Vegan Camping Chili

Chili has been around for hundreds of years as a tasty dish. It has roots in what’s now known as the American West and was a staple for cowboy campers around the fire. One old legend tells a tale of immigrants from the Canary Islands who brought a recipe for chili with them when they settled in what is now known as San Antonio in the early 1700s. Today, chili is still eaten around campfires or inside on winter nights as a savory way to warm up from the cold.

This chili is my go-to meal for car camping. You can prep for the meal ahead of time by chopping up all the veggies and heating everything together before serving. You can even add plant-based meat to tie everything together with an even heartier taste. 

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp. avocado or olive oil

  • 1 large onion, diced 

  • 1 medium green bell pepper, stem removed, diced

  • 1 medium yellow bell pepper, stem removed, diced

  • 1 medium orange bell pepper, stem removed, diced

  • 1 16-ounce can of black beans, drained and rinsed

  • 1 16-ounce can of red kidney beans, drained and rinsed 

  • 1 16-ounce can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed

  • 1 packet of chili mix* 

  • 1 16 z ounce jar of mild salsa

  • 2 cups water (use the salsa jar)

Directions

  1. In a large pot, heat 1 Tbsp of oil over medium heat. Add the onion and bell peppers. Cook and stir for 10 minutes until softened. 

  2. Add the beans, corn, and chili mix. Cook for about 5 minutes until everything is coated and the spices smell fragrant. Add the salsa. Fill the salsa jar with water and shake to release any last bits of salsa. Add to the pot. Bring to boiling. Boil for 3 minutes. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes more. Remove from heat and serve. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

  3. Top your chili with vegan shredded cheese, avocado, vegan sour cream, or tortilla chips, and then serve.

Adding plant-based meat: To add plant-based meat, sauté 1 cup of plant-based meat crumbles in the oil until browned. Add in the plant-based meat while simmering all the rest of the ingredients in the pot.

*Make your own chili mix: Combine 2 tsp. chili powder, 2 tsp of garlic powder, 2 tsp. Cumin, 1 tsp of onion powder.