Vegan Butternut Squash Chili

Butternut Squash Chili in a bowl with sprig of cilantro t the side

Print Recipe

5 from 11 votes

Sweet and spicy butternut squash chili – ohhh so delicious!

Course: main course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: corn-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-fee, plant based, soy-free, sugar-free, vegan, wheat-free, yeast-free

Servings: servings

Calories: 206kcal

Author: Judy DeLorenzo

Equipment

soup pot
skillet
blender or potato masher

Ingredients

1 medium butternut squash, cubed (about 10 cups)
6 cups veggie broth, low sodium
1 small fennel bulb
2 Tablespoon olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
10 ounces white beech mushrooms, see photos and instructions below (or other mushrooms of your choice, diced)
1 jalapeño pepper, minced
1-1/2 teaspoons cumin
1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1-1/2 teaspoons ancho chili powder
1-1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon Himalayan sea salt
3 Tablespoons tomato paste
1 (15-ounce) can unsalted butter beans (baby limas), rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can unsalted black beans, rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can unsalted red kidney beans, rinsed
4 roasted red peppers, diced, for garnish
Cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

Peel the butternut squash, scoop out the seeds with a grapefruit spoon, and cut into 1-inch cubes. Put the cubes into a large soup pot with the veggie broth. Mostly cover the pot and bring to a simmer; cook until the squash is fork tender. Stir occasionally and adjust the heat if necessary to keep it at a gentle simmer.
In the meantime, prepare the fennel as follows; you'll only be using the bulb. Cut the stems from the bulb and slice off a bit of the base. Remove any wilted or tough outer layers. The fronds and stems don't have to be discarded. You can save them for another recipe.
Cut the bulb in half, then cut each half into thin slices.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat with a bit of onion. When it begins to gently sizzle, add the remaining onion and mushrooms; cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes, or until softened.
Add the fennel and jalapeño to the skillet and cook, stirring often, for another few minutes.
Add the spices, salt, and tomato paste to the skillet; stir and cook for about 30 more seconds.
When the squash is tender, remove 4 cups and blend or mash well. Return the blended/mashed squash back to the soup pot.
Also add the cooked veggies and beans to the soup pot and heat everything through.
When serving, garnish each bowl with roasted peppers and cilantro.

Notes

As an option, dollop each bowl with coconut milk yogurt or almond milk yogurt before garnishing
Or add a dollop of Creamy Dill Sauce and Dressing
I find that this chili is even better the next day

Optional Omnivore Variation – After all of the ingredients are combined, ladle the omnivore's portion into another pot. Add cooked and drained ground beef or turkey to the omnivore's chili and heat through. Serve and garnish per main recipe.

Nutrition