Vegan Chili Recipe for Burgers & Dogs (2024)

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If you love carrot/veggie dogs and black bean burgers but miss topping them with chili, I think you’re about to do a happy dance! This quick Vegan Chili Recipe is simmered with spices and onions and can be made in minutes.

We love this chili because it’s…

  • So versatile
  • Great on chili cheese fries, carrot hotdogs, black bean burgers, and more
  • Busting with flavor
  • Hearty
  • Easy to make
  • Even fools meat-eaters

Before switching to a healthy whole food, plant-based diet(WFPB) and lifestyle, we used to eat a lot of artery-clogging burgers and hot dogs.

We also had a host of medical conditions including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and joint pain.

Discovering how to make meatless chili for veggie burgers and dogs

For 35 years, I had made my homemade chili to top those burgers, hot dogs, and fries. It was a recipe I learned from my mom and grandmother, and it was so good.

Then, after four years of eating chili-less Black Bean Burgers, carrot dogs, and French fries, I decided to veganizedmy old recipe by replacing the ground beef with a grain called bulgur that is available at many grocery stores.

What is bulgur?

Bulguris a wholewheat grainthat is cooked exactlylike rice in about 15 minutes.(Follow package directions).

Vegan Chili Recipe for Burgers & Dogs (2)

I like to make a big batch of it andstore it in the freezerto use in recipes like tacos, stews, chili beans, no-meatloaf, etc. because bulgur adds aground beef textureand soaks up flavors of dish you’re preparing.

It’s so nice to be able to pull it out of the freezer already cooked and jump right into cooking the main dish.

For this chili recipe, you can use already cooked bulgur from your freezer or uncooked. Just reduce the cooking time if you decide to use cooked bulgur you already have on hand.

The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.

How to make vegan chili

In a saucepan, saute diced onions in approximately 3 Tbsp of the veggie broth. As they brown and begin to caramelize, add more veggie broth 1 Tbsp at a time. Allow to caramelize well.

Add all other chili ingredients including the bulgur, stir well, and simmer for approximately 15 minutes. Cover and turn off. Chili is basically done and ready to be eaten.

Vegan Chili Recipe for Burgers & Dogs (4)

*NOTE: If you already have pre-cooked bulgur (2 cups) in the freezer that you would like to use, simply omit the veggie broth/water except for about 1/2 a cup, and cook for only 5 minutes.

Vegan Chili Recipe for Burgers & Dogs (5)

Add to carrot dogs, veggie and black bean burgers, vegan chili cheese fries, or anything else you can think of.

Tips for making this vegan hotdog chili

  • I make big batches of bulgur in my rice steamer and freeze it to be used in recipes like this, along with tacos, lasagna, and chili fries. The great thing about having bulgur already cooked is that it cuts a step out of food preparation and speeds up the process of sitting down to dinner.
  • It’s so nice to be able to pull it out of the freezer and jump right into cooking the main dish.
  • This chili is the perfect topping for carrot dogs, which are my new love.
  • You’ve just GOT to try my homemade Vegan Cheese Sauce on your hot dogs and burgers too!
  • To make this gluten-free, try substituting Buckwheat Groats or cauliflower rice.

If you would like to make your own ketchup for this recipe, check out my 10-Minute Vegan Ketchup recipe.

*Originally published May 25, 2017

Made this on Monday and used no-salt added tomato sauce…it came out perfect! So delicious on carrot dogz.”–Chickavegan

Other recipes that use bulgur

  • Vegan Chili Cheese Fries
  • Black Bean Spinach Lasagna
  • Three Bean Crockpot Chili
  • Instant Pot Chili Recipe

For those of you new to the whole food plant-based lifestyle, we’ve created a FREE 7-Day Plant-Based Menu Planner to help you get started!

This post may contain affiliate links.Read my full disclosure here.

If you try this recipe, please let us know how you like it by rating it and leaving a comment. We love to hear from you!

Vegan Chili Recipe for Burgers & Dogs (8)

4.64 from 33 votes

Vegan Chili Recipe for Burgers & Veggie Dogs

If you love carrot/veggie dogs and burgers but miss topping them with chili, I think you're about to do a happy-dance! This quick Chili Vegan Recipe is simmered with spices and onions and can be made in minutes. Links to Vegan Chili Cheese Fries and Black Bean Burgers also included.

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Print Pin Rate Save

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 1/2 cup onion diced
  • 1/2 cup veggie broth (if using uncooked bulgur)*
  • 1 cup dry uncooked bulgur (or 2 cups cooked)*
  • 2 cups veggie broth or water
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon or worcestershire sauce without anchovies
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon season salt
  • pinch cayenne pepper (optional for spice)

Instructions

  • In saucepan, saute diced onions in approximately 3 Tbsp of the veggie broth. As they brown and begin to caramelize, add more veggie broth 1 Tbsp at a time. Allow to caramelize well.

