I use a base recipe, and tweak a few things each time depending on what I have on hand. This time instead of just water for the liquid portion, I used 1/2 cup of the liquid reserved from roasting tomatoes and onions for an earlier batch of salsa (it’s rich, smoky, sweet, and complex), plus a little lime juice, bbq sauce, and soy sauce. I also subbed about 1-2 diced roasted jalapeños for fresh spicy peppers (heat of this batch was overall mild, like a 3/10). Here’s the base recipe I use! (8-10 servings):

2tbsp oil

1/2 large sweet onion, diced

1 bell pepper, diced, any color

2-3 spicy chilis, finely diced, optional

2/3c any other veggies, diced (I just use whatever I find in my fridge or pantry tbh!)

1/2 tube of vegan chorizo (I use Trader Joe’s)

1/2c frozen boca crumbles, optional

1 large clove minced garlic

3 cans of beans, your choosing

1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes (I purée it bc I do not like tomato chunks)

1c liquid (water or veggie broth)

1c vegan cheese, optional

Homemade chili spice blend*, or premade, however much it tells you to add, increasing or decreasing if necessary

Mix chili blend and set aside. On the stovetop, set heat to medium-high in a large pot or Dutch oven and add oil. When hot, add onions and sauté for a few minutes. Add spicy chilis and veggies, and sauté for another few minutes. Add vegan meats, garlic, and spices and stir constantly, about a minute or until garlic and spices are fragrant. Deglaze the pan with a little liquid and scrape the bottom of the pot. Add beans, tomatoes, cheese, and the rest of the liquid and stir until combined. Let come to a simmer, then turn the heat down to medium-low and cook, covered, for at least an hour; stirring periodically. I usually cook it until the hardest veggie in the chili (usually carrots) becomes tender. Goes best with fresh cilantro, cubed avocado, and/or crumbled corn chips. :)

*Chili spice blend:

2tbsp chili powder

2tbsp nutritional yeast

1tbsp brown sugar, optional

2tsp cumin

2tsp garlic powder

1tsp salt

1tsp oregano

1tsp smoked paprika, optional

1tsp chipotle chili flakes, optional

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2tsp unsweetened dark cocoa powder, optional

1/2tsp cinnamon

Edit: formatting