What is a Good Substitute for Beans in Chili?

Find out what you can use instead of beans in chili if you can’t eat them, don’t like the way they taste, or don’t have any on hand.

There is no recipe more comforting than chili, am I right? And here is a fun fact. My famous traditional chili recipe was the first one to really take off on my blog. There is a good reason for that, too. It is a really good soup recipe that people adore.

In case you can’t eat beans or don’t have any in your pantry, you can still make chili and enjoy it. Ditch the chili beans and replace them with one of many food substitutes.

Read on for some great suggestions. First, though, let’s hook you up with the perfect recipe. Browse through the following options!.

Chili is a classic comfort food that is beloved by many. The rich, spicy flavor of chili makes it perfect for chilly nights. Traditionally, chili contains ground beef or turkey, tomatoes, onions, peppers, spices, and kidney or pinto beans. However, not everyone can or wants to eat beans. The good news is that there are many tasty substitutes for beans in chili recipes.

Why Use a Bean Substitute?

There are a few key reasons you may want to use a substitute instead of beans when making chili

Dietary restrictions – Some people need to avoid beans due to allergies, sensitivities or diets like paleo or low FODMAP
Texture preferences – Beans add a creamy, starchy texture. Some people prefer a heartier meatier texture in their chili.
Flavor – While beans soak up chili flavors, they also dilute the meatiness and spice. Substitutes can intensify the flavor.
Convenience – Canned beans are easy but dried beans require pre-soaking. Substitutes remove this extra step.

The Best Bean Substitutes for Chili

Here are 12 delicious options to use instead of beans in chili recipes:

1. Extra Ground Meat

Adding extra ground beef, turkey, bison or pork is an easy swap. Use 1 cup of cooked ground meat in place of 1 cup of beans. The extra meat boosts heartiness and savoriness. Leaner meats like ground turkey prevent greasiness.

2. Lentils

Cooked green or red lentils mimic the texture of beans. Swap 1 cup lentils for 1 cup beans. Lentils add protein and fiber without the beans. Cook them separately then add to the chili.

3. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes have a similar creaminess to beans. Replace 1 cup beans with 1 cup peeled, diced sweet potato. Bake or boil the sweet potato first before adding it to the chili during the last 10 minutes of cooking.

4. Mushrooms

Chopped mushrooms provide substantial bites and earthiness. Swap in 1 cup sliced mushrooms for 1 cup of beans. Try cremini, button or portobello mushrooms. Sauté the mushrooms before adding them to the chili.

5. Squash

Hearty winter squash varieties like butternut or acorn squash have a starchy, sweet flavor. Use 1 cup diced, cooked squash in place of 1 cup beans. Roast squash slices until tender before dicing and adding to the chili.

6. Sweet Corn

The sweetness and starchiness of corn complements chili’s spices. Substitute 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels for 1 cup of beans. Add the corn during the last 5 minutes of cooking so it doesn’t get mushy.

7. Cauliflower

Riced or chopped cauliflower has a surprisingly similar texture to beans. Replace 1 cup beans with 1 cup riced or finely chopped cauliflower florets. Saute the cauliflower first to soften.

8. Root Vegetables

Starchy root vegetables like potatoes, carrots and parsnips can stand in for beans. Use 1 cup peeled, diced roots instead of 1 cup beans. Boil or roast the vegetables first before adding them to the chili.

9. Green Peas

Green peas offer natural sweetness. Swap 1 cup peas (fresh or thawed frozen peas) in place of 1 cup beans. Stir them in during the last few minutes of cooking.

10. Peppers

For extra volume and brightness, substitute 1 cup diced red, yellow or orange bell peppers for 1 cup of beans. Saute the peppers before adding them to the chili.

11. Tomatoes

Additional chopped tomatoes will boost richness without beans. Use 1 cup canned diced tomatoes instead of 1 cup beans. Pick a fire-roasted or flavored variety for more complexity.

12. Bulgur Wheat

For a fiber boost, replace beans with bulgur wheat. Use 1 cup cooked bulgur instead of 1 cup beans. Cook the wheat separately then stir into chili before serving.

Tips for Beanless Chili

When cooking beanless chili, keep these tips in mind:

Sauté aromatics like onions, garlic and peppers to add depth.
Brown the ground meat well for richness. Drain excess fat.
Add chili powder, cumin, oregano and other spices to infuse flavor.
Deglaze cooking pans with broth to scrape up browned bits.
Use tomato sauce and tomato paste for thickness and umami.
Simmer chili with lid ajar to thicken and meld flavors.
Garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, scallions or avocado.
Serve beanless chili with sides like rice, cauliflower rice or mashed potatoes.

With so many options for replacements, you can easily make a delicious pot of beanless chili. Experiment with different substitutes to find your favorites. Just be sure to keep the level of spice and seasonings bold. Before you know it, this hearty chili will become a new staple.

what is a good substitute for beans in chili

How Long Does Chili Last In The Fridge

For information on how to store leftover chili or to find out if your batch is still fresh, click over!

Substitute For Beans In Chili

Any of the below are great substitute options for beans. Look through the list below to find an alternative that will work for you and the people you are cooking for!

Note: If you change any ingredient in a recipe, you might need to change the cooking time and the dish might taste different overall.

To make a great low-carb alternative, add up to an extra pound of ground meat. Ground turkey, chicken, venison, or pork sausage are all great options.
Using up to 2 cups of chopped vegetables instead is a great idea and one of the best alternatives. Some examples are broccoli florets, bell pepper, white or portobello mushrooms, sweet peas or split peas, carrots, zucchini, or butternut squash.
For a great alternative that is high in fiber, add up to 2 cups of chopped potatoes. You can use sweet potatoes for a sweet taste or cut russet, red, or Yukon gold potatoes into small pieces.
Adding up to 2 cups of soy, like tofu, edamame, whole soybeans, or texturized vegetable protein, is a great alternative that is also low in carbs.
You can use up to 1 cup of cooked grains instead of beans. Quinoa, white rice, brown rice, barley, or farro are all great options.
Up to 1 cup of cooked gluten-free grains, like grits, polenta, or corn, can be used instead of beans.
Chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans), lima beans, or black-eyed peas are all great gluten-free legumes that you can add up to 1 cup of cooked.
It will taste better with up to a cup of cooked brown, green, or red lentils.
It will taste better and be thicker if you add a can of tomato paste instead of chunky ingredients.

Best Substitutes For Beans In Chili That You Can Use (2021)

FAQ

What can I add to chili instead of beans?

Replacing up to 2 cups chopped vegetables is a great choice and one of the best substitutes – Cauliflower florets, broccoli florets, bell pepper, white or portobello mushrooms, sweet peas or split peas, carrots, zucchini or butternut squash.

What is a good substitute for pinto beans in chili?

Great northern beans are popular white beans used in a variety of dishes. Great northern beans are larger than other white beans but smaller than pinto beans. The two beans are similar in flavor and consistency, making them an ideal pinto beans substitute.

What is a low carb substitute for beans in chili?

Most beans are too high in carbohydrates for the keto diet, but some may be a good fit — namely, green beans, lupin beans, and black soybeans. You can also consider some alternatives to beans for recipes like chili and soup, such as mushrooms, eggplant, squash, or sausage.