Vegetarian "Chorizo" & Black Bean Chili - A hearty and healthy chili made with chorizo-flavored seitan that will fool even the biggest meat lovers! | foxeslovelemons.com

In all honesty, I’ve always been confused by meat substitutes. Veggie “bacon,” fake meat crumbles, etc. If you decide to adapt a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, why would you want to eat these things? While I’m not a vegetarian, I eat many meatless meals, filling my plate with filling yet substantial foods like lentils, whole grains and mushrooms.

However, I’m not one to completely dismiss a food until I’ve tried it. By happenstance, I came across this article that explains “hippie ingredients” like miso and nutritional yeast, as well as meat substitutes.

The author talks about tempeh (a meat substitute), claiming “$10 says you can use it interchangeably in [chili, lasagna or Sloppy Joe’s], and even the most astute meat-eater wouldn’t be able to tell if you spice it properly.” Challenge accepted.

Vegetarian "Chorizo" & Black Bean Chili - A hearty and healthy chili made with chorizo-flavored seitan that will fool even the biggest meat lovers! | foxeslovelemons.com

In the name of trying to fool my husband, I trekked to the “hippie” section of my grocery store. While I didn’t find tempeh, I did spot a chorizo-flavored seitan (a high-protein meat substitute made from wheat gluten) with a cute hipster guy on the package, and knew I could turn it into a spicy chili.

With a big pot of chili and a very hungry and unsuspecting husband (I simply told him it was “chorizo chili”), dinner was served.

Now, Jeff is a meat lover. He craves steak, owns his own smoker, and smokes at least 5 pounds of meat many weekends. His review of this chili: “That is an outstanding chili. You should be very proud of that.” I actually still haven’t told him the truth until now. Hi honey – I fed you fake meat. And you had no idea.

Vegetarian "Chorizo" & Black Bean Chili - A hearty and healthy chili made with chorizo-flavored seitan that will fool even the biggest meat lovers! | foxeslovelemons.com

I think this vegetarian chili would be perfect to serve a mixed crowd of vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike for game day! The vegetarians will enjoy the spicy flavor and textures, and the non-vegetarians won’t be able to tell the difference! Enjoy the game!

Chili topped with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and cilantro in white bowl, on top of white plate with spoon. Cheese and cilantro scattered on table near bowl.

"Chorizo" & Black Bean Vegetarian Chili

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 small white onion, chopped
  • 1 (8 ounce) package chorizo-flavored seitan
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles, drained
  • 2 cups vegetable stock
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons dried oregano
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt, cilantro, Cheddar cheese and/or tortilla chips, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in medium saucepot over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion; cook 4 to 6 minutes or until softened, stirring frequently.
  2. Add seitan; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until lightly browned, breaking up seitan with side of spoon and stirring frequently.
  3. Add beans, tomatoes, chiles, stock, chili powder and oregano. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 15 minutes or until slightly thickened. Serve with desired garnishes.

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know what you think! Rate the recipe above, leave a comment below, and/or share a photo to Instagram using the tag #foxeslovelemons.