This thick and hearty vegan white chili is a great alternative to traditional-style chili and makes a satisfying, protein-rich dinner. Be sure to save some for the next day, though, because leftovers taste amazing! Gluten-free with an oil-free option. Ready in 45 minutes!
This vegan white chili is extra hearty, satisfying, and rich in protein thanks to the addition of soy curls or TVP (textured vegetable protein).
Another thing we love about this recipe is the flavor added by the green chiles and jalapeño. The level of spicy heat is easily adjusted by including the seeds from the jalapeños. You can also add a few dashes of cayenne pepper.
Plus it's pretty darn easy to prepare. Just chop and sauté a few veggies, then load everything in the pot and simmer for about 10 minutes. Vegan white chili can also be made in the Instant Pot!
I've included instructions for both cooking methods in the recipe below, but the step-by-step photos specifically show the Instant Pot. Let's get to it!
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Ingredient Notes
The ingredient list may look long, but on the bright side, everything should be easy to find in any well-stocked grocery store.
*There are a couple of specialty ingredients you may want to order online if you don't already have them - soy curls and mushroom powder. Or simply use TVP instead of soy curls and omit the mushroom powder.
See the recipe card below for amounts and full instructions.
Fresh Produce:
- Onions - white or yellow
- Bell pepper
- Jalapeños
- Garlic
- Limes
Packaged Foods & Spices:
- Vegetable broth
- Cooked white beans (I used 1 can cannellini and 1 can great northern)
- Corn (canned or frozen)
- Canned green chiles
- Poultry seasoning
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Oregano
- Dried mushroom powder, optional (I used Trader Joe's umami blend)
- Liquid smoke, optional
- TVP (check the bulk bins) or soy curls (easiest to find online)
- Raw cashews (see substitutions below)
- Nutritional yeast, optional
Instructions
Whether you're cooking the chili in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop, the process begins essentially the same way.
- Sauté the onion for about 5 minutes. You can use oil here, or omit it for oil-free.
- Add bell pepper and garlic, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Next, add the jalapeños and spices, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add broth, green chiles, TVP or soy curls, corn, beans, salt and pepper.
- If cooking in the Instant Pot, just give everything a stir, lock on the lid, and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes. Then carefully quick release the pressure.
For the stovetop method, bring the soup to a simmer, and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. - While the chili cooks blend the cheesy cashew milk. When the chili is done, stir in the cashew milk, then let stand for 10 minutes.
Options for Adding Creaminess to Vegan White Chili
There are many ways to add creaminess to soups and chilis without using dairy. For this recipe I decided to go with homemade cashew milk. If you need a nut-free option, I've included a few ideas below and in the Notes section of the recipe.
To make the cheesy cashew milk:
While the chili cooks, blend raw cashews and water. Add salt, nutritional yeast, and lime juice (or rice vinegar) for tang. *If you don't have a high-speed blender like a Vitamix, you'll first need to soak the cashews in hot water for about 1 hour.
Cashews make the chili nice and creamy, add a small amount of fat to make it more filling, and act as a substitute for cream cheese, which is usually added to traditional white chili recipes.
Nut-Free Options
Coconut Milk
If you prefer not to use cashews to create a creamy white chili, you may substitute 1 cup full-fat coconut milk (the canned variety, not refrigerated).
Arrowroot
Another option is to whisk 2 tablespoons of arrowroot starch into 1 cup of unsweetened soy milk. Heat this briefly in a small saucepan until thickened, then whisk into the finished chili. Adjust salt and lime juice, as desired.
Flour
You can also thicken the soup by combining ¼ cup all-purpose flour with plain, unsweetened milk. Whisk this into the pot just before adding the broth. The flour will thicken the soup as it simmers.
RELATED: if you enjoy Instant Pot soup recipes, don't miss this Lentil Cabbage Soup.
Storage
Just like any other soup or chili, the flavor of white chili gets even better overnight, making it perfect for meal prep. Leftover chili can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
White bean chili can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Just make sure the chili is completely cool before transferring to a freezer-safe container, and don't fill the container too full. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove or in a microwave.
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📖 Recipe
Vegan White Chili (Instant Pot or Stovetop)
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil, optional - Omit or sub broth for oil-free.
- 2 medium onions, chopped
- 1 large green bell pepper, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large jalapenos, stems and seeds removed, diced - Or keep some of the seeds for extra heat!
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon mushroom powder blend, such as Trader Joe's umami seasoning - Or sub powdered dried mushroom + a pinch of salt.
- ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles
- 1 ⅓ cups TVP (textured vegetable protein) or 2 cups crumbled soy curls - Use your hands to break soy curls into smaller pieces.
