Happy first day of Fall!

This is my absolute favorite season. Bring on the cozy sweaters, ankle booties, apple picking, hot cider, beautiful foliage, and pumpkin EVERYTHING! As soon as I feel that refreshing Fall chill in the air, I start cooking all of my favorite soups and chili’s again. What I love about making soup is that it’s really easy to make large batches of it to eat throughout the week. It’s also so comforting on a cool night and super nutritious with the right ingredients.

In celebration of this beautiful season, I wanted to share with you my favorite chili recipe that is packed with all the essential nutrients and is super easy to throw together with leftovers for days. This is my kind of meal! 

Cozy Vegan Fall Chili
Serves 4
A delicious, simple vegan bean chili to warm you up this Fall.
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Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
40 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
40 min
For the Chili
  1. 14 oz kidney beans (either soaked from scratch and cooked or from a BPA-free tin)
  2. 28 oz tinned black beans (either soaked from scratch and cooked or from a BPA-free tin)
  3. 1 cup cooked brown or green lentils - can substitute with more kidney beans if desired
  4. 1 carrot, peeled and diced
  5. 2 cups kale, washed and chopped
  6. 1 cup organic corn (fresh or frozen) - optional
  7. 1 700 ml jar of tomatoes or 28 oz can
  8. 1 teaspoon chili powder (add more if you like) - optional
  9. 5 cloves of fresh garlic, chopped finely
  10. 1 red onion, chopped finely
  11. 1 1/2 tablespoon paprika
  12. 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  13. 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  14. 1⁄4 teaspoon sea salt
  15. 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
  16. Pinch ground cinnamon
  17. Cilantro - optional
For the cashew cheese
  1. Here are two recipes that can be used depending on the ingredients you have on hand.
  2. 1 cup cashew nuts (soaked for at least 10 minutes beforehand)
  3. 1 large garlic clove or 1/8 tsp garlic powder
  4. Juice from one lemon
  5. 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast (add more if you want it more cheesy flavored)
  6. 1/4 teaspoon cracked pepper
  7. 1 teaspoon wholegrain or dijon mustard
  8. 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  9. 1/2 cup water
  10. OR
  11. 1 cup cashews nuts (soaked for at least 10 minutes beforehand if you can)
  12. Juice from 1 lemon or lime
  13. Water - very small amount, enough to get things going in the blender
  14. 1/4 teaspoon of salt - adjust to your taste preference
  1. Pour cashews into a medium sized bowl and fill to the top with water. Let the cashews soak for as long as you can before making the cashew cheese, at least 10 minutes.
  2. Rinse lentils and remove any shriveled lentils or rocks. Bring 1 cup lentils and 2 cups water to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
  3. Simmer lentils uncovered for 20-30 minutes. Lentils are cooked when they are soft.
  4. In a saucepan, saute onion for 5 minutes in a dash of water. Add more water if the onion starts to stick. Add garlic, and saute for 2 more minutes.
  5. Add all bean chili ingredients into a saucepan and gently heat on medium.
  6. To make cashew cheese, blend all cheese ingredients in a high-speed blender until thick and creamy.
  7. Serve bean chili with a dollop or two of cashew cheese and cilantro if you have it. Enjoy!
Optional dinner idea
  1. Add bean chili to warm corn fajitas and serve with brown jasmine rice, cilantro, cashew cheese, lime juice and you've got yourself an easy taco night!
Adapted from Sarah Lemkus
Adapted from Sarah Lemkus
Be Well by Jess http://bewellbyjess.com/

What is your favorite way to warm up in the Fall? Tag me on Instagram @bewelljess with a pic of your chili! 

Be Well,