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    Home » Family Style Dinners

    Creamy Vegan White Bean Chili

    Published: Feb 2, 2021 » Modified: Jan 13, 2022 » By: Kylie » This post may contain affiliate links. » 8 Comments

    5.8K shares
    Jump to Recipe

    This 30 minute vegan White Bean Chili is on a mission to prove that white chili can be filled with flavor and that vegan chili can be super hearty. It’s a quick meal for a busy weeknight or a simple meal prep recipe!

    Large white bowl filled with white bean chili topped with tortilla strips
    Table of Contents show
    1 You Will Love This
    2 Instructions
    3 Tips
    4 FAQ
    5 Easy Soup Recipes
    6 Recipe
    7 Vegan White Bean Chili

    You Will Love This

    • It’s bursting with flavor! If you (or your family) have ever been skeptical about white chili really measuring up, try this one. The blend of spices hits all the chili notes, cannellini beans add an earthy heartiness, the salsa verde kicks it up a notch, and a fresh lime tops it off. White chili does not have to be bland chili! If you're looking for other vegan chili recipes be sure to check out my Black Bean Chili, Three Bean Chili, or Vegan White Chickpea Chili.
    • It’s a hearty meatless meal! This vegetarian white bean chili more than makes up for the lack of chicken and will leave even your biggest eaters feeling satisfied. And a full serving of rich white beans means your family is still getting the protein they need.
    • It’s fast and simple! This easy white bean chili is on the table in 30 minutes or less, because it requires minimal prep. It all comes together in one pot, which means cleanup is a breeze as well! If you love 30-minute meals as much as I do, check out a few other family favorites like One-Pot Broccoli Cheese Soup, 30 Minute Vegan Black Bean Soup, or Creamy Vegan Tuscan Pasta.
    White marble counter top with ingredients to make white bean chili

    Instructions

    Saute onion and green pepper in a large pot over medium high heat. Add garlic, cumin, chili powder, and oregano and cook, stirring frequently for another minute.

    Large white pot filled with sauteed veggies garlic and spices

    Add a splash of vegetable broth and deglaze the bottom of the pot, scraping all the yummy bits off the bottom.

    Sauteed veggies for chili in a large white pot

    Add cannellini beans, corn, salsa verde, coconut milk, and vegetable broth along with a couple pinches of salt and pepper.

    Large white pot filled with ingredients to make white bean chili

    Stir to combine, then simmer. Stir in fresh lime juice and season to taste with salt and pepper.

    Large white pot filled with ingredients to make white bean chili

    Garnish with your favorite toppings - don't forget the homemade fried tortilla strips - and enjoy!

    Large white pot filled with white bean chili topped with tortilla strips

    Tips

    • For a thicker texture, try mashing or blending a portion of the soup. I tend to prefer a creamy broth in my white bean chili recipe, but white beans blend really easily with a high-speed blender or immersion blender so it's simple to make this soup thicker if you prefer.
    • Use whatever white beans you have on-hand! Great Northern beans are often used in white chili and are sometimes confused with cannellini beans. Cannellini beans and Great Northern beans are not technically the same legume, but they are pretty interchangeable. Cannellini beans are generally larger than Great Northern, with a hearty, earthy flavor and texture that does a bit better in chili.
    • Store leftovers or make ahead! Chili is always a good option for meal prep, because it stores so well. And/or leftovers make a great lunch later in the week. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for a week, or in the freezer for up to two months! Warm it on the stove with an extra pinch of salt when you’re ready to enjoy it again!
    Large white bowl filled with white bean chili topped with tortilla strips

    FAQ

    Are Great Northern beans the same as white chili beans?

    Great Northern beans are one type of white bean often used in white chili. u0022White chili beanu0022 is not a specific type of bean, but can refer to any white bean used in white chili. Some brands of canned beans refer to Great Northern beans as u0022white chili beansu0022, which is probably where the confusion comes from.

    What is white chili made of?

    White chili is generally made of chicken, white beans, corn, and green chiles. It is a lighter take on traditional chili, which gets its dark red color from spices, red beans, and tomatoes.

    How do you thicken white chili?

    There are a couple ways to thicken up your white chili. The first is to scoop part of the chili into a high speed blender or use an immersion blender to puree part of it. The second way is to make a simple cornstarch slurry. Mix equal parts cornstarch and cold water, making sure there are no chunks, and then stir it into your simmering chili. Let simmer for 10 more minutes, and you'll notice it thicken up. How much cornstarch? Start with 2 tablespoons and you can always make more slurry as needed.

    Easy Soup Recipes

    • The Best Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup
    • The Easiest Instant Pot Potato Soup
    • 30-Minute Sausage Tortellini Soup
    • Easy One-Pot Chicken Tortellini Soup

    Questions?
    Leave a comment below!
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    Leave a comment below!
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    Recipe

    Vegan White Bean Chili

    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 7 reviews

    This 30 minute Vegan White Bean Chili is on a mission to prove that white chili can be loaded with flavor and that vegan chili can be super hearty. It’s a quick meal for a busy weeknight or a simple meal prep recipe!

