My dad used to make the best chili around and gave it to all the neighbors and they loved him for it. About a year before he died, he showed me his secret recipe for “Big Paul’s Chili”. It was always ever changing since he loved to experiment with different ingredients and finally he had made it vegan! Since then I’ve brought it here and there and it’s won awards for “Best Vegetarian Chili” and has been loved by many. This recipe makes a large pot that will feed a big family for a couple of days.
Spicy Factor
2 out of 5 peppers (mild/medium)
Ingredients
3 bell peppers, chopped (yellow, red, orange, or green)
2 medium onions, finely chopped
2 carrots, chopped
3 celery ribs, chopped
2 jalepeno peppers, minced
8 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
6 garlic cloves (or half a bulb), minced
1/4 cup maple syrup (or brown sugar)
5 (1 1/4 ounce) packets McCormick Chili Seasoning
2 T chili powder
1 tsp black pepper
1 T molasses
4 (15 1/2 ounce) cans dark red kidney beans
1 (15 1/2 ounce) can black beans
2 (6 ounce) cans black olives, sliced in half
2 T lemon juice (or juice of 1 small lemon)
1 package Smart Ground Soy Crumbles (optional)
Garnish
green onions, chopped
crackers
Directions
1) In a large pot over medium-high heat put about half a cup of water, onions, carrots, celery, and bell peppers and cook stirring occasionally until slightly soft for about 15 minutes.
2) Add cans of tomato sauce, crushed tomato, garlic, chili seasoning, chili powder, black pepper, maple syrup or brown sugar, molasses, and stir until all ingredients are mixed well and have heated up.
3) Reduce heat to medium, add kidney beans, black beans, black olives, and optional Smart Ground Crumbles. Simmer for 30 minutes to an hour uncovered, stirring occasionally to heat through.
4) Add lemon juice and stir through.
5) Serve with an optional garnish of green onions and crackers or crisp French bread. Enjoy!
Tags: vegan chili recipes
[…] to cut down on my meat consumption, I’m loving the Adventurous Vegan’s recipe for Big Paul’s Chili – because yes, Vegans can have fun in the kitchen […]
Thanks! Yep, vegans can definitely have some fun in the kitchen. Hope you had a good Superbowl!
I randomly came upon this recipe while I was browsing the Internet. It is cooking on my stove as we speak and will be entered into a competition at my work tomorrow. It is smelling great!
GREAT Chili!!!!
Thank you very much for recipe.
I made this tonight followed the recipient exactly. But added Gimme Lean Sausage flavored and not the soy crumbles bit is FANTASTIC chili. Thanks for posting this!
This seems pretty basic, but man it is excellent. I add about 20 large cloves of garlic, pressure cook my own dried beans beforehand, and just add more good chili powder instead of McCormick, but other than that the recipe stands. Love that there is zero oil in it, and it’s still absolutely delicious. A true vegan secret weapon! Thanks for posting this.
It doesn’t say when you add the jalapeno pepper….
Recipe looks great. I won’t use the chili packet by McCormick because it had wheat flour in it and I have to eat gluten free. I also had trouble finding soy crumbles without wheat. I purchased veggie burgers that were gluten free and more expensive than the soy crumbles! I will add some corn for sweetness and fresh tomatoes. Will try out the recipe in my crockpot at an event with about 40 friends. I believe mine will be the only vegan style. Thanks for the recipe it looks great! Oh and I need to eat dairy free too!
This is the second time I’ve made this recipe for friends and acquaintances who are non-vegan. They all loved it and it’s a great recipe. I also add a carton of organic vegetarian broth. I also add 1 tablespoon of Dr. Fuhrman’s Matozest. And serve it with Daiya cheddar cheese substitute.
Thank you for this recipe!
This is the best vegan chili I’ve ever had.AMAZING!!!!
I halved the recipe.
I just finished making your chili recipe and tried a couple bites . It is absolutely delicious! We are having a chili cookoff at our church tomorrow. I actually think I could win even though this will probably be the only vegan chili there . Thank you so much for a wonderful recipe !