Busy weeknights call for yummy recipes like this easy vegetarian white bean chili. Bell pepper, onion, and corn make it extra hearty!
White bean chicken chili is one of my favorite types of chili. I love the creaminess combined with the beans, chicken, and green chilies. Let's not forget the yummy white chili seasoning!
We don't eat a lot of vegetarian recipes—we're huge fans of dishes like spicy BLT dogs, and this super easy one-pan no peek chicken and rice.
But my second oldest daughter is vegetarian and so I try to accommodate her choice by cooking vegetarian meals more often than I would have if she were still an omnivore. We've tried a few vegetarian casseroles and dishes but this easy vegetarian white bean chili is definitely one of our favorites.
While I'm sure you could take your favorite white bean chili and simply leave out the chicken, you may want to try this white bean vegetarian chili. It's packed with lots of flavor and lots of textures thanks to two different types of beans, chopped bell pepper and onion, and sweet corn kernels.
The original recipe for this vegetarian white chili called for only white beans, but I wanted to mix things up a bit! I switched out some of the white beans for pinto beans and it was the best decision. For reals.
In fact, next time I make this easy vegetarian white bean chili, I may do a combination of Great Northern beans, pinto beans, and cannellini beans. Give me all the white beans!
Yes, pinto beans aren't technically white but they're light enough that they totally work. And the flavor is delish.
The recipe for this white bean vegetarian chili also calls for green bell pepper but I prefer red so that's what I used. I'm crazy like that!
If you don't have or can't find white chili seasoning (the package often reads "white chicken chili"), you can use a combination of spices including ground cloves, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. I've noted those amounts in the recipe. Also, make sure you use a solid stock pot like a Cuisinart 6-quart stock pot so you can both saute and simmer in it without worrying about burning your ingredients!
Easy Vegetarian White Bean Chili
Busy weeknights call for yummy recipes like this easy vegetarian white bean chili. Bell pepper, onion, and corn make it extra hearty!
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped red or green bell pepper
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 (15-ounce) cans Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chilies
- 2 (8-ounce) packages reduced-fat cream cheese
- 2 packages white chicken chili seasoning*
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 ½ cups chopped yellow or white onion
- 2 cups fresh or frozen corn
* Substitution for white chicken chili seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 4 tablespoons cumin
- 4 teaspoons garlic powder
Instructions
- Heat a bit of olive oil in a 6-quart stock pot. Saute the garlic, bell pepper, and onion for around 5 minutes or just until tender.
- Add vegetable broth, cream cheese, white chili seasoning (or substitute seasonings), and green chilies. Cook for around 10 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Add beans and corn and season with salt and pepper. Cook an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until ingredients are heated through. Serve topped with your favorite toppings (e.g., sour cream, avocado, shredded cheese, olives). Refrigerate leftovers for up to 1 week.
Notes
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 servingAmount Per Serving:Calories: 408Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 1664mgCarbohydrates: 55gFiber: 12gSugar: 10gProtein: 18g
Tisha
I could really go for a bowl of this right now! Sounds so yummy!
Emily Hill
It's absolutely delish!
Tara
Yum! This definitely looks perfect for weeknights. I love how you topped the chili with sour cream, cheese, and avocado.
Emily Hill
Those are the best toppings! :)
Katherine Hackworthy
I love bean dishes, and this is a great way of spicing things up a little to make a tasty dish. Great meal for weekdays, and full of yummy ingredients.
Emily Hill
Bean dishes are the best!
Sandi
We were planning chili next week so I hope to try this out! It looks yummy.
Emily Hill
I hope you like it if you do try it!
Jamielyn
This looks SO yummy and makes me excited for soup season!
Emily Hill
I know! I love chili during the colder months!
Heidy
This sounds perfect for all the rainy weather we have been having here in Florida.
Emily Hill
I was just in Florida and it was SO rainy!
Natalia
I love beans and the combination of beans with chili sounds great to me! Can't wait to try it out at the weekend. :)
Emily Hill
I hope you do! It's pretty yummy!
tanya
Chili is one of my favorite meals, I eat all year round! Love this white vegetarian version!
Emily Hill
I hope you try it! It's so good!
Gabriela Crosby
Just made this for the first time and it’s a hit in my home!!
Emily Hill
Awesome! I'm so glad you liked it!!!
Matthew Snyder
I have made another vegetarian white chili with homemade seasoning (same amounts as yours) and found that the chili just tastes like heat and cumin. I mean 4T of cumin is a lot!!! Do you really use that much?
Emily Hill
A lot of times if my kids are going to be eating it, I will cut the cumin in half. Feel free to start with a tablespoon and see what you think!