Best Vegan Green Chili Soup Recipe

This post is all about the best vegan chili recipe. 

When I’m craving something cozy and comforting that has a little kick, this vegan green chili soup is always my go-to! It’s the perfect mix of hearty rice and beans, with a burst of fresh flavor from the jalapeños and lime that sets it apart from your usual veggie soup.

This isn’t your basic bean-and-vegetable soup recipe, it’s one of those weeknight dinners that you won’t dread reheating. Just toss everything into the crock pot, and you’ve got a flavorful, filling meal that also freezes beautifully.

Meal-prepping soup can sometimes feel repetitive, but this one keeps things interesting. Take 20 minutes at the start of the week, and you’ll be so glad to have this ready to reheat on your busiest nights.

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Vegan green chili stew

This recipe is perfect for anyone who wants a healthy yet filling vegan dinner!

Of course, you don’t have to be vegan to enjoy this and I honestly believe that the flavors are strong enough to be enjoyed by anyone regardless of diet preferences! 

This green chili soup is perfect for: 

• Throwing together as a quick one-pot meal 
• Busy weeknight dinner ideas
• Anyone curious about plant-based recipes 
• A meal prep freezer meal you will look forward to! 

Authentic green chile recipe history

Green chili has deep roots in Southwestern cuisine, especially in New Mexico and Colorado. It’s a beloved staple with many regional variations! Traditional green chili recipes usually have slow-cooked pork or chicken and fresh roasted Hatch or Anaheim chiles. 

There are a few different styles of green chili from a thick, gravy-like stew found in Colorado to more brothy soups found in New Mexico. 

The recipe in this post is my veganized, simplified take on green chili soup. I  designed it for those hectic weeknights when you need a one-pot meal that is filling but not boring.

This recipe uses canned beans, diced tomatoes, and salsa verde from a jar to help keep things quick and convenient without sacrificing that comforting, flavorful feel that authentic green chili recipes have! 

If you have the time, experiment with making this recipe from scratch by roasting and slow cooking included but for now, I’ll share a version you can whip up on your busiest weeknights! 

Simple vegan green chili recipe ingredients 

Onion: Try to use a fresh onion if possible but onion powder is always a great option as well. You will still get the flavor but of course less texture compared to if you used diced onion. 

Cannelli beans: I love that white beans don’t have a super strong beanish flavor and they can kind of hide in soup recipes. I haven’t tried it but I think garbanzo beans or pinto beans would be a decent alternative if you don’t have white beans on hand. 

Diced tomatoes with jalapeno and cilantro: This can was a great find! You can find it here or you can use diced tomatoes and add in some jalapeno and cilantro later. Jalapeno and cilantro are not always crowd pleasers so having a base of diced tomatoes and then adding in the extra flavor enhancers if you enjoy those ingredients! 

White rice: You can easily swap out the white rice for brown rice or even quinoa. I just like that the rice makes the soup a bit more filling. Originally I made this recipe with a full cup of rice and it was more of a stew but just use half of that to get a light soup-like consistency. 

Vegetable broth: Squeeze in a few more vegetables with a classic base of veggie broth. Many original green chili soup recipes call for pork or chicken so you could always buy a vegan chick broth if you want to really mimic an authentic green chili recipe. 

Salsa verde: If you have the time, homemade salsa verde would really take this recipe up a notch but I have found that a jar of it is easy enough and still tastes incredible. 

Cumin: Cumin really brings in that warm and earthy flavor. It is sort of a base to balance out the tangy lime and sharp jalapeño. 

Garlic powder: If you have fresh garlic, use that! I just wanted this recipe to be as easy as possible so I created it with garlic powder. 

Olive oil: Most of the recipes I create just have to have olive oil. I love to use it to get the onions and spices prepped and I think it ties this soup together perfectly. You can leave it out and it won’t affect the soup at all or swap it with avocado oil if that’s what you have on hand. 

Lime juice: Lime reminds me of light summery recipes but having it in this hearty soup recipe is a really great tangy twist. It levels up the generic rice and beans and this recipe wouldn’t be the same without it. If you don’t have lime on hand, lemon is a perfectly fine substitute. 

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Salt: For a finishing touch, enhance all the flavors with as much salt as your heart desires. 

Jalapeno and cilantro: Again, if you can’t find the exact can of tomatoes I used, you can easily substitute it with jalapeno and lime to your desired preference. This recipe is made at a medium heat level but by all means, spice it up with some extra jalapeño if you would like! If you’re really in a pinch, chili powder, and hot sauce can be swapped in for a bit of spice as well.

Your favorite toppings: nutritional yeast, vegan sour cream, or vegan cheese

*I tossed these ingredients onto my stove but this recipe is perfect for slow cookers as well

One pot vegan chili FAQ 

What to serve with green chili

If you want a bit more to really round out your green chili, I suggest serving it will a tomato and avocado salad, some corn tortillas or even swapping out the rice for some potatoes.

This is a pretty hardy meal but it can be nice to dip your tortillas in the soup or use tortilla chips to scoop it if it ends up being a stew-like consistency. 

How long does green chili last in the fridge

Your green chili soup can last 3-4 days in the fridge and about 2 months in the freezer. Just make sure it is an airtight container.

These are some of my favorite containers for storing leftovers. They’re glass and air-tight which I find especially important when I am storing hot soup.

Make sure it cools down before putting it in the fridge or freezer of course!

Vegan green chili chicken soup and Vegan pork green chili meat alternatives 

I was really happy with cannellini beans in this recipe but if you want to truly mimic an authentic green chili soup, you can always add in some of these plant-based protein options: 

• Shredded Oyster Mushrooms or King Oyster Mushrooms
• Jackfruit 
• Soy Curls 
• TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein)
• Seitan or Store-Bought Vegan Chicken

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Vegetarian green chili recipe

A vegetarian green chili recipe will include plenty of beans, rice, and vegetables, just like this recipe. This vegan chili recipe is of course vegetarian as well.  

Green chili vs jalapeno

Green chiles and jalapeños are both green, but they’re pretty different when it comes to flavor and heat level. 

Green chiles (like Hatch or Anaheim) are generally milder and have a smoky, earthy vibe especially when they’re roasted. 

Jalapeños have more of a spice to them. They even have a bit of a fresh and punchy flavor. 

Green chilies can hang in the background while jalapeños end up being the star of the show in many dishes. 

Green chili vs red chili

Surprisingly, green and red chiles actually come from the same plant! 

The difference is simply ripeness. Green chiles are picked early and have that bold, slightly bitter flavor. Red chiles on the other hand are left to ripen longer, so they’re sweeter and deeper in flavor. 

You’ve probably seen red chiles dried and ground into powder, while green chiles are roasted and used fresh or frozen for the most part.

Serrano pepper vs green chili

The main difference between serrano peppers and green chili peppers is the heat! 

 Serranos are way spicier and have a much sharper bite. 

Green chiles are larger, milder, and more mellow in flavor. This makes them perfect for soups and stews like this one! 

Anything unique you enjoy adding to your green chili recipes? Let us know in the comments below!

Stay well, 

Maggie 

This post was all about the best vegan green chili recipe.

Other plant-based recipes you may like: 

Refreshing 3 Ingredient Banana Ice Cream Recipe

Creamy Vegan Cilantro Lime Crema Recipe You’ll Be Obsessed With

Best Homemade Dill Pickle Popcorn Recipe You’ll Be Obsessed With

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