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    Hummusapien » Recipes » Soups » Tofu Chili

    ★★★★★ from 6 reviews

    Tofu Chili

    Published Nov 23, 2015 · Modified May 4, 2022 · by Alexis Joseph · 50 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Hearty Tofu Chili is the ultimate comforting meal on chilly nights. Meaty and packed with plant protein and fiber!

    All the meaty meatless thangs there ever were are right here in this very chili.

    Vegan Mushroom Tofu Chili
    It's that time of year where we put everything in a pot and say "oh hi, here's dinner." And breakfast. And lunch. Everything becomes a one-pot-meal.

    Because no one wants to do dishes when it's thirty degrees outside. We want to sip coffee with cinnamon and chow down on sweet gingerbread nothings while things cook in one pot. While dishes don't pile up. While the counters clean themselves.

    I'm a huge tofu fan but never have I ever put the 'fu in chili. Why, you ask?

    Vegan Mushroom Tofu Chili

    I have no answer for you there. Tofu is magical in the way that it takes on the flavor of pretty much anything. It's basically an edible sponge. A high-protein, tasteless sponge. How appetizing does that sound right now? Raise your hand if you're thrilled to whip up a batch of meatless tasteless sponge chili.

    Meeee!

    But seriously. The combination of tofu and mushrooms and beans galore makes this chili one for the chili books. It's meaty without trying to be meaty. It's savory, umami, bold. It would be insanely delish atop cornbread. Or like jalapeño cornbread studded with roasted corn slathered in something...buttery.

    In order for tofu to not take on the stereotype of being a white mushy monster, you must press it. My go-to vehicle for pressing tofu is the EZ Tofu Press. It's been the best-selling tofu press on Amazon for the past three years, which is about how long I've been using it.

    Vegan Mushroom Tofu Chili

    Essentially the press efficiently removes the water from the tofu in 15 minutes or less, leaving that nice firm tofu that's ready to absorb all the flavors and take on the world! If you've ever tried pressing tofu using millions of paper towels or heavy cans and books which then proceed to fall on your toes, you'll appreciate this press even more. It costs $19.99 on Amazon, is easy to clean, and is also dishwasher safe. Dreamy!

     

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    bowl of chili

    Tofu Chili Recipe

    ★★★★★ 5 from 6 reviews
    • Author: Alexis Joseph | Hummusapien
    • Prep Time: 20 mins
    • Cook Time: 1 hour 20 mins
    • Total Time: 1 hour 50 mins
    • Yield: 6 servings 1x
    • Category: Main Meal
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: American
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    HeartyTofu Chili is the ultimate comforting meal on chilly nights. Super meaty and packed with 15 grams of plant protein!


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 lb extra firm tofu, drained and pressed
    • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 medium onion, diced
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 8oz mushrooms, chopped
    • 2 bell peppers, chopped
    • 2 ½ tbsp chili powder
    • 2 tsp cacao powder
    • 2 tsp oregano
    • 1 tsp cumin
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 2-15oz cans beans (I used red and white kidney beans), drained and rinsed
    • 2-15oz cans diced fire-roasted tomatoes

    Instructions

    1. Drain and press tofu for at least 20 minutes.
    2. Heat olive oil in a medium pot/Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and peppers and sauté for another 5 minutes.e
    3. Crumble tofu and add to pot with spices. Sauté for another 7-10 minutes.
    4. Add beans and tomatoes, stirring to combine. Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to low and simmer (covered) for about an hour, or until flavors have melded together.

    Keywords: vegan tofu chili

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @hummusapien on Instagram. I love sharing what you make!

    About Alexis Joseph

    Oh HEY there! I'm Alexis Joseph, food writer, blogger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), new mama, and co-founder of local restaurant group, Alchemy. I use my passion for cooking and wellness as fuel to help others ignite a more freeing and happy relationship with food. Learn more about Alexis!

    5 Secrets to Delish, Healthy Lunches

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Fiona says

      April 30, 2022 at 1:12 am

      Sounds amazing and looking forward to cooking it. Can it be frozen or stored in fridge for a few days?

