The ultimate one-pot vegan chili even carnivores crave

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• Aromatics first: Sweat onions, garlic, and bell peppers slowly in olive oil until they’re golden.
• Spice bloom: Don’t just sprinkle in chili powder—toast your cumin, smoked paprika, and ancho chili powder in the oil before liquids go in.
• Umami booster: Add a tablespoon of tomato paste and let it caramelize. A splash of soy sauce or tamari takes it even further.
• Kidney beans for that classic bite
• Black beans for creaminess
• Green or brown lentils to mimic the ground-meat texture
• Mushrooms finely chopped, which add a meaty chew and soak up spice
• Sweet potato or butternut squash for natural sweetness that tempers the heat