Vegan Cauliflower Black Bean Chili

Vegan Cauliflower Black Bean Chili

There’s nothing like the aroma of a pot of hearty, earthy chili simmering on the stove on a cool autumn day. This vegan cauliflower black bean chili is a healthy and just-as-hearty rendition of traditional chili, made with cauliflower, sweet bell peppers, tomatoes, and protein-packed black beans, seasoned with earthy cumin, cayenne, chili powder.

My family loves a nice, hearty bowl of chili, usually accompanied by freshly sliced avocado, a dollop of Greek yogurt and garnished with fresh parsley. I love making this one-pot meal since it requires little effort to prepare and I can make enough for leftovers, plus ready-to-serve freezer meals for busy weeknights. This recipe is a winner in my home-for me, since I follow a predominantly vegan diet, and for my husband and kids who love chili. This vegan cauliflower black bean chili appeases the family with its earthy flavours, chunky texture, and delicious flavour, and also allows for me to enjoy a meatless meal without having to prepare a separate meal for myself!

Vegan Cauliflower Black Bean Chili

Serve this delicious, wholesome vegan chili to the family on meatless Mondays or any day of the week, for that matter! It’s delicious served as is, but adding a dollop of Greek yogurt (for non-vegans), creamy avocado, and parsley adds freshness and another depth of flavour to this one-pot wonder.

If you try this recipe (and love it!) be sure to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram with #bitesforfoodies so I can see your creation!

Vegan Cauliflower Black Bean Chili

2015-11-18
: Serves 2-4
: 5 min
: 25-30 min

There’s nothing like the aroma of a pot of hearty, earthy chili simmering on the stove on a cool autumn day. This vegan cauliflower black bean chili is a healthy and just-as-hearty rendition of traditional chili, made with cauliflower, sweet bell peppers, tomatoes, and protein-packed black beans, seasoned with earthy cumin, cayenne, chili powder. My […]

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Vegan Cauliflower Black Bean Chili
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Ingredients
    1 small red onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1/2 yellow bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1 garlic clove, finely diced
  • 1 whole head of cauliflower, florets removed and finely chopped
  • 1 28oz can of whole tomatoes
  • 1 190z can pureed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp. dried cumin
  • 3-4 tbs. chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 19oz can black beans, drained
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbs. extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbs. finely diced fresh parsley, for garnish
Directions

Heat olive oil in a medium pot on medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Add the finely diced onion, peppers, and garlic and saute for 5-7 minutes or until translucent. Add the cauliflower florets and cook for 4-5 minutes or until lightly browned on some sides.

Add the tomatoes and spices and bring to a boil on high heat. Once boiling, reduce to simmer and cook (covered) for 20-25 minutes. Remove the lid and continue to cook (uncovered) for another 20-25 minutes until thickened and the cauliflower is fork tender. Add the beans and stir in to heat through for 1-2 minutes then turn off the heat.

91 thoughts on “Vegan Cauliflower Black Bean Chili”

  • Shanna Nispel 2 years ago

    “Riced” up the cauliflower in my food processor and really liked the results – no actual cauliflower flavor, but added a nice ground beefy texture. Great for a fall evening!

  • Great Recipe. Doubled it, used Ancho Chili from Penney’s as the Chili powder, added the juice from one lemon in place of salt. Best vegan chili I’ve ever had.

  • Shelley White-Corey 6 years ago

    Just made this last night and it was delicious (not just for babies)! I used a large head of cauliflower and minced it in the food processor until it was the consistency of rice. It seemed to be an enormous amount of cauliflower, so I added a second can of black beans and increased the garlic (3 cloves) and cumin powder (2 tsp). We really liked the end product.

    • So good to hear! Thanks for coming back to comment. You seem to love cumin as much as I do…I usually increase the amount too, but I’m not sure if it’s an ingredient that all people like so I kept it minimal in this recipe! This is one of my favourite go-to meals…Actually, since I started making this I don’t miss regular chili AT ALL!

    • Krystal N Mitchell 6 years ago

      Loved this it is now a staple

  • Patricia 7 years ago

    I made this last weekend. It was delicious!

  • Heidi 7 years ago

    This was delicious! I didn’t read the recipe carefully and accidentally chopped the cauliflower in food processor – it looked a little gross but tasted fantastic! Thanks for the recipe!!

    • Hi Heidi! Glad you loved it! I thought for a second there was a misprint in the recipe. Completely pureed could work too…like a ‘cream of…’ soup, except no cream! I hope you come back to try another recipe.

  • Now, this looks really good! I am not trying to be a Vegan, but I am trying to bring in more fruits and veggies into my life. The recipe seems easy and the ingredients are simple enough to were I will fill out of place using them.

  • Erika Andrea Meister 8 years ago

    My daughter told me that I need to be Vegan once a week, after picking up the Vegan Guide from the bins on the streets of NYC. I was also looking for a way to up the veggie factor in chili. Love the cauliflower idea—a veg our whole family loves. I will let you know how it turns out, but sounds great!

  • Monica 8 years ago

    This one look so good lisa. And only a 3 minute prep time?!

  • Lara Paquette 8 years ago

    this looks so good! I’m giving my son cauliflower for the first time this weekend! can’t wait to get to recipes like this with him!

    • There are a few other yumy recipes on the Blog that you could try! You should try the cauliflower ‘cream’ sauce! It’s a great condiment for pasta!

  • Tracy Iglesias 8 years ago

    Looks like a healthy version of my favorite winter comfort food, thanks for sharing this recipe!

    Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly

  • Jaime Nicole 8 years ago

    This looks really tasty! We love chili and this would be healthier than what we make!