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        May 04, 2022 at 3:06 pm

        Yes, either works great!

        Reply
    2. Zohra says

      January 18, 2021 at 5:15 am

      This is one of my favorite recipes! Even people who claim they “hate” mushrooms end up loving it! We love seasoning so most of the time I double the seasoning and add an extra can of of beans (whatever I have in the cupboard). Would give 6 stars if I could! ❤️

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. Marie Burris says

      November 22, 2018 at 6:47 pm

      A tofu press?!?!?! Who knew?? There goes another million dollar idea I missed out on inventing. LOL I have printed off the tofu mushroom chili recipe and plan to venture into the tofu chili waters next week. BTW, I've recently made your "Yummiest Vegetable Soup" recipe and I have to agree. It truly was absolutely yummy. I've never tasted a vegetable soup so flavorful, and I've tried so many. Thank you for all you do and thanks for your website! It's a lifesaver!

      Reply
    4. S Baxley says

      November 10, 2017 at 2:09 pm

      I just purchased the EZ Tofu Press on Amazon. I will be making the Vegan Mushroom Tofu Chili.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Kathleen says

      February 26, 2017 at 7:41 pm

      I made this for dinner and it was delicious! Thanks for the great recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        February 27, 2017 at 8:54 am

        YAY so happy you loved it! Keep cookin' 🙂

        Reply
    6. Kathleen says

      February 26, 2017 at 7:40 pm

      Made this for dinner and it was delicious! Thanks for the great recipe

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Tara A. says

      January 24, 2017 at 2:37 pm

      Great recipe!! Thank you for sharing, it's delish! I added black beans instead of white kidney, some jalapeño, paprika, and some corn. Soooo yum.

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        January 24, 2017 at 4:51 pm

        Oh sounds DELICIOUS!

        Reply
    8. Jaleesa says

      November 27, 2016 at 9:42 pm

      Hi,

      Love this recipe!! I would like a Tofu press because I am currently in transition of becoming a Vegan. I love to cook, but have some challenges making Tofu that have made me feel discouraged in going Vegan. The Tofu press will make cooking easier, and I'll feel motivated to make so many recipes including this amazing chili. I love mushrooms!

      Thank you in advance for your consideration. Whoever gets it, will be lucky and happy holidays!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    9. Kat says

      November 26, 2016 at 5:28 pm

      I like to make cashew- tofu cream to spread on toast. I love to make this chili too!

      Reply
    10. Jan says

      November 26, 2016 at 10:18 am

      As so many others have said, I would totally make this recipe with the tofu press! I also like to bake tofu - and it never seems to get dry enough, after pressing with plates and cans.

      Reply
    11. Lindsay says

      February 15, 2016 at 7:52 pm

      I made this tonight and followed the recipe exactly. I found it pretty bland and watery.

      Reply
    12. SB says

      December 04, 2015 at 12:28 pm

      I WOULD SO MAKE THAT TOFU CHILI!

      Reply
    13. May says

      November 29, 2015 at 2:13 pm

      I would love to make this tofu chili. I love chili and it would be perfect to make this for winter!

      Reply
    14. courtney says

      November 29, 2015 at 1:43 pm

      i'd make a huge batch of curry and stir fry some tofu to pop in it!

      Reply
    15. Jillian Too says

      November 28, 2015 at 10:59 pm

      I'd either make a veggie tofu stir-fry or an Italian white bean tofu stew.

      Reply
    16. Corrine says

      November 28, 2015 at 7:23 pm

      There are so many recipes to choose from it's hard to pick just one. =) Soups and salads are just some!

      Reply
    17. Lydia Claire says

      November 27, 2015 at 8:30 pm

      For pretty much every recipe I use tofu in unless it's silken tofu!

      Reply
    18. Mike says

      November 27, 2015 at 12:04 am

      I´d make ¨Ma Po Tofu¨, of course. What other dish could highlight the awesomeness of tofu. Fried tofu, garlic, spicy bean paste, sriracha, yummers. And then, maybe a tofu bacon wrap.... kind of like a BLT without the bread. Tofu press, thatś brilliant!

