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.
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?
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.
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!
Tofu Chili Recipe
- 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
Description
HeartyTofu Chili is the ultimate comforting meal on chilly nights. Super meaty and packed with 15 grams of plant protein!
Ingredients
- 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
- Drain and press tofu for at least 20 minutes.
- 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
- Crumble tofu and add to pot with spices. Sauté for another 7-10 minutes.
- 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
Tara A. says
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.
Alexis says
Oh sounds DELICIOUS!
Jaleesa says
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!!!
★★★★★
Kat says
I like to make cashew- tofu cream to spread on toast. I love to make this chili too!
Jan says
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.
Lindsay says
I made this tonight and followed the recipe exactly. I found it pretty bland and watery.
SB says
I WOULD SO MAKE THAT TOFU CHILI!
May says
I would love to make this tofu chili. I love chili and it would be perfect to make this for winter!
courtney says
i'd make a huge batch of curry and stir fry some tofu to pop in it!
Jillian Too says
I'd either make a veggie tofu stir-fry or an Italian white bean tofu stew.
Corrine says
There are so many recipes to choose from it's hard to pick just one. =) Soups and salads are just some!