I have been wanting to do a tempeh chili for a while now, and with the temperatures steadily on the decline here in So Cal it’s the perfect time of year to bring out the chili recipes.
Tempeh makes for a great addition to any chili giving it an extra hearty feel and enhancing the protein & fiber content. With almost 20 grams of protein per 100 grams (about 3.5 oz.) of tempeh, along with protein rich beans and you’ve got yourself a great high protein chili to keep you feeling full while meeting your daily protein requirements easily.
Since trying to incorporate an extra dose of protein into my diet lately, without having to use protein powders, this chili has been on my weekly rotation.
After playing around with the recipe a bit, I decided to keep it fairly simple. Please do note that tempeh is a soy product, and although it is a ‘good’ soy product for you, unlike some, it is best in moderation – once or twice a week is fine.
Now it’s your turn – gather your ingredients and make yourself a bowl of chili that will warm you up and keep you feeling great!
I did include a bottle of dark beer and loved the depth and flavor it added. This Negra Modelo is perfect for cooking with and it’s vegan friendly! This can be optional but well worth the added flavor, it rounds out the chili beautifully making it one of the best chili’s I’ve ever had.
You could also try a chocolate stout like Boatswain Chocolate Stout which is also vegan friendly. Whatever liquids you choose just be sure it equals about 2 cups.
The alcohol will for the most part burn off while simmering, leaving the delicate characteristics behind. If your looking to minimize the alcohol content, take a look at the Alcohol Burn Off Rate Chart to find how long you should simmer your chili. If you’ve never made chili with beer before I recommend trying it, at least once!
THE ULTIMATE TEMPEH CHILI
An easy one pot meal that’s hearty, protein packed and my favorite chili recipe to date. Give it a try and let me know what you think!
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4 generously
- Category: Entree
- Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz. package tempeh (I used this three grain tempeh), crumbled
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 large cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or 1/4 cup water, for sauteing
- 1 can (15 oz.) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz.) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (28 oz.) diced fire roasted tomatoes and juices or 3 cups fresh diced tomatoes
- 1 can (4 oz.) diced mild green chilies or 1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon garlic powder, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder, optional
- Salt & freshly cracked pepper to taste
- 1 bottle dark beer (Negra Modelo 1 bottle = 1 1/2 cups) plus 1/2 cup additional water or 2 cups water
- scallions, for garnish
Instructions
In a large dutch oven or stock pot, heat your oil/water over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, spices and tempeh and cook for 5 minutes stirring frequently. Add beans, tomatoes, green chili/bell pepper and dark beer/water, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, partially cover and simmer for 1 hour.This would be fantastic with a dollop of this Basic Cashew Sour Cream or Lime-Cilantro Cashew ‘Sour Cream’. Serve with green onions and/or cilantro as well.
Also, pairs perfectly with this Sweet Chia Cornbread!
Serves 4 – 6
NOTES:
Mix the beans up however you like using all of one type or your favorite combination. If you would rather use only 2 cans of beans, that’s great too! I like adding more ingredients as it makes the chili go further. If using your own cooked beans you’ll need about 4 1/2 cups.
Feel free to use 2 packages tempeh instead of just 1. At times I like the extra dose of protein the tempeh adds and will double the amount making for an extra hearty chili. So good!
For those who do not care for the taste of tempeh, I recommend making this a day ahead so the flavors really meld into the tempeh masking most of its natural flavor. Or try using the three grain tempeh as its flavor is not as strong.
If you find you added too much heat from the chipotle, try adding a teaspoon or so of cocoa/cacao powder or organic sugar.