      Reply
    19. Carlie says

      November 25, 2015 at 3:25 am

      I would make tofu "wings" and tons of stir fry!

      Reply
    20. jeanne says

      November 24, 2015 at 10:34 pm

      I would probably make some kind of a stir-fry!

      Reply
    21. Sherwood says

      November 24, 2015 at 8:12 pm

      Not really sure what I'd make, as I've never made tofu before. But I think I'd try out some tofu-centric Chinese food!

      Reply
    22. Leah says

      November 24, 2015 at 7:32 pm

      Yummmm!!!! I always make sweet potato black bean--but this one is a must!! I need a little variety and it looks amazing! And the tofu press?! Something I've had intended to buy ages ago and forgot about. Love it!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    23. paige c says

      November 24, 2015 at 6:02 pm

      I would love to have a tofu press, I can never seem to get all the water out when making stir fry or any other tofu dishes

      Reply
    24. Melissa says

      November 24, 2015 at 3:29 pm

      I've also never used tofu in chili, but I have used tempeh. This recipe looks like a good use for my next tofu purchase. I also love to make smoky maple baked tofu, which is a recipe from the Thug Kitchen cookbook. I always use a million and five paper towels to press my tofu, so it'd be nice to have this tofu press instead.

      Reply
    25. Emilie @ Emilie Eats says

      November 24, 2015 at 2:43 pm

      Me me me!?? A tofu press would make a great addition in my humble college apartment kitchen! I've been cooking with toy more lately because I finally found a way to cook it where it doesn't taste like a nasty sponge. I love mixed in with a soy-ginger marinade, baking it, and then putting it over vegetable noodles (like turnip noodles!) with edamame, avocado, sauteed kale, and a little soy sauce. So delicious!

      Reply
    26. Beverley @ sweaty&fit says

      November 24, 2015 at 2:25 pm

      hahahah. 'a high protein tasteless sponge.'
      that is EXACTLY what tofu is. I am convinced tho!! I will definitely try it in my chili next time. Great recipe 🙂

      Reply
    27. Georgina says

      November 24, 2015 at 2:12 pm

      I love a good tofu stir fry! Hahaha oh i know the paper towel struggles far too well. A tofu press would be awesome!

      Reply
    28. Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says

      November 24, 2015 at 2:07 pm

      Tasteless sponge chili sounds fantabulous to me!! I don't have a tofu press but I've wanted one for a while now. I hate having to use dish towels and stack books every time I cook it!

      Reply
    29. Courtney Glausi says

      November 24, 2015 at 1:54 pm

      I've been wanting a tofu press so badly! I make baked tofu for an easy dinner often, but the tofu pressing is such a hassle and makes the easy dinner not so easy! I'd LOVE to try this chili recipe!! Meat in chili always seems like overkill to me, so the tofu option sounds like an amazing way to get in lots of protein without the meat. Thanks for the recipe 🙂 I'll let you know soon how I like it!

      Reply
    30. Ananda says

      November 24, 2015 at 1:39 pm

      What a cool gadget. I didn't even know those existed. I have a tower that I build whenever I press my tofu and it involves two plates, a couple cookbooks and my heaviest cutting board. Anyway, I would use it to make Tofu Pad Thai. Yum

      Reply
    31. Amanda says

      November 24, 2015 at 1:23 pm

      I would use it to make your crispy tofu fingers! Although this chili looks like a good place to start with my anti-tofu husband ?

      Reply
    32. ellen says

      November 24, 2015 at 12:59 pm

      I think I would revisit every tofu recipe I've ever made, to be honest! This would be a game changer for marinating and soaking up optimal flavor!

      Reply
    33. Lindsay Amerman says

      November 24, 2015 at 8:56 am

      If I got this awesome EZ Tofu Press, I would use it when I make tofu stir fry constantly! I love to make all different veggie stir fries with tofu during the week and having this tofu press would definitely save me time when I get home late from work!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 30, 2015 at 7:48 am

        Hi Lindsay, you're the winner! Please email your address to hummusapien@hotmail.com. Thanks!

