I’ll be honest, I wasn’t psyched to taste 17 cans of vegetarian chili. But I did it. And, it turns out, I might actually like canned vegetarian chili more than I like meaty canned chili—at least when it’s the best vegetarian chili.
I’m a bean-in-chili person (sorry, Texas) and the best canned vegetarian chili really puts a lot of heart and soul into the beans. Sure, some of the vegetarian chili I tried was lackluster and boring—some was overly sweet, some was too salty. But four cans turned out to be really good vegetarian chili. I found a hearty vegetarian chili packed with multiple types of beans, a rich, smoky black bean vegetarian chili, a tofu-laced vegetarian chili, and even a faux meat plant based chili, perfect for vegetarian chili fries. Sadly, I was unable to find a vegetarian white bean chili that passed muster. I tried, really. I love white bean chili! But I really can’t recommend any of the vegetarian white bean chili I tasted. Sorry, fellow white bean buds. I’ll keep looking. But until then, here’s the best canned vegetarian chili I found.
- Amy’s Medium Organic Chili
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Made with red beans and tofu crumbles, this extremely vegetarian bean chili looks unappetizing as heck, but just shut your eyes and take a bite. The tofu crumbles add meaty texture, the beans add a nutty sweetness, and the seasoning is extremely savory. If you want that meaty quality without faux meat (or real meat, for that matter), this is the best vegetarian chili to stock up on. And, if you’re looking for a spicy version, just add some hot sauce. Amy’s Spicy vegetarian chili didn’t rank for a reason.
Credit: Merc / Ralphs
- Amy’s Organic Black Bean Chili
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What’s the difference between black bean soup and this can of vegetarian chili? This is much heartier thanks to the whole black beans. But if you like the taste of black bean soup, you’ll still get that smoky flavor with a touch of tang. Eating this vegetarian bean chili feels wholesome and cozy. Pair it with a thick hunk of toasted sourdough or scoop it up with some sturdy tortilla chips.
Credit: Merc / Walmart
- Gardein Plant Based Chili with Beans
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If you’re looking for a really meaty vegetarian chili, this is the best vegetarian chili around. It goes heavy on the fake meat chunks, but there’s still a good amount of beans in the mix, too. And with 32g of protein, it really will fill you up. It’s creamy and smoky and super savory. Personally, this is my canned vegetarian chili of choice for veggie-friendly chili fries or a vegetarian chili dog—just add one of our picks for the best vegan hot dog. Yes, it does look a little like dog food, but so does most chili, right? Once again, just close your eyes and enjoy.
Credit: Merc / Vons
- Sprague Plant Based Triple Bean Chili
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The best canned vegetarian chili of them all is also the best vegetarian chili for bean lovers. It’s got triple the bean! We’re talking red beans, black beans, and (the bean that really puts it over the edge) chickpeas! This is a seriously hearty vegetarian chili. The beans are all perfectly creamy and rich. The broth is tomatoey with the tiniest hint of heat. And there’s some complex seasoning, too. Did I detect some cinnamon in the mix? According to the ingredients, this can of vegetarian chili also contains zucchini, peppers, hemp seeds, chia seeds, avocado, and amaranth. That’s a lot of wholesome stuff packed into one can. And yet, it doesn’t taste like you’re eating health food. It’s some of the best vegetarian chili out there—can or no. Need extra proof? Even my toddler loved it. Congratulations, Sprague, your vegetarian bean chili is three-year-old approved.
Credit: Merc / Walmart
Best with Tofu
Best Black Bean
Best with Fake Meat
Best of the Best
Other canned vegetarian chili we tried: Hormel Plant Based Chili, Pacific Plant-Based Chili, Stagg Four-Bean Chili, Sprague White Bean Chili, Hormel Vegetarian Chili with Beans, Amy’s Spicy Chili, Unmeat Chili, Amy’s Medium Chili with Vegetables, Pacific White Bean Chili, Plantstrong White Bean, Plantstrong Firehouse Chili, Good Bean Low Carb Chili, Kitchen & Love Jackfruit Chili
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!