Cookin' Canuck | Smoky Black Bean & Corn Vegetarian Chili Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 42 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

This hearty vegetarian recipe is packed with black beans and corn, and has a fantastic smoky flavor, courtesy of the chipotle peppers.
Cookin' Canuck | Smoky Black Bean & Corn Vegetarian Chili Recipe (1)

There are not many naturally-occurring black food items that I am comfortable serving to my family. Typically, when a long-forgotten item at the back of the fridge turns black, I am ceremoniously dump it into the garbage can, nose plugged and face screwed up into an unattractive mask. We did take a shot at growing Black Krim heirloom tomatoes this year (which are not really black), but when you pack your garden bed as full as a Tokyo subway at rush hour, there are going to be some casualties amidst the fight for sunlight and water. In our kitchen, black beans rose to the top of the black food pecking order with ease. My youngest son's favorite lunch is a simple black bean, cheese, and cilantro burrito. Given that he gets a healthy dose of protein and fiber from the beans, I am more than happy to oblige a couple of days per week. Of course, black beans are not just relegated to the role of side dish or filler in Mexican dishes. They can be highlighted in salad, soup, chili, and dips.

Cookin' Canuck | Smoky Black Bean & Corn Vegetarian Chili Recipe (2)

When I found out that the babysitter taking care of my kids for a couple of days is vegetarian, I set out to find a great vegetarian chili recipe. I scoured the web, asked friends on Twitter, and poured over my cookbooks. While I found many fantastic options and now have a host of links from my friends' favorite recipes (thank you!), I decided to go with an option a little closer to home. Last fall, I made my Smoky Turkey Chili with Chipotle Peppers, and Black and White Beans for the first time. It was an instant hit with my family and readers. Instead of re-creating the wheel, I simply removed the turkey meat and white beans from that recipe, tripled the amount of blacks beans, substituted vegetable for chicken broth, and poured in a bag of frozen corn. The result was a smoky, hearty vegetarian chili with a kick.

The recipe:

Heat canola oil in a large, heavy pot set over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until tender and light brown, about 10 minutes. Add ground cumin and dried oregano.

Stir for 30 seconds, then add chopped garlic cloves. Stir for an additional 30 seconds. Increase heat to medium-high. Add chili powder, bay leaves, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, and cinnamon.

Cookin' Canuck | Smoky Black Bean & Corn Vegetarian Chili Recipe (3)

Chop tomatoes from a large can of whole tomatoes and add to the pot, along with the juices. Mix in tomato paste, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce (from the chipotle peppers can), and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove and discard bay leaves.

Drain and rinse black beans, and add to the chili, along with frozen corn. Simmer for an additional 20 minutes.

Ladle chili into bowl, and serve with sour cream and chopped cilantro.

Cookin' Canuck | Smoky Black Bean & Corn Vegetarian Chili Recipe (4)

Printable Recipe

Cookin' Canuck | Smoky Black Bean & Corn Vegetarian Chili Recipe (5)

Smoky Black Bean & Corn Vegetarian Chili Recipe

This hearty vegetarian recipe is packed with black beans and corn, and has a fantastic smoky flavor, courtesy of the chipotle peppers.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Entrees

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Vegetarian

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 Servings

Calories: 207kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat canola oil in a large, heavy pot set over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until tender and light brown, about 10 minutes. Add cumin and oregano. Stir for 30 seconds, then add garlic cloves. Stir for an additional 30 seconds. Increase heat to medium-high. Add chili powder, bay leaves, cocoa powder, salt, and cinnamon. Chop tomatoes and add to the pot, along with the juices. Mix in tomato paste, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove and discard bay leaves.

  • Add black beans and frozen corn kernels to the chili. Simmer for an additional 20 minutes.

  • Ladle chili into bowl, and serve with sour cream and chopped cilantro.

Nutrition

Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1838mg | Potassium: 779mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 565IU | Vitamin C: 16.7mg | Calcium: 107mg | Iron: 4.8mg

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

Cookin' Canuck | Smoky Black Bean & Corn Vegetarian Chili Recipe (6)

More Entrees

  • Twice-Baked Ground Turkey Potatoes
  • Poached Fish in Tomato Sauce
  • Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Bowl
  • Baked Herb Lemon Pork Chops

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Maren

    What a great vegetarian chili., so flavorful. I didn't follow the directions exactly, substituted pinto for black beans, and less onion than in the recipe. I threw a few chocolate chips in my bowl, and it reminded me of mole sauce.

    Reply

    • Dara

      Ha! I love the idea of adding a mole twist to it! I'm so glad you enjoyed the chili.

      Reply

« Older Comments

Cookin' Canuck | Smoky Black Bean & Corn Vegetarian Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can I use black beans instead of kidney beans in chili? ›

Kidney Beans are the classic chili bean, but I am not fond of their mealy texture, so I prefer using Black Beans. Northern White or Cannellini Beans go in my white chicken chili. Pinto Beans are another option to consider. A combination of beans also works.

What is the closest bean to a black bean? ›

Kidney beans have a similar texture to black beans and provide a creaminess to dishes. Their flavor is slightly different, but they make for a great substitute. Where to find it: You can get them canned or dried at. nearly any grocery store or find kidney beans on Amazon.

