Vegan Pumpkin Chili with Smoky Tempeh

This vegan Pumpkin Chili is made meaty with smokey tempeh and flavored to perfection with squash puree for a seasonal twist on an American classic.

The first from-scratch meal I ever made was chili. I did a little cooking when I lived with my parents but that usually involved boiling some pasta and opening up a jar of marinara sauce. In college, I worked at the school’s dining hall which allowed me to eat for free. It wasn’t until 2003 when I was studying off-campus in a remote, nearly off-the-grid, little town in southern Oregon that I had to really learn how to cook. Fortunately, I had friends with me that were more experienced than I in the kitchen and it was with them on a chilly afternoon in October that I cooked my first from-scratch meal: yes, you guessed it (well, actually I told you), chili. Eating that meal was so satisfying and delicious. I was eager to learn more. Over the course of the next several months, I began to experiment in the kitchen. I made my first homemade granola, I saw my first ginger root, mixed my own curry powder, and eventually created my own recipes. Once I started cooking, I never stopped. It was a love I didn’t even know I had until that October afternoon in southern Oregon. So, in a way, chili was the stepping stones that brought me here, to this blog.

Why I love this vegan pumpkin chili

Over the years I have made many chili recipes; it’s one of my favorite dishes to experiment with. Thirteen years of making chili and I think it’s safe to say that this Vegan Pumpkin Chili with Smoky Tempeh Chili. It’s got everything the perfect chili needs.

• robust protein-rich flavor of the crumbled tempeh
• complex combination of of sweet, smokey, hot, and bitter
• creamy texture from the pumpkin puree and kidney beans
• fresh and crunchy garnishes for contrast

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HOW TO MAKE VEGAN CHILI

Let’s take a look at how to make this vegan chili. The good news is this recipe is super simple to make. It can be made in just one pot and in under 30 minutes for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

STEP ONE – SAUTÉ THE VEGETABLES

Let’s start by sautéing some vegetables. In a soup pot, heat oil over medium heat. For this recipe, my oil of choice is avocado oil. It is a healthy oil that handles heat well. You could also use coconut oil or vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, add the onions and garlic and sauté them until they are translucent and fragrant. This takes about 5 minutes. Once they have filled your house with the sweet aroma of onions, add bell peppers and sauté for another 5 minutes, until the tempeh is browned

STEP TWO – ADD THE SPICES

Spice is key to every good chili recipe and this one uses 5 important spices. Those spices are:

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Paprika
• Cayenne

It’s the perfect hot, herbal, and smoky combination that pairs with the hearty meatiness of this chili. The spices get mixed together and then added to the vegetables, stirring until they are well coated.

STEP THREE – ADD THE REMAINING INGREDIENTS

That’s your tomatoes, beans, vegetable broth, and everything else. Add the ingredients to the soup pot and stir together. Cook for about 15 minutes until the chili is heated all the way through. That’s it! So easy. Now let’s serve it up and chow down.

More Vegan Chili Recipes

• Best-Ever Classic Vegan Chili
• Maple Bourbon Sweet Potato Chili
• 3-Bean Vegan Chili
• Chipotle Butternut Squash Chili