    • Author: Kylie
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 25 minutes
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 8 servings 1x
    • Category: Main Dish
    • Method: Stove Top
    • Cuisine: American
    • Diet: Vegan

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 yellow onion, diced
    • 1 green bell pepper, diced
    • 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
    • 1.5 tablespoons ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 3 (15 oz.) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
    • 1 (15 oz.) can corn, drained
    • 16 oz. salsa verde (green salsa)
    • 1 (13.5 oz.) full fat coconut milk
    • 2 cups vegetable broth
    • juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
    • Kosher salt
    • fresh cracked pepper

    Serve with:

    • tortilla strips
    • sour cream
    • crumbled cotija cheese
    • fresh chopped cilantro
    • sliced jalapeno
    • lime wedges

    Instructions

    1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat.
    2. Add onion and green pepper along with a couple large pinches of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently for 5 minutes.
    3. Add garlic, cumin, chili powder, and oregano and cook, stirring frequently for another minute.
    4. Add a splash of vegetable broth and deglaze the bottom of the pot, scraping all the yummy bits off the bottom.
    5. Add cannellini beans, corn, salsa verde, coconut milk, and vegetable broth along with a couple pinches of salt and pepper.
    6. Stir to combine, then bring to a simmer over medium high heat.
    7. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
    8. Stir in fresh lime juice and season to taste with salt and pepper.
    9. Garnish with your favorite toppings - don't forget the homemade fried tortilla strips - and enjoy!

    Equipment

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    Notes

    For a thicker texture, try mashing or blending a portion of the soup. I tend to prefer a creamy broth in my white bean chili recipe, but white beans blend really easily with a high speed blender or immersion blender so it's simple to make this soup thicker if you prefer.

    Use whatever white beans you have on-hand! Great Northern beans are often used in white chili, and are sometimes confused with cannellini beans. Cannellini beans and Great Northern beans are not technically the same legume, but they are pretty interchangeable. Cannellini beans are generally larger than Great Northern, with a hearty, earthy flavor and texture that does a bit better in chili.

    Store leftovers or make ahead! Chili is always a good option for meal prep, because it stores so well. And/or leftovers make a great lunch later in the week. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for a week, or in the freezer for up to two months! Warm it on the stove with an extra pinch of salt when you’re ready to enjoy it again!

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 361
    • Sugar: 6.5 g
    • Sodium: 1058 mg
    • Fat: 12.5 g
    • Saturated Fat: 8.5 g
    • Carbohydrates: 52 g
    • Fiber: 10.6 g
    • Protein: 15.2 g
    • Cholesterol: 0 mg

    Keywords: white bean chili recipe, vegetarian white bean chili, easy white bean chili

    « Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup - Vegetarian!
    Easy Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amanda E

      January 26, 2023 at 6:20 am

      Thank you for this amazing recipe. This chili stays in my frequent rotation. I love soups for packed lunches and this is a favorite all year round. The only modification is that I only put the juice of half the lime in, because the green salsa brand I'm using already has a lot of acidity.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Lisa

      December 28, 2022 at 6:51 pm

      Great white chili recipe that all my non vegan friends and family love also! On my regular rotation.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Theresa Dawson

      December 19, 2022 at 4:50 pm

      This was delicious and very healthy! My vegan husband approved! Thank you!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Mariah

      December 05, 2022 at 5:49 pm

      Welllllll I just won First Place in the Death Valley National Park Employee Annual Chili Cookoff using this recipe. I did add one extra can of PURÉED white beans because it seemed a bit thin. I doubled the seasonings. Thank you for getting me to The Gold!!!! I’m a winner!!!! 🏆🥇🏅🌟

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kylie

        December 06, 2022 at 8:55 am

        That is so awesome!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing and congratulations on your win!

        Reply
    5. Tracey

      November 06, 2022 at 1:12 pm

      Hello, I made your vegan white bean chili with a few modifications as I am following the low fodmap; I used garlic and shallot infused OV(1/2 of each), butter beans, Fody Salsa Verde, and the greens of green onions, but followed the rest of the ingredients, I really enjoyed this dish and even my son and his girlfriend liked it too. I was only going to make half cause I'm the only vegan in the family, but to my surprise I have a sm bowl of leftovers.(although I was a little bit piggy and had two bowls myself lol). Thank you for sharing I really enjoyed it and will be making it again,

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    6. Luke

      October 12, 2021 at 1:29 pm

      What a delicious soup! So quick and easy to make and I love that it all comes together in one pot! Thanks for such a great recipe 🙂

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Annie

        October 25, 2021 at 7:34 pm

        This is a very quick soup to make and is it ever flavourful! I had to have a bit of trust to put in a full container of salsa verde, but it worked out and added great flavour. I will definitely make this again.

        ★★★★★

        Reply

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    HELLO FROM THE MIDWEST - I'm Kylie and as a mom and blogger, I understand how hard it can be to get a wholesome dinner on the table at the end of a long day. Here at Midwest Foodie, I focus on sharing simple recipes that make it easy to feed your family real food.

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