        Reply
    34. Dieititan Jess says

      November 24, 2015 at 8:46 am

      So many good tofu recipes to make-but ones of my favs is your ricotta tofu lasagna (meat eating hubs LOVED it!) If it don't win I need to add a tofu press to my Christmas list!

      Reply
    35. Madeleine says

      November 24, 2015 at 12:35 am

      I've been tweaking a salad with quinoa, butternut squash, cranberries, spinach, and a number of other things, but it's amazing with honey-glazed baked tofu, and baked tofu is five million times better with a tofu press. I've been wanting one of these for ages!

      Reply
    36. Janet Novak says

      November 23, 2015 at 10:45 pm

      Well, I would make this mushroom tofu chili, of course! ? It looks fabulous!

      Reply
    37. Stephanie says

      November 23, 2015 at 10:28 pm

      A tofu press? Amazing! I always have a hard time cooking tofu I place a ton of things on top of it to try and drain it, but it never seems to work well...this could change my feelings towards prepping with tofu! I have a couple recipes I would try out...one Buffalo Tofu Bites and second this mushroom tofu chili. Followed by many more if cooking with tofu became easier!! 🙂

      Reply
    38. Erika says

      November 23, 2015 at 10:08 pm

      Well if I had an EZ Tofu press I would first give this recipe a whirl, it sounds amazing! Then I would make some sort of curry tofu with veggies, indian food is my latest obsession! I became a vegetarian about 9 months ago and I have loved experimenting with tofu in my cooking. Keep the recipes coming 🙂

      Reply
    39. Megan says

      November 23, 2015 at 9:43 pm

      What a novel invention. I've been using the dish on top of numerous paper towels since I started eating tofu. I would make this recipe with the tofu press! Going to try it out for Thanksgiving and I'm sure will want to make it again.

      Reply
    40. Heather says

      November 23, 2015 at 9:00 pm

      I would love to try Baked Spaghetti with Kale, Mushrooms, and Tofu Ricotta!! And, of course, the tofu press would make this and so many other recipes MUCH easier to tackle!!

      Reply
    41. Sharon Gilbert says

      November 23, 2015 at 8:32 pm

      I would love to have this press-my cast iron skillet just hit the floor while I was using to press tofu for this chili recipe. My go-to recipe for tofu is an easy one I've adapted from Sunset magazine. It's called Curried Lentils with Paneer, which I replaced with cubed extra firm tofu.

      Reply
    42. Lindsay says

      November 23, 2015 at 8:32 pm

      I love tofu with some kind of peanut sauce over rice and lots of veggies

      Reply
    43. Megan says

      November 23, 2015 at 8:01 pm

      Umm I would definitely make this chili with a tofu press! I'm drooling over the pictures!! I actually can't believe I didn't even know such a thing existed!

      Reply
    44. Alicia Branam says

      November 23, 2015 at 7:00 pm

      I love baked tofu and I make lots of different kinds - teriyaki, BBQ, Sirracha, curry, all so good! Great snacking item and my kids love to take it in their lunches too! My plates are getting tired as doubling as a tofu press 😉

      Reply
    45. Ashley Rachal, MS, RD, LDN says

      November 23, 2015 at 6:12 pm

      I have a great recipe for Chili Lime Tofu "Steaks" that I would make. I recommend getting a tofu press to all of my vegetarian/vegan patients and yet, somehow I don't have one myself! I'm using the old tried-and-true method of stacking several heavy plates on top of mounds of paper towels. This tofu press definitely seems like a more convenient (not to mention safer for my dishes) option! And this chili recipe looks fantastic! Can't wait to try it 🙂

      Reply
    46. Devon says

      November 23, 2015 at 5:10 pm

      I would love to have a tofu press because I can totally relate to stacking multiple items on top of the tofu to only have them fall all over the floor!

      Reply

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