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‘Meaty’ Vegan Chili con TVP

If you want a meaty vegan chili, TVP soy granules are the way to go! This Chili con TVP convinces even the most stubborn meat-eaters! It’s perfect for parties because it can be prepared ahead and it’s a real crowd-pleaser! 

Meaty Vegan Chili con TVP
My boyfriend and I make Chili pretty often, especially in fall and winter, it’s such a comforting, filling and warming meal. My favorite way to serve it is with corn tortilla chips and avocado slices on top. It’s also really good with homemade bread!

The cocoa powder, rice syrup, and cinnamon gives the Chili a nice sweet touch and takes it to a whole new level. While the liquid smoke adds a nice smoky flavor.

We also love making vegan Chili when people are over, because you can easily make a bigger portion and it’s so easy, it almost cooks itself. It can be prepared ahead (may I just say it’s even better when reheated?!) and it’s a real crowd-pleaser. We made this Chili for so many of our friends and they all loved it (even meat-lovers!). So it’s a perfect food for the Super Bowl or New Year’s Eve.

Meaty Vegan Chili con TVP

TVP / Soy Granules

The key to making a ‘meaty’ vegan chili is using soy granule or TVP. Not only does it give the Chili lots of protein, but it adds that typical meaty consistency that you can’t get with tofu, lentils or bulgur. I’m sure of it, most meat-eaters won’t notice that it’s a vegan Chili.

I’m a big fan of TVP because it’s the perfect substitute for meaty components in dishes and it stores forever because it’s hydrated. It’s rich in protein and not expensive. It can soak up lots of flavor (it works wonders with liquid smoke!).

Textured Vegetable Protein - Soya Granules | ElephantasticVegan.com

Textured Vegetable Protein – Soy Granule

Meaty Vegan Chili con TVP

'Meaty' Vegan Chili con TVP

Elephantastic Vegan
If you want a meaty vegan chili, TVP soy granules are the way to go! This Chili con TVP convinces even the most stubborn meat-eaters! It's perfect for parties because it can be prepared ahead and it's a real crowd-pleaser! 
4.65 from 17 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Vegan
Servings 2 people
Calories 520 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

'Meaty' Vegan Chili con TVP (Soy Granule)

  • 1 cup soy granule
  • 15 oz canned corn
  • 15 oz canned kidney beans
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon paprika powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt + more to taste
  • a few splashes of soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • 1 teaspoon canola oil
  • 1/2 large onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder + more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
  • 1/4 teaspoon cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon brown rice syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 cup tomato purée*

Toppings

  • tortilla chips
  • 1/2 avocado

Instructions
 

  • Chop the onion and mince the garlic.
  • In a big pot add the soy granule, 3/4 cup of water, a few splashes of soy sauce, paprika powder, salt and the liquid smoke. Cook on medium-high heat for about 4 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  • Make some space in the pot and pour in a teaspoon of canola oil, add in the chopped onions and garlic. Let it cook for about 3 minutes.
  • Stir everything together, add the corn & kidney beans, the chili powder, tomato paste, cocoa, rice syrup, cinnamon and 1 1/4 cups of water. Reduce the heat, put the lid on and let it cook for about 20 minutes.
  • Add a cup of sieved tomatoes and let it cook for about 5 minutes without the lid on.
  • Your chili should be ready by now. Add more salt and chili to taste.
  • Pit your avocado and cut it in thin slices, peel off the skin and top your chili sin carne with it.
  • Serve for example with tortilla chips.

Notes

*I used store-bought tomato purée (with salt, no additional herbs) for this recipe - it's often canned or in cartons, not to confuse with tomato paste which is thicker in consistency.

Nutrition

Calories: 520kcalCarbohydrates: 142gProtein: 20gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 1565mgPotassium: 1768mgFiber: 48gSugar: 43gVitamin A: 2660IUVitamin C: 27.9mgCalcium: 119mgIron: 8.8mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @elephantasticvegan or tag #elephantasticvegan!

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Recipe Rating




Fat Glenn

Friday 27th of January 2023

1/2 teaspoon chili powder!? That's like nothing.

Jamie

Sunday 11th of September 2022

This chili was so good! Not your traditional tasting chili. Super quick and easy to make, definitely a new go to!

sarah

Saturday 27th of August 2022

My family said this was winning chili cook off material!! I added diced carrots, serrano pepper, extra chili powder, a can of roasted diced tomatoes for acidity, and a can of refried beans for creaminess Wasn't sure about if the chili would come together but absolutely did!!! definetely pair with cornbread!!!

Bianca

Tuesday 6th of September 2022

awesome! So glad everyone was happy with it :)

Maribee

Sunday 21st of November 2021

Really delicious! I made it exactly by the recipe, just adding a bit more water because I like a lot of yummy spicy broth. The cacao and cinnamon really a wink to Mexican mole... I will definitely make again.

Ashley

Wednesday 6th of November 2019

I would like to make the recipe but have never cooked with TVP before. Is the 2cups of water added at the beginning where it says 3/4 cups, or do I add the rest later in the process?

Bianca

Tuesday 19th of November 2019

Hi Ashley, only add 3/4 cups in the beginning. The rest is added later in step 4.