Our weather has been a bit indecisive lately. Do I want to rain, or do I want to snow? Do I want to be -10 degrees or a rather balmy 36. It decided to be the latter yesterday, right before it rained for several hours. Luckily, before that happened, my daughter and I snuck in some backyard hide and seek, several hundred under-dogs on the swing set, and rousing game of PJ Masks. I got to be Owlette. No, I don’t expect you to have any clue about that last one, unless of course you have little ones around the ages 3 – 5. All I know is that we were both excited to get out of the house, without our noses and fingertips turning into little icicles.
Winter can be a tough time in the Mid-west. Not just because of all the shoveling, windshield scraping, and slippery snow driving, but because you start to feel a bit shut-in. Especially with young children. We brave the cold and suit up in our snow pants and puffy coats… as long as it isn’t “frostbite in 10 minutes” cold. Since it’s been cold enough to lose your digits for a couple weeks, the old cabin fever has been settling in. Winter in the Midwest. It can sure be a real test of character. The only reward for all of our hardship? Cozy cold-weather food. I’m talking oatmeal, hot chocolate (or both together), soups, stews, and thick, spicy, hearty chili.
Chili is one of the dishes I know will put a smile on 2/3 of my family. My husband and I love it, but my daughter not so much. Too “picy.” Anything with detectable seasonings, whether there is heat or not, lands on my daughter’s too spicy list. Although this chili has plenty of spice and flavor, to my shock and amazement, my daughter ate this up! So when I suggest that this chili will be universally adored, I mean it. Even discerning/persnickety three and a half year olds approve.
The key to the coziness of this plant-based chili is the luscious addition of homemade cashew cream. In searching for inspiration for this dish, the creamy looking one’s kept catching my eye. When I found this recipe on the interwebs, I just knew I had to healthify/vegan-ize it. I also added frozen organic sweet corn, as it just adds another layer of flavor and extra heartiness. Feel free to add whatever veggies suit your fancy. If you really like your mouth on fire when you eat your chili, bump up the cayenne pepper or add some chopped jalapeno. I kept this one fairly mild so as not to completely freak out my little aforementioned spice detector.
If you’re already tired of winter, hang in there my friends. I heard next week it’s going to be in the 40’s… an absolute heat wave! Also, only 66 days left until spring! That doesn’t sound so bad, right? If nothing else, you at least have cozy winter food to get you through.
Happy chili days my friends!
White Bean Chili – Vegan and Oil Free
Prep time: 10 minutes (not counting cashew soak time)
Cook time: 45 minutes
Serves 6-8
Ingredients:
- 1 large yellow or orange bell pepper, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 32 oz vegetable broth
- 4 – 15.5 oz cans, rinsed and drained (or about 7.5 – 8 cups cooked/drained) white beans, I used a combination of cannelini, navy, and garbanzo
- 4 oz can of green chilis
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/4 – 1/2 tsp salt (start low and taste, adjust if needed)
- 1/4 tsp pepper or to taste
- optional – 1/4 tsp cayenne
- optional, for extra heat – 1 small seeded and chopped jalepeno
- optional – 1 cup of frozen white sweet corn
Cashew Cream*
- 1/2 cup soaked cashews (soaked 2-4 hours)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
fresh cilantro to serve
Instructions:
Add 2 – 3 tbsp of water to a large pot and heat over medium until shimmering. Add the peppers, onion, and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding an extra splash of water if needed.
Add remaining ingredients, except the soaked cashews and frozen corn, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cover, continue to cook for about 40 minutes.
While the chili is cooking, make the cashew cream. In a high speed blender, combine your soaked cashews with 1/2 cup of water and 1 tbsp of lemon juice. Blend on high until smooth, adding an extra 1/4 cup of water if needed.
At the 40 minute mark, stir in the frozen corn and cashew cream. Turn the heat up to medium and cook until heated through. Serve with fresh cilantro.
Notes:
*You can sub 1 cup of dairy-free sour cream in place of the cashew cream, or feel free to leave it out.