  • Stephanie Pass 8 years ago

    This looks delicious! My husband would love this. He’s been wanting me to work cauliflower more into his food, and this sounds like the perfect recipe to try.

  • dawn 8 years ago

    oh my this looks soooo good. i am gonna have to tell my mom to make this. i know she would love it also.

  • This looks both tasty and healthy. It also has a rich flavor with the chili.

  • Nickida Stephens 8 years ago

    Honestly I have never cooked cauliflower before. Not sure why but this chili looks delicious.

  • SwappinSpoons 8 years ago

    Oh Yum! I bet this is just as good as the one with meat in it!

  • Kristen Dann 8 years ago

    I never thought about adding cauliflower into my chili. This sounds absolutely delicious!

  • Rebecca Swenor 8 years ago

    This Vegan Cauliflower Black Bean Chili looks delicious. I have never had chili with cauliflower in it before so I will have to try making this recipe.

  • I am very hungry right now just looking at your beautiful pictures, this black bean chilli looks delicious. I would munch it pretty quickly vegan or not.

  • Your photos are gorgeous. I can’t even eat the food because I want to stare at it all day. lol. I actually saved this recipe and your site. I think it’s a great idea to make so many recipes and document it for other moms and potential moms. Thank you!

  • Oh yum! That looks like what I need right now!! I am in love with chilis this time of year and I love cauliflower!

  • Heather @ Kraus House Mom 8 years ago

    I love a good chili. I’ve never thought to add cauliflower. A great way to bulk it up without a lot of calories.

  • I’ve never had chili with cauliflower in it, but that sounds and looks good. I love cauliflower.

  • What a delicious looking chili! Of course, I love chili during this time of year. I try to make a batch every week or every other week!

  • Giannina Guy 8 years ago

    This really, really looks good! We love chili in our house and I like to try different variations so a veggie option is a great addition. Pinned to my ‘must cook’ board!

  • Alli Smith 8 years ago

    I make a Kickin’ Cauliflower Soup and I make Black Bean Chili, but I’ve never thought to add cauliflower to m black bean chili. I have to make this ASAP. This will be perfect for the weekend.

  • Susie Qpons 8 years ago

    This dish looks incredible! I’ll have to try it out on my husband since he loves cauliflower so much! 🙂

  • This sounds like a super healthy meal. I personally don’t care for califlower though. Thank you for sharing.

  • cvantassel 8 years ago

    Chili is such a hearty meal for the winter time. We make several types of chili during the colder weather. This is an interesting twist on traditional chili.

  • Lynn Dee 8 years ago

    We love chili around here, but we’ve never tried it with cauliflower yet. Never thought of that. Thanks for the recipe.

  • chubskulit 8 years ago

    Ha, my stomach just growl upon seeing that yummy chili. That sounds really delicious.

  • Ann Bacciaglia 8 years ago

    I do not eat vegan but this sounds like a great chili that I would love to try. Cauliflower is one of my favourite veggies.

  • Wood Arts Universe 8 years ago

    I’m not really a vegan but I would love to try this one out. The favorite ingredient of your recipe is the chili. It spicy up any dishes!

  • Cauliflower has become the new ‘it’ food isn’t it? 😀 I love them too but never would’ve think they will be great in chili and I love chili so I can’t wait to try your recipe. Off to pin it now

  • I love Chili. I could eat it everyday in the winter. I will making this healthier version very soon.

  • Oh yum! I bet this tastes good. It certainly looks good.

  • rika agustini 8 years ago

    great vegan recipe. I love cauliflower too! I have to try this recipe

  • Hmm I bet this would taste just as hearty as the ‘original’ meat lovers chili. Looks absolutely yummy! I could dive right in.

  • The cauliflower is a good addition to this recipe. The weather has been cooler here in my country and I think this will just be perfect.

  • Jennifer Van Huss 8 years ago

    What a great adaptation! I have never heard of adding Cauliflower!! sounds delicious!

  • Mistee Dawn 8 years ago

    That looks so good. I love chili! I know my husband would love this!

  • Beautifully Travelled 8 years ago

    Oh I could use a lovely stew like this to warm me up. Yum yum. Perfect for lunch! Thank you for sharing x Kat I http://www.beautifullytravelled.com

  • Erin Shebish 8 years ago

    Oh yum, this looks amazing! I’ve done meatless chilis before but never with cauliflower! Thats just brilliant!

  • Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle 8 years ago

    That looks delicious. I love chili. I’ve never though of putting cauliflower in it before.

  • Megan Elford 8 years ago

    Ooh, I’m always on the lookout for new chili recipes, and this one looks delicious! I can’t wait to try it!

  • Savannah Miller 8 years ago

    Yum we eat a lot of chili in my house during the winter I will have to try this recipe 🙂

  • Ourfamilyworld 8 years ago

    My family loves a good chili. I’m trying to avoid eating meat a lot. i’d like to try this.

  • Jeanette 8 years ago

    OH Chili sounds like just what the Dr ordered. It sound nice and warm! I have never tried with a head of cauliflower, but I really love it anyway I can get it so I will have to try this.

  • Anita Fonte 8 years ago

    I love to eat chilli when I am sick. The spice in it does the trick to my sore throat to make it better. Love that this recipe is meatless as its so much more better to eat.

  • Eileen Mendoza Loya 8 years ago

    Me and my family are all meat lovers, however, I think I would still give your recipe a try. A nice vegetable meal, cooked like chili will always be welcome in our home.

  • Robin Rue 8 years ago

    Oh wow, this sounds absolutely delicious. What a healthy, hearty winter meal idea this is. I love it.

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