Vegetarian Soup, Stew, and Chili Recipes (2024)

Chilly nights (and even not-so-chilly ones) call for a comforting bowl of something warm and filling. These vegan and vegetarian soup, stew and chili recipesare packed with veggies, and many are perfect for freezing in batches.

Recipe Title: 30-Minute Vegetarian Pho

Description: This vegetarian pho is the perfect weeknight meal. It's ready in 30 minutes—pho real.

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Recipe Title: African Peanut Soup

Description: Fresh cilantro, chile peppers and coconut milk make this vegan African Peanut Soup absolutely breathtaking—and addictive.

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Recipe Title: Creamy Wild Rice & Mushroom Soup

Description: No ham, turkey or bacon here. This vegetarian wild rice soup is creamy, but much lighter than the traditional Midwestern recipe.

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Recipe Title: Cauliflower and Chickpea Coconut Curry

Description: There are only two ways to make a vegan coconut curry better: cauliflower and chickpeas.

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Recipe Title: Vegetarian Chicken Noodle Soup

Description: No one should miss out on this classic—especially not during cold and flu season. This vegetarian chicken noodle soup is just as comforting.

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Recipe Title: Veggie-Loaded Chili

Description: Let this be your new standby vegan chili recipe. It's full of veggies and freezes well.

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Description: There are so many ways to use chickpeas, but this is one of our favorites. This vegan chickpea stew also includes black beans, allspice and thyme for a healthy, Caribbean weeknight dish.

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Recipe Title: Middle Eastern Lentil & Rice Soup

Description: This lentil and rice soup is full of Middle Eastern flavors like lemon, cumin and coriander.

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Recipe Title: Fresh Corn Soup with Herbed Croutons

Description: Nothing could top this fresh, vegan corn soup—except maybe these herbed sourdough croutons. The light broth is made by simmering the corn cobs in thyme-infused water!

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Recipe Title: Vegan Cincinnati Chili

Description: Why, yes you can create a healthier, vegan Cincinnati chili—and here's the proof! Lentils, whole wheat spaghetti and vegan cheese make it possible.

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Recipe Title: Chickpeas and Dumplings

Description: Chicken and dumplings is a staple of winter, so this vegetarian version (made with chickpeas) will definitely hit the spot, even on the coldest of nights.

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Recipe Title: Thai Red Curry Soup

Description: A vegan curry soup that's ready in 25 minutes? Sounds like you have a new go-to weeknight meal.

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Recipe Title: Roasted Acorn Squash Soup

Description: What to do with all those acorn squash? Make soup, of course. This lovely fall soup is vegan, thanks to almond milk.

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Recipe Title: Vegetarian Irish Stew with Sweet Potatoes & Tempeh

Description: A meat-and-potatoes stew for the vegetarian set.

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Recipe Title: Leek & Wild Mushroom Stew

Description: Leeks and buckwheat groats make this vegan mushroom stew extra hearty.

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Recipe Title: Slow Cooker Vegetarian Gumbo

Description: Sure, a vegetarian gumbo made in the slow cooker isn't necessarily authentic. But it's a great meatless version for those who can't live without this Southern classic.

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Recipe Title: Creamy Mushroom + Roasted Garlic Soup

Description: Roasted garlic makes this soup fragrant and delicious!

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Recipe Title: Red Lentil Cashew Soup with Curry Toasted Cashews

Description: Cashews and lentils make this soup creamy without using dairy.

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Recipe Title: Vegetable Lasagna Soup

Description: It's veggie lasagna in a bowl! The perfect winter dinner.

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Vegetarian Soup, Stew, and Chili Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between soup stew and chili? ›

Though many people think of chili as its own category, it is technically just a type of stew, with origins in Tex-Mex cuisine. Chili isn't a soup mostly because it usually is more solid than it is liquid, with most chili recipes containing majority meat and/or vegetables that are simmered in a tomato sauce.

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What is the difference between soup and stew? ›

Soup Uses More Liquid

In soup, the liquid is the primary ingredient. Soup can be completely liquified or it can consist of other elements (like meat and vegetables) that are fully submerged in water, stock, or broth. Stew, meanwhile, is typically "chunkier." It contains just enough liquid to cover the main ingredients.

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What are the best beans for chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

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What makes a stew chili? ›

A stew is a dish made (usually) with meat or fish, and vegetables, cooked by simmering until done. There are lots of stews, with perhaps Beef Stew being the best known. Chili is a type of stew, usually made with meat or perhaps beans and chile, and it's simmered until done.

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At what point does a soup become a stew? ›

A soup could become a stew if cooked long enough that most of the liquid boils off or is absorbed by the ingredients. Or you could add more liquid to a stew to make it soupier.

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Is Gumbo a soup or a stew? ›

Gumbo is a hearty stew made from combinations of seafood, meat (such as andouille, chicken and ham) or vegetables that's served hot over cooked rice. Gumbo can be thickened with okra, file, or a roux, a French and Creole method of cooking equal parts flour and fat.

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What makes a stew not a soup? ›

Both soup and stew are a combination of vegetables, meat, or fish cooked in liquid. The main difference between these two dishes is the amount of liquid that's used for each, with stews generally containing less liquid than soup.

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What thickens soups and stews? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

You can thicken soup by adding flour, cornstarch, or another starchy substitute. For the best results, never add flour or cornstarch directly to your soup. If you do, it will clump up on top. Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool.

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What makes a stew a stew and not a soup? ›

Amount of liquid: Soup typically contains more liquid than stew, as it has a higher ratio of liquid to other ingredients, such as meat, vegetables or legumes. Stew usually has just enough liquid to cover the ingredients and has less liquid than soup. Technique: Soup is made by simmering ingredients in liquid uncovered.

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Does Gordon Ramsay put beans in chili? ›

Gordon Ramsay's recipe for chili con carne includes onion, a red chili pepper, fresh tomatoes, and kidney beans. Ramsay's chili recipe is lengthy — it includes everything from ground cumin and sweet paprika to a cinnamon stick, ground beef or beef mince, and garlic.

Which onion is best for chili? ›

Sweet onions are great for caramelizing due to their higher sugar content. You can cook them into your chili, serve them raw over top, or even elevate your chili with a sophisticated caramelized onion topping! Some of my favorite sweet onions are Walla, Walla, Maui, and Vidalia Onions.

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What beans do you drain for chili? ›

Common choices are kidney beans, pinto beans, or black beans. Simply rinse and drain canned beans before adding them to the chili during the last half hour of cooking. Beans not only add a hearty texture but also increase the fiber content of your chili, making it even more filling and nutritious.

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Is stew the same as chili? ›

Chili is considered a type of stew because of its low liquid content and is usually made with chilis or chili powder.

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Does chili qualify as a soup? ›

Ultimately, there are still plenty of mixed opinions on chili in the culinary world. Some chefs will tell you it's a soup, while some will argue that it's a stew. However, we've found that the dominant opinion is that chili, in all its spicy glory, is something else entirely.

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Is chili soupy or thick? ›

Traditionally, we expect a robust, spicy base, meat and/or beans, perhaps some bonus veggies, and a thick, rich consistency. Unlike soups, which are brothy, or even bisques, which are creamy yet thinner, chili is meant to be more stew-like; it's a definite stick-to-your-ribs creation.

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Why is a stew called stew and not soup? ›

Stews are meant to be cooked a long time over low heat, sometimes even in the oven. Soups are boiled at some point in the process. Stews were a way to prepare tough cuts of meat that wouldn't become tender with boiling.

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