- 2 (15 oz) cans white beans, such as cannellini or great northern, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups corn kernels, thawed if using frozen
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- black pepper
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon liquid smoke, optional
Cheesy cashew milk:
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup raw cashews or ¼ cup raw cashew butter - See Step 1.
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast, optional
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons lime juice or rice vinegar
Optional garnishes:
- fresh lime juice
- cilantro
- diced avocado
- pico de gallo
Instructions
- First, if not using a high-speed blender, soak the cashews in very hot water for about 1 hour. Drain and set aside until ready to make the cashew milk. Alternatively, use cashew butter to make the milk.
Instant Pot Instructions:
- In a 6 quart or larger Instant Pot, add the oil, if using, to the insert and turn on the saute function. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the bell pepper and garlic. Stirring frequently, cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the jalapenos, cumin, chili powder, mushroom powder, poultry seasoning, and oregano. Stir and cook for about 1 minute.
- Add the vegetable broth, green chiles, TVP or soy curls, beans, corn, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine, then lock on the Instant Pot lid. Make sure the valve is set to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
- While the chili cooks, make the cashew milk. Combine water and cashews in a blender. Blend on high speed until smooth. Add nutritional yeast, if using, salt, and lime or vinegar. Blend again to combine.
- When the Instant Pot beeps and the 4 minutes at high pressure are complete, carefully quick release the pressure, and remove the lid. Stir the cashew milk into the chili. Let rest for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings adding lime juice, salt and pepper, and/or liquid smoke, if desired. The chili will thicken as it sits.
Stovetop Instructions:
- Preheat a stock pot over medium heat. Add oil, if using, and onion. Saute for about 5 minutes or until onion is translucent.
- Add the bell pepper and garlic and, stirring frequently, cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the jalapenos, cumin, chili powder, mushroom powder, poultry seasoning, and oregano. Stir and cook for about 1 minute.
- Add the vegetable broth, green chiles, TVP or soy curls, beans, corn, salt, and pepper. Stir and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes to soften the vegetables and allow the flavors to mingle.
- While the chili simmers, make the cashew milk by combining water and cashews in a blender. Blend on high speed until smooth. Add nutritional yeast, if using, salt, and lime or vinegar. Blend again to combine.
- Stir cashew milk into the chili. Taste and adjust seasonings adding lime juice, salt and pepper, and/or liquid smoke, if desired. Let rest for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The chili will thicken as it sits.
Notes
Nut Free Options
If you prefer to not to use cashews to thicken the chili, you may substitute 1 cup of full-fat canned coconut milk. Another option is to whisk 2 tablespoons of arrowroot starch into 1 cup of unsweetened soy milk. Heat this briefly in a small saucepan until thickened, then whisk into the finished chili. Adjust salt and lime juice (for tanginess) as desired. You can also thicken the soup by combining ¼ cup all-purpose flour with plain, unsweetened milk. Whisk this into the pot just before adding the broth. The flour will thicken the soup as it simmers.Storage
Leftover chili can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 2 months.Estimated Nutrition (per serving)
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific products and ingredients used. We calculate this information using the online calculator cronometer.com.
Marcia
Worked out beautifully. Used soy curls and all the peppers. Stovetop method. Nice cross between chili and corn chowder. 🙂
Ashley
Oh my god, this was so amazing! I am an absolute wuss about spiciness, so I was hesitant about the chiles and jalapeño, but it was perfect. Amazing flavor but nowhere near an overwhelming amount of heat. I used coconut milk instead of the cashew cream, added nutritional yeast, and a bit of vegan sour cream. And for the meat I used the Morningstar Farms Chicken Strips. Best chili I've ever had!
Lori
Such awesome feedback, Ashley. Thank you for taking a moment to let us know! Love the addition of the vegan chicken strips. Yum!
Grace
could I cook this in my slowcooker? thanks
Grace
Lori
Hi Grace, I'm sure you can. I haven't made this one in a slow cooker yet, but I suspect a few hours on high should do the trick. Let us know if you give it a try!
Bob in Tennessee
This came out great! I used the Instant Pot version. Love your recipes!
Lori
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Bob. Thank you!
Karen Becker
So yummy and now I have mushroom powder in my spice cabinet. Thank you for great recipe.
Debra Ledsham
Turned out very well!! Loved it! I did use my go-to chili spice combo, though- 3 T. Chili powder, 1 T cumin, 1 T coriander, 2 t paprika, 1 T oregano and I added mushrooms because I didn’t have any mushroom powder.
Definitely a keeper!