Vegetables & Sides Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. 
Serving Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Chili Non Carne
A hearty meatless chili loaded with zucchini, carrot, tomatoes, and two kinds of kidney beans in a warmly spiced sauce.
No common allergens detected
Based on this recipe's ingredient list. Always verify with your own brands and labels.
Good to know
- One-pot
Matched from this dish's own ingredients and timing. Browse more: one-pot dinners
Instructions
6 steps- 1
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat and saute the chopped onion and garlic, adding a splash of water, until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- 2
Stir in the chili powder, basil, oregano, and cumin and cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
- 3
Add the zucchini and carrot and stir until well coated, cooking for another minute over low heat.
- 4
Stir in the tomatoes, the undrained kidney beans, and the drained kidney beans, then bring to a boil.
- 5
Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 to 45 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the chili has thickened.
- 6
Ladle into bowls and top with chopped onion, diced tomato, and green pepper to taste.
Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Listahan Family Score™
64/100
Works for many families
Score reflects how well this recipe fits a typical busy household. In the app, your Family Score is personalized to your household's allergens, kids, and pantry.
Nutrition
per serving60
Calories
2 g
Protein
8 g
Carbs
3 g
Fat
Estimated per serving. Actual values depend on the brands and portions you use.
Listahan cooking guide
Chef notes & practical guide
Technique notes, ingredient swaps, serve-alongside ideas, storage guidance, and equipment for this recipe.
Cultural context
Chili non carne means chili without meat, a name that plays off the classic chili con carne it descends from. American home cooks have made meatless versions of chili for decades, letting beans, chili powder, and simmered vegetables do the work that ground beef usually does. This version leans on two cans of kidney beans plus diced zucchini and carrot for a chili that stays hearty without any meat in the pot.
Listahan note
This version builds its body from two kinds of kidney beans and a mix of zucchini and carrot, so the chili stays thick and satisfying without meat. A layered spice bloom of chili powder, basil, oregano, and cumin keeps the flavor from tasting thin.
Technique cues
- Bloom the chili powder, basil, oregano, and cumin in the pot for about a minute once the onion and garlic have softened, so the spices toast instead of tasting raw and dusty.
- Add the zucchini and carrot before the tomatoes and beans go in, giving the vegetables a head start so they turn tender rather than staying firm under the full simmer.
- Let the pot simmer uncovered for the full 30 to 45 minutes so the liquid from the tomatoes and undrained beans reduces into a thick, clingy chili rather than a thin soup.
Kitchen flow
- Parallel prep
- Prepare garnishes, sides, or serving dishes while Chili Non Carne handles its longest cook, rest, or finish step.
- Make-ahead
- Chili Non Carne reheats well, so cooking it a day ahead and finishing it just before serving is a reasonable way to spread out the work. This one leans on the garlic cloves. The simmer step is what sets the pace here.
- Leftover move
- Leftover Chili Non Carne reheats well covered on the stove or in the oven with a splash of liquid; avoid the microwave, which can dry out a dish reheated this way faster than a covered, gentler reheat. This one leans on the garlic cloves. Plan around the simmer; that's the slow part.
- Cleanup rhythm
- Deglaze the pan used for Chili Non Carne with a splash of water or broth right after cooking — it lifts the browned bits before they dry on and saves scrubbing later. This one leans on the garlic cloves. The simmer step is what sets the pace here.
Ingredient brief
Role, handling, and swap guidance for each key ingredient.
1 cup chopped onion
Aromatic base
Purpose: cup chopped onion creates the savory foundation before stronger ingredients are added.
Handling: Wash, trim, and cut evenly so the pieces cook at the same pace.
Adaptation: Use the closest fresh equivalent and expect a modest shift in flavor or texture.
2 garlic cloves
Aromatic base
Purpose: garlic cloves creates the savory foundation before stronger ingredients are added.
Handling: Wash, trim, and cut evenly so the pieces cook at the same pace.
Adaptation: Use the closest fresh equivalent and expect a modest shift in flavor or texture.
1 Tbsp olive oil
Richness and texture
Purpose: Tbsp olive oil rounds the texture and helps the dish feel complete.
Handling: Prep before heat is high so the cooking step can move without rushing.
Adaptation: Use the closest fresh equivalent and expect a modest shift in flavor or texture.
2 Tbsp chili powder
Seasoning backbone
Purpose: Tbsp chili powder gives the dish its recognizable flavor direction.
Handling: Measure before heating and break up clumps so the mix distributes evenly.
Adaptation: Use the closest fresh equivalent and expect a modest shift in flavor or texture.
1/4 tsp dried basil
Flavor support
Purpose: tsp dried basil supports the balance of Chili Non Carne and should taste integrated.
Handling: Prep before heat is high so the cooking step can move without rushing.
Adaptation: Use the closest fresh equivalent and expect a modest shift in flavor or texture.
Technique notes
- Keep one can of kidney beans undrained and stir it in along with its liquid; that starchy liquid is what thickens the chili instead of a roux or cornstarch.
- Dice the zucchini and carrot into similar sized pieces so both vegetables finish tender at the same time instead of one turning mushy while the other stays crunchy.
- Set out the chopped onion, diced tomato, and green pepper toppings in small bowls so everyone can adjust their own serving, since the base chili carries no meat to make it feel heartier by default.
Ingredient swaps
- Lower-sodium direction
- Hold back roughly a third of the salt at first; taste once everything else has had time to come together. This one leans on the garlic cloves.
- Weeknight shortcut
- For a faster version, prep the longest-cooking component a day ahead so the night-of cook is mostly assembly and finishing. This one leans on the garlic cloves.
Serve alongside
- Steamed rice
- Simple green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Cucumber salad
- Iced tea
- Sparkling water with lemon
- Citrus water
Serving suggestions only — check pairings for your household's allergens.
Storage & reheating
- Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently with a splash of water, broth, milk, or sauce as appropriate.
- Freeze up to 2 months when the texture is braised, baked, or stew-like.
Equipment
- Heavy skillet or pot
- Cutting board
- Tongs or spatula
Make this household-aware
Listahan Pro checks this recipe against your household's allergens, finds pantry-aware swaps, builds the shopping list, and helps you plan the week around it.
Plan it in Listahan
Add Chili Non Carne to your week, check it against your household's allergens, and build the shopping list automatically.
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