Can I use chickpeas instead of black beans? ›

Chickpeas have a mild flavor which makes them a good substitute for black beans in a wide variety of dishes- they can be used in tacos, soups, or in bean salads. They can also be pureed in to a smooth texture and used in baking.

What is a substitute for black bean sauce? ›

Hoisin sauce has that same profile, as does miso paste, oyster sauce, light soy sauce or ketchup manis.

What are the healthiest beans for chili? ›

Kidney beans are, in my opinion, the best for vegetarian chili. Raw beans, however, contain high amounts of phytohemagglutinin, meaning that if you purchase dried kidney beans, you must pre-soak and boil them before consumption. Canned beans, however, are pre-cooked and are perfectly fine to eat.

Do you drain black beans for chili? ›

Unless the recipe tells you to keep the canned beans in their liquid, you should drain your can and give the beans a good rinse before using. This will improve the flavor and texture of your finished dish.

Are black beans good for you? ›

The nutrition profile of black beans is impressive. Black beans are naturally gluten-free and vegan, and high in both protein and fiber. They are loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and have been linked to reductions in disease risk, according to a 2022 review in Nutrients.

What type of beans are Chinese black beans? ›

Chinese black beans are dried, black soybeans. Salt is used in the process of fermentation as a way to preserve them; so technically all of those names make sense. Use these in any recipe calling for fermented black beans, salted black beans or preserved black beans.

Is a turtle bean a black bean? ›

The black turtle bean is often simply called the black bean (frijoles negros, zaragoza, judía negra, poroto negro, caraota negra, or habichuela negra in Spanish; and feijão preto in Portuguese), although this terminology can cause confusion with at least three other types of black beans. Vitamin A equiv.

Which is healthier black beans or chickpeas? ›

Answer: All three beans, like other legumes, are great choices,supplying protein and dietary fiber as well as a variety ofvitamins and minerals. Black beans are slightly higher in fiberthan the other two choices and provide some extra magnesium, butgarbanzo beans (chickpeas) are a little higher in the B vitaminfolate.

Are black chickpeas healthier than normal chickpeas? ›

Surprisingly, this is something most people don't know but both the chickpeas have same nutrients present in them, but the amount of nutrients differ in both of them. Black chickpeas are slightly higher in protein and fibre than white chickpeas, and they also contain more iron, folate, and antioxidants.

What is a good substitute for canned chickpeas? ›

Perhaps the best substitute for chickpeas across the board is white beans. They have both a similar taste and look to chickpeas. Any white bean will do, including cannellini beans (white kidney beans), lima beans (butter beans), great northern beans, and navy beans.

Is hoisin sauce the same as black bean? ›

Is black bean sauce the same as hoisin sauce? To be sure, there are more similarities between these two sauces than differences. They're both salty, savory and slightly sweet fermented soybean condiments, but hoisin sauce is smooth like a thick paste and does have some distinctive characteristics.

Does black bean sauce contain chilli? ›

INGREDIENTS: Onions, Soybeans 9.4% (Blackbeans SOYA), Water, Garlic 5.5%, Ginger, Cane Sugar, Rice Flour, Spirit Vinegar(contains Sulphites), Rapeseed oil, GF Soy sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Spirit Vinegar), Chilli 1%, Sea Salt.

What does black bean chili sauce taste like? ›

Black bean sauce is an ancient fermented food that's been produced in China for centuries. Combining flavors of spicy, salty, sweet, and savory, this fermented black bean sauce will often include ginger, chiles, garlic, soy sauce, sugar, and spices. So we're talking big, big flavor.

What is a good substitute for beans in chili? ›

Replacing up to 2 cups chopped vegetables is a great choice and one of the best substitutes – Cauliflower florets, broccoli florets, bell pepper, white or portobello mushrooms, sweet peas or split peas, carrots, zucchini or butternut squash.

Do you need kidney beans for chili? ›

What type of beans does a traditional chili recipe use? Just as there are several variations of what is considered "real chili," this dish uses several bean varieties. Some popular options include kidney, black, pinto, cannellini, or canned beans.

Can you substitute black eyed peas for kidney beans in chili? ›

We've added a Southern twist by using black-eyed peas instead of traditional kidney beans. Black-eyed peas are a nutritional powerhouse packed with fiber, protein, and vitamins and they bring a creamy earthy flavor to your chili.

When to add canned beans to chili? ›

You know the saying, “save the best for last?” To keep your beans nice and plump, add them about 20 minutes before you finish cooking. This will give them plenty of time to impart that perfectly seasoned chili flavor to your recipe without overcooking.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Melvina Ondricka

Last Updated:

Views: 5719

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Melvina Ondricka

Birthday: 2000-12-23

Address: Suite 382 139 Shaniqua Locks, Paulaborough, UT 90498

Phone: +636383657021

Job: Dynamic Government Specialist

Hobby: Kite flying, Watching movies, Knitting, Model building, Reading, Wood carving, Paintball

Introduction: My name is Melvina Ondricka, I am a helpful, fancy, friendly, innocent, outstanding, courageous, thoughtful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.