Dad’s Kickin’ Vegan Chili

This recipe has been a staple in my family for several years now. My dad sent me his recipe for chili over 10 years ago, and over time I’ve made little tweaks here and there, but ultimately it is still Dad’s Kickin’ Vegan Chili. This one is hearty, filling, full of vegetables, and perfect for a winter day.

One thing I love about this recipe is it can be as easy as you want. In its easiest iteration, you cut up a few vegetables, open a few cans, and throw it all in a pot. You can also make this more of a slow food dish too, if you want to cut down on cans and cook everything a bit longer.

What Makes Dad’s Kickin’ Vegan Chili Revolutionary?

1. Future 50 Foods – Black Beans and Kidney Beans

Black beans and kidney beans both make it onto the Future 50 Food list, meaning they’ve been identified as some of the best and healthiest ways to limit our harmful impact on the environment.

The report notes that sprouted kidney beans are especially high in nutrition. Sprouting beans (and nuts and seeds) makes it easier for your body to digest and absorb the nutrition these foods provide (Source). Stay tuned for an upcoming post on how to sprout your food!

2. Dad’s Kickin’ Vegan Chili is Vegan!

I’ve found that people that are new to plant-based eating absolutely love this chili. Many omnivores worry that they won’t be “full” after a vegan meal, but I find this one shuts that fear down. It’s so hearty and delicious that I’ve had many a meat-eatin’ friends say they prefer this to the beef variety.

If you’re concerned about your environmental footprint, it is especially important to reduce (or eliminate) your beef consumption. Beef and lamb have the highest emissions of anything humans consume for food (Meat Eater’s Guide to Climate Change and Health). Beef accounts for a staggering 41% of all agricultural emissions (FAO Report). Dad’s Kickin’ Vegan Chili still has tons of protein and flavor, with a much lower environmental cost.

3. Fair Trade Ingredients

a. Fair Trade Spices

The key to a great chili is great seasonings. This recipe calls for Fair Trade cumin, chili powder, and cinnamon (my secret ingredient!). These spices often come from places where labor laws are not particularly strong, so it’s important to look into the labor practices of the companies that sell these products. See my Foods to Buy Fair Trade guide for more information.

I have had trouble finding spices in the United States that are certified with a Fair Trade label. Frontier Co-Op has a wide selection of Fair Trade certified spices and seasonings, available to purchase online.

Beyond their certified fair trade products, Frontier Co-Op is committed through its Well Earth program to sourcing sustainable and socially responsible products. Therefore, if I can’t find a certified Fair Trade seasoning, I still try to go with one of their brands (Frontier Co-Op brand or Simply Organic brand). I can also find Simply Organic in some stores near me.

b. Fair Trade Vegetables

Now, one thing in this recipe that can be problematic from a human rights perspective is bell peppers and tomatoes. Both of these vegetables are grown in warm climates or in warm months. In the U.S. our bell peppers and tomatoes often come from Mexico. Mexico’s worker protections are not always great. Workers in Mexico can face severe and violent consequences if they advocate for their rights (Example).

You can look for fresh bell peppers and tomatoes from places with better labor laws (like California or Washington). Alternatively, you can try to find a market that sources these fairly. I usually like to buy bell peppers and tomatoes fresh, partly for flavor and partly because they aren’t wrapped in plastic, but this recipe calls for canned tomatoes and you have the option of using frozen bell peppers. See if you have identify where your bell peppers and tomatoes were grown!

One last note. Bell peppers are a great item to grow yourself if you have a garden. You can chop them up and freeze them on a cookie sheet for later use in the winter months! Once frozen, put them in airtight, freezer-safe container.

I hope you enjoy this recipe for Dad’s Kickin’ Vegan Chili!