  • Add all other chili ingredients, stir well, and simmer for approximately 10-15 minutes. Cover and turn heat down to warm or off. Chili is basically done and ready to be eaten.

  • *NOTE: If you already have pre-cooked bulgur (2 cups) in the freezer that you would like to use, simply omit the veggie broth/water except for about 1/2 a cup, and cook for only 5 minutes.

  • Add to carrot dogs, veggie and black bean burgers, vegan chili cheese fries, or anything else you can think of. Black bean burger and vegan chili cheese fries recipe links below.

Video

Notes

Detailed instructions, in-process photos, and my personal helpful tips can be found in the article above.

  • I make big batches ofbulgurin myrice steamerandfreeze it to be used in recipeslike this, along with tacos,lasagna, andchili fries. The great thing about having bulgur already cooked is that it cuts a step out of food preparation and speeds up the process of sitting down to dinner.
  • It’s so nice to be able to pull it out of the freezer and jump right into cooking the main dish.
  • This chili is the perfect topping forcarrot dogs, which are my new love.
  • You’ve just GOT to try my homemadeVegan Cheese Sauceon your hot dogs and burgers too!
  • To make this gluten-free,try substitutingBuckwheat Groatsor cauliflower rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 132kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 1g | Fiber: 5g

Disclaimer

To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

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About Terri Edwards

Hi guys! I am the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.I am passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to empower others to get healthy. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…

Vegan Chili Recipe for Burgers & Dogs (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making good chili? ›

Rumi Spice's top tips for making chili:
  1. Brown the Meat.
  2. Don't Forget Vegetables.
  3. Elevate with Extra Flavor.
  4. Only Add Flavorful Liquids.
  5. Opt for Dried Beans.
  6. Season Early and Often.
  7. Add Some Acidity at the End.
  8. Top It Off.

What's the difference between chili dog chili and regular chili? ›

It's noticeably thicker and smoother, and doesn't have beans in it. Essentially, it's like a thick sauce that stays on the hot dog better than regular chili so you can eat it with your hands.

How do you make chili more flavorful? ›

If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.

How do you doctor up canned chili for hot dogs? ›

"Adding fresh ingredients — like diced onions, cilantro, and jalapenos — will take any canned chili to another level," Dunleavy said. "The fresh burst of flavor will brighten and elevate the chili while also adding great texture and crunch."

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What kind of chili is best for chili dogs? ›

Hot dog chili tends to be less chunky, bean-free, and more like a puree (mmmmm… pureed meat). If you like the sort of chili that comes out of a dispenser at 7-Eleven, you'll like the best canned chili for hot dogs, too.

What is Coney dog sauce made of? ›

Make the Beef Sauce

Add the beef, stirring frequently, until well browned. Drain liquids and juices from the skillet, but keep beef in pan. Add onion, chili powder, salt, garlic powder, allspice, ground mustard, black pepper, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, tomato paste, and water. Stir to mix thoroughly.

Do you cook onions or meat first for chili? ›

In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the onions, garlic, and red pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the beef and increase the heat to high; cook, stirring with wooden spoon to break the meat into ¼-inch pieces, until the beef is browned, 10 to 12 minutes.

Why doesn't my chili have enough flavor? ›

Add garlic, cumin, and probably more salt. Chipotle chili powder is really nice in chili. Just add a little at a time until it tastes the way you want it too.

What does cinnamon do for chili? ›

Much like adding chili powder and other common chili spices, cinnamon is a super versatile spice that adds warmth without the heat to Firecracker chili.

What kind of beans are used in chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

Do you put mayo on a chili dog? ›

To assemble each hot dog, place on a potato roll then top with 1/4 cup prepared chili, 1 T diced onion, 1 T diced tomato, 1 Oz. shredded cheese, and a squirt of mayonnaise.

Does sugar make chili taste better? ›

Now for the piece de resistance: 1-2 heaping Tablespoons brown sugar. The chili tastes completely different without the brown sugar so if you like a subtle sweetness in your chili then you've just got to go for it! Trust me, it will not make your chili taste like candy.

Why add vinegar to chilli? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

Should you simmer chili with lid on or off? ›

For quicker-cooking chili like this recipe, don't cover the pot. We want the liquid in the chili to reduce, and leaving the lid off is crucial. If you're simmering the chili for a longer time, partially cover the pot to prevent the liquid from evaporating too quickly.

What does coffee do for chili? ›

This is why adding coffee—or even beer—to your chili will produce a result that works. Using coffee in the mix adds all the subtle flavor notes you love—like the subtle hints of chocolate and cherry from Death Wish Coffee. Beer, meanwhile, incorporates a light, malty sweetness.

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