If you’re a vegetarian living with an omnivore, you know how exhausting it is to come up with dinner ideas that please everyone; the struggle is REAL. Getting an omnivore to enjoy a vegetarian pasta isn’t usually *too* much of a challenge though, and sometimes you can even sub pepperoni to get away with a colorful veggie pizza. However, when it comes to chili, meat lovers can hardly budge. To them, a chili without meat isn’t a chili at all. We know this isn’t true, and the best way to sway them is to serve up a bowl of one of these 15 hearty veg chilis on #MeatlessMonday.
1. Vegan Chili Con Carne: If you thought vegans had to miss out, think again. Vegan “meat” crumbles add a hearty texture to this bowl of chili goodness. Mixed with spices and a little dark chocolate, you’ll realize vegans are more culinary wizards enjoying healthy dishes than sad pandas who are missing out on flavor. (via Crazy Vegan Kitchen)
2. Butternut Squash Chili: When you think of chili, you think of having a pot simmering on the stove all afternoon. This chili, however, cooks for *only* 30 minutes. So if you’re in a pinch but still want to treat yourself to a comforting bowl of delish, make this ASAP. (via Savory Tooth)
3. Spicy Chili Verde With White Beans: A chili verde seems like a rare gem in the sea of red chili we find so easily on the Internet. This wholesome concoction offers a nice kick and a bit of a zing, thanks to freshly roasted tomatillos. (via Kitchen Treaty)
4. Sweet Potato Quinoa Chili: This fantastic one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights and rainy weekends alike. Made up of big sweet potato chunks, beans and quinoa, this chili is nutritious and hella delicious. (via Cook’s Hideout)
5. Lentil Chili: It wouldn’t be surprising to learn that lentils became a popular substitute for ground meat because of meatless chilis. The substantial pulse is filling and healthy, basically making this a perfect meal. (via Little Broken)
6. Chickpea Chile Verde: Tomatillos and chickpeas are simmered in a cumin-spiced base in this zesty vegan chile verde. Garnish your bowl with some sliced avocado, grab a bag of tortilla chips and go to town. (via Connoisseurus Veg)
7. Zucchini and Corn Chili: A great way to get rid of the last of your summer produce is to throw it into a tasty pot of chili, DUH. Zucchini and corn amp things up in this variation by creating a healthy and balanced meal for the whole fam. (via Prevention RD)
8. Spicy Vegan Chocolate Chili: Adding some cocoa to your chili will increase the yum factor like WHOA. This vegan chili doesn’t mess around; it’s jam-packed with flavors and texture, and could make any omnivore pass up on that ground beef stuff. (via Foolproof Living)
9. Spicy Vegan Tofu Chili With Sour Cream: It’s pretty much a guarantee that you won’t miss meat while digging into this fiery tofu chili. Complete with a dollop of cashew sour cream, a bowl of this will send you straight to comfort food heaven. (via Vegan Heaven)
10. Vegan White Bean Chili in a Pressure Cooker: To some, the pressure cooker is the most used and sacred appliance in their kitchen. And hey, when you can have a perfectly tender and flavorful chili like this one in just 35 minutes, there’s no questioning why. (via Holy Cow! Vegan Recipes)
11. Black Bean Chili: This chili is pure magic, folks. Liquid smoke brings added smokiness to this already spicy dish. To sweeten things up a tad, dates are thrown into the mix to offer a nice balance with their natural sugars. Brilliant! (via Discover Delicious)
12. Spicy Black Bean, Lentil and Sweet Potato Chili: It’s hard to believe that so many hearty and yummy ingredients can fit in just ONE bowl. This chili is great on its own or with chips, but it also goes *great* atop a bed of quinoa or brown rice. (via The Visiting Vegetable)
13. One-Pot Red Lentil Chili: This chili, though. It’s *so* many things: Hearty, smokey, full of flavor, semi-spicy, comforting, satisfying and healthy. To top it all off, it’s super easy to make and can be done in just ONE pot. (via Minimalist Baker)
14. One-Pot Quinoa Chili: This seasonal chili makes the transition from summer to fall easy with the inclusion of summer corn. Simmered in a spicy tomato sauce with beans and quinoa, this dish has the fullness that a true chili deserves. (via Connoisseurus Veg)
15. Slow Cooker Two Lentil Chili: Filled with veggies, two types of lentils and potatoes, this easy slow cooker chili is as robust and wholesome as it gets. The addition of black strap molasses adds a deep sweetness that will have you craving it all winter long. (via The Full Helping)