Vegan White Bean Chili
on Oct 26, 2023, Updated Aug 02, 2024
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This easy vegan white bean chili is packed with flavour and easy to make in under 45 minutes for healthy weeknight meal.
With simple, wholesome, plant-based ingredients like white beans, potatoes, lime, and corn, combined with a blend of spices, this dish is comfort food at its finest.
This recipe is made on the stovetop though Instant Pot and slow cooker instructions are provided.
If you’re a chili fan, you’ll have to try this twist on classic white bean chili. Instead of the traditional kidney beans and bell peppers, this version features hearty potatoes and creamy white beans, infused with a subtle smoky flavor.
If you’re looking for a regular chili recipe, you can try my Easy Vegan Chili or Vegan 3 Bean Chili.
For more chili variations, this Chipotle Butternut Squash Chili with Black Beans, Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili and Slow Cooker Red Lentil Chili are yummy too.
Ingredients
- Onion: White or yellow onion are suggested but you could use red onion if that’s what you have.
- Jalapeno: Remove the seeds otherwise the chili will be very spicy. If you’re sensitive to spice you can substitute 1/2 of a green pepper. 1 small poblano pepper or 1/2 a large poblano pepper also works as a substitute.
- Potato: Yukon gold potatoes or any other yellow potatoes are recommended.
- Vegetable Broth: You can use any vegetable broth or vegetable stock such as carton, homemade, boullion or cubes.
- White Kidney Beans: White kidney beans, or cannellini beans are suggested but any white beans such as great northern beans, navy beans or lima beans would also work.
- Corn: Frozen corn is a convenient option but you could also use fresh corn or drained and rinsed canned corn.
This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.
Variations & Additions
- Topping Ideas: Sour cream, avocado, vegan cheddar cheese, salsa or salsa verde, lime juice and zest, black pepper, jalapeños, green onion, crushed tortilla chips.
- Green Chili: For added flavor, you can add 1 4oz can of green chilies when you add the potatoes and broth.
- Cream Cheese: For extra creaminess, stir in 2-3 tbsp vegan cream cheese at the end.
- Butternut Squash: Substitute butternut squash for the potato for a variation on this recipe.
- Quinoa: Add 1/2 cup uncooked rinsed quinoa when you add the potato. You may need a little extra broth for this version, which can be stirred in as needed.
- Extra Veggies: Add up to 1 cup diced carrot, bell pepper and/or celery with the onion and garlic. To add greens, baby spinach or kale can be stirred in at the end.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. In a large pot over medium heat, saute the onion, garlic and jalapeno in the olive oil for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Step 2. Add all of the spices and sauté another few minutes, stirring frequently.
Step 3. Add the potatoes and vegetable broth and bring to simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes, uncovered, until the potatoes are starting
Step 4. Add the beans and simmer lightly for another 15 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
Step 5. Use a potato masher or immersion blender and mash or pulse 3-4 times to create texture and thicken the chili.
Step 6. Stir in the corn and fresh cilantro and remove from pot from the heat.
Step 7. Finish by stirring in the fresh lime juice, lime zest and fresh cracked black pepper.
Serve your chili right away with lime wedges, finely chopped green onions, avocado or any other favorite toppings you might enjoy.
Recipe FAQs
White beans include white beans great northern beans, navy beans, lima beans and cannellini beans. They’re all quite similar in taste, texture and nutrition, however, this recipe is best with cannellini beans, otherwise known as white kidney beans.
This one is! Most chili recipes make a healthy meal that’s high in protein and fibre, low in fat and relatively low in calories. It really depends what toppings you add!
Yes. To freeze white bean chili, let it cool then transfer to a freezer-safe container or heavy duty freezer bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge then reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
You can store leftover chili in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat in a pot on the stovetop or in individual servings in the microwave.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- For the best flavour, sauté onions, garlic and jalapeño in oil or broth stovetop until fragrant and softened, about 5 minutes. Add all the spices and cook another 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer to the crock pot and add everything else except for the corn, cilantro and lime.
- Cook over low heat for 3-4 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
- Stir in the corn, cilantro and lime. Season if needed and enjoy.
Instant Pot Instructions
- Use the saute function to saute the onion, garlic and jalapeno in the olive oil for about 5 minutes.
- Add everything except for the corn, cilantro, lime and pepper.
- Cook on high-pressure for 8 minutes then quick release the pressure.
- Carefully open the lid and stir in the corn, cilantro and lime.
Vegan White Bean Chili
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil, 30 ml
- 1 medium onion diced, 2 cups, 250 g
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (2 tbsp, 25 g)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (1 tbsp, 10 g)
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, optional
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 medium potato, peeled and diced (3 heaping cups, 525 g)
- 4 cups vegetable broth, 1000 ml
- 3 540 ml cans white kidney beans, drained and rinsed (about 7.5 cups)
- 2 cups frozen corn, 225 g
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 20 g
- zest and juice from 1 lime, approx. 1/8 cup lime juice and 1 tbsp zest
- fresh cracked black pepper, for serving
- finely chopped green onion, for serving
Instructions
- Cook Onion, Garlic and Jalapeno: In a large pot over medium heat, sauté onions, garlic and jalapeño in the olive oil until translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add Spices: Add cumin, paprika, thyme, oregano and chili flakes and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Add Potato and Broth: Add the potatoes and broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, uncovered, until the potatoes are fork tender.
- Add Beans: Add beans and continue to simmer lightly for 15-20 minutes.
- Mash: With a potato masher or immersion blender, pulse or mash potatoes and beans 3 or 4 times to create texture and thicken. You could also scoop 1-2 cups of the chili into a high-speed blender or food processor, blend briefly then pour back into the pot and give it a good stir to combine.
- Add Cilantro: Fold in corn and cilantro and turn off the heat.
- Add Lime: Finish chili by stirring in fresh lime juice, lime zest and fresh cracked black pepper. Serve hot with finely chopped green onions and avocado or any other toppings of choice.
Thanks for the recipe, Deryn. It’s got fantastic flavor! It took me a bit of time to do all the prep work, but it was well worth it in the end. I used the canned small white navy beans instead of the white kidney beans, as they were in our pantry. I think I would prefer using the smaller beans, though. I used our ‘boat motor’ to blend part of the soup to thicken it up a bit. I also used canned corn instead of frozen corn. This recipe is a keeper!
Sounds good! Thanks for trying it.
This is so delicious, I made mine in the instant pot. I used dried white beans that I had cooked while I was at work using the delay function to let them soak for 8 hrs then pressure cook 1 min( I used great northern beans that cook very fast) then when I got home I drained them and proceeded as written with extra salt to compensate for no salt in my beans or homemade broth. Also I added a chopped green bell pepper. I only cooked it for 3 minutes and added the beans back in after releasing pressure. Then the corn and lime. Topped with cilantro green onions and crispy tortilla strips I toasted on 425 in the oven. So so good!
Sounds delicious! Thanks for the great feedback on your adjustments.