This delicious and healthy vegetarian bean chilli recipe is a staple dinner ready in under 30 minutes. It's versatile, packed with protein and fibre, and a great family dinner made in just one pot. It's one of our all-time family favourite recipes that I'm so glad to be sharing with you!

I make this bean chilli recipe for my toddler and I all the time, and she's probably its biggest fan! If you would prefer a chilli recipe that uses a meat substitute, try this vegan chilli recipe. You might also like these simple Mexican black beans for placing in burritos or tacos.

I love to serve my bean chilli with sour cream, avocado, and pitta bread pockets (it's how my mum always served it!). It would be delicious with this creamy jalapeno sauce, alongside some spicy rice, or with tortilla chips to dip.

Ingredient Notes

Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the full ingredient quantities and instructions. Below, I've provided some notes on the ingredients you'll need and potential substitutions.

• Beans:  This recipe used a 3 bean blend of black beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans. I buy the kidney beans which come in a chilli sauce (labelled as chilli beans) - these make a fantastic addition to a bean chilli, giving it an extra boost of flavour. You could use plain kidney beans if you can't find them, though.
  
• Onion, Carrot, & Pepper: For vegetables, I add diced carrot and red pepper alongside grated carrot (to ensure it softens when cooking!). You could also add green peppers, corn, and even sweet potatoes to bulk up the vegetable content.
  
• Garlic: A couple of cloves of garlic, minced, also boost the flavours of your bean chilli.
  
• Tomato paste & tinned chopped tomatoes: To make the rich, hearty sauce for the bean chilli, I use tomato paste and tinned diced tomatoes. You could also use whole plum tomatoes, crushed with your spoon, or passata for a smoother sauce.
  
• Chipotle paste: Adding in some smoky chipotle paste is always a good idea for a flavour-packed bean chilli! If you want a milder tasting chilli, feel free to omit these.
  
• Herbs and spices: We use a simple blend of smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, and cumin for this bean chilli. For more spice, you could also add some chilli powder.

How To Make This Bean Chilli Recipe

Below are some process shots of making your bean chilli - make sure you scroll down to the recipe card to see the exact ingredient quantities required!

Step 1) Saute the Vegetables

Add the diced onion, pepper, and grated carrot to a large pan with some oil and saute for a good five to seven minutes, stirring often. We want the vegetables to be soft and the onions translucent before you begin adding flavour and the sauce ingredients, so take your time with this step.

Step 2) Add Flavourings

Add your tomato paste, chipotle paste, and the seasonings and spices to your pan and stir them in. Then, add your tinned diced tomatoes and about half a can of water and let the sauce simmer.

We add the beans last because they don't need long to warm through (and can turn a little mushy if you cook them for too long!).

Step 3) Add the Beans

Finally, add your black beans, pinto beans, and chilli kidney beans and stir them into the sauce. Simmer your bean chilli for 5 - 10 minutes until thick, warm, and delicious! Season to taste and serve.

Substitutions and swaps: what beans to use in a mixed bean chilli?

This 3 bean chilli recipe uses pinto beans, black beans, and kidney beans. However, I tend to just use whatever I have in the cupboard, which can differ from week to week!

Other beans/pulses that could work great include:

• Butter beans
• Cannellini beans
• Haricot beans
• Black-eyed beans
• Chickpeas
• Green lentils

Aside from the beans factor, here are a few substitutions/swaps and adaptations that work great with this veggie chilli - I told you it's versatile!

• Add in chopped celery and red pepper for an extra boost of vegetables
• Add chilli powder or more chipotle paste to add extra heat to the chilli - this is something I omit because I regularly share this meal with my toddler, but I add chipotle paste when cooking purely for adults!
• Try adding a square of dark chocolate to your chilli to give it an extra depth of flavour
• Add in some vegan mince crumbles for added protein (you might also like this homemade vegan chilli recipe or Quorn chilli recipe which uses vegan mince)

What should I serve with a bean chilli?

My preferred way of serving this wholesome mixed bean chilli is with a squeeze of lime, slices of creamy avocado, and[pitta breads!

Of course, chilli is such a versatile dish because you can serve it in so many different ways. Other ways you could serve this chilli or dishes you could pair it with include:

• Served with wholegrain rice and vegan sour cream or salsa
• On some skillet nachos with heaps of cheese, jalapenos, and all the toppings!
• In wraps to make burritos or enchiladas
• With homemade chips or wedges for your own take on dirty fries with a creamy cheese sauce
• Paired with crunchy potato tots or rostis and creamy avocado sauce
• As it is, with soft cornbread on the side
• Have it with fajita vegetables (you could also make these vegetarian chicken fajitas to go as a side!)

FAQs