced the peppers and onions rather small. I made mine with quinoa rather than rice. I also added more of the seasonings, cause I enjoy my chili spicy.
Kayla says
This chili was exactly what I was looking for. The flavors and combination of vegetables and plant-based protein are perfect. Great recipe!
Melissa m prien says
I just made this recipe for the first time. This is my first vegetarian meal I’ve ever prepared and honestly it turned out great. It was simple to make and very tasty. My only problem was I could not find the soy mince. I have no idea what it is or were to find it. But I love the recipe all the same.