FAQs
I think this may be the third iteration of Trader Joe's vegetarian (really vegan) chili. — at one point, they swapped out the soy for sunflower protein, and now peas are having their day in the sun. So, if you have allergies or sensitivities to peas, proceed with caution.
What is the difference between white chili and regular chili? ›
Traditionally, white chili is made with chicken and white-colored beans. Regular chili, or red chili, is tomato based. Vegan white chili gets much of its flavor from the beans and the added green chiles. In this recipe, vegetable broth is used as a base instead of tomato sauce.
Can you call it chili without beans? ›
Beans in chili? Not if you're from Texas! While some people claim that chili can be made with a variety of ingredients—including beef and bean chili, chipotle chicken chili, or dare we say veggie chili—anyone from the Lone Star State would argue that traditional chili simply does not contain beans.
Does chili have beans and meat? ›
The ICS defines Traditional Red Chili as "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, cooked with red chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients. Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed."
Is Wendy's chili vegan? ›
Bakery Items – The biscuits, cookies, or croissants are not vegan-friendly. All contain eggs and dairy. Chili – Contains meat.
Does Chick-Fil-A have vegan meat options? ›
Chick-fil-A offers a few options for those times you need to feed a bunch of hungry vegans at once. Does Chick-fil-A offer vegan chicken? No, there is no vegan chicken. But since other fast-food chains have introduced plant-based substitutes for chicken, we might see this at Chick-fil-A before long.
Which chili is the healthiest? ›
Green chillies have higher water content and zero calories which makes them a healthy choice for those who are trying to shed some pounds. Green chillies are a rich source of beta–carotene, antioxidants and endorrphins while red chilies consumed in excess can cause internal inflammation which results in peptic ulcers.
Why do Texans say no beans in chili? ›
Why are beans not good for chili? Beans are actually tasty with chili but Real Chili (there is only Texas Red - all others are faux chili) is made without beans because, back in the days of the cattle trails, the Hands ate a diet of beans.
What state does not put beans in chili? ›
Ok, we may be exaggerating a bit, but the fact remains (as silly as it seems) some people have very strong stances as to whether beans belong in chili or not. For the most part, it's a geographical thing. In Texas, chili without beans is the norm.
Why do Texans make chili without beans? ›
If you go pretty much anywhere in Texas you will find chili ingredients simple and rarely differing: meat, sauce, peppers and spices. Carol Hanco*ck, President and CEO of the International Chili Society, told Texas Living there is a specific reason why Texas chili contains no beans: it's tradition.
In turn, the name “chili sin carne” means chili without meat. Vegan Chili Sin Carne sauce is a classic Texan dish that is originally served with Mexican tortillas or rice.
What makes Texas chili different? ›
What primarily distinguishes Texas chili from other chili recipes you might find is a lack of beans, but it also doesn't feature any tomatoes. It is, largely, a ground beef dish that's seasoned with a spicy chili paste made of dried peppers.
Why do people make chili without beans? ›
No-beans side argue that beans distract your mouth from the beef and spices that chili is supposed to showcase. Texans in particular are likely to reject beans; in fact, the no-bean version is often referred to as Texas chili.
What ingredients are in Trader Joe's vegetarian chili? ›
Ingredients. Water, red beans+, onions+, tomato paste+, textured sunflower protein+, canola oil+, bell pepper+, [green pepper+, red pepper+], contains 2% or less of spices+, salt, cornstarch+, garlic powder+, garlic+, jalapeno peppers+. +Organic.
Are Trader Joe's chili and lime chips vegan? ›
But not completely, because Trader Joe's has stepped in to make its own version of the spicy chili and lime-flavored Mexican rolled tortilla chips. And, drumroll please, its version is not only just as tasty, but it's also 100-percent gluten-free (and vegan, too, of course).
Are Trader Joe's Joe Joes vegan? ›
Just like Oreo's are accidentally vegan, Joe Joe's are too. But way, way better. All varieties of Joe-Joe's are 100% dairy and egg free (including seasonal favorites like Pumpkin and Candy Cane), with the Vanilla-Vanilla being the underrated superstar (trust us). Salty sweet heaven.
