“Clean out the Fridge” Vegetable Chili

“Clean out the Fridge” Vegetable Chili starring all the veggies in the fridge! This plant-based soup is perfect to clean out your fridge and meal prep. 

Does it ever happen to you that the projects you embark on with the least effort turn out the best?

It happened to me recently with my “Clean out the Fridge” Vegetable Chili, a wonderfully quirky blend of unexpected veg and flavors.

Spooning velvety chunks of rainbow veggies and beans into my mouth, I decided that this this soup is by far the best chili I’ve made yet.

I’m sure this isn’t the first time you’ve thought about chili this week. The cold front and last minute snow storm that hit most of the country has everyone reaching one last time for their crockpot and oven mitts.

But friends, have you ever tried cleaning out the fridge with your chili?

Clean Out the Fridge With Chili

If you’re like me, you might collect colorful veggies like beanie babies back in the day, and sort of loose track of how many you have and where they’re hiding.

Veggie hoarders, this “Clean out the Fridge” Chili is is for you, and if you don’t share that malady (lucky you!), I’m confident you can find something fresh in your fridge that needs extra love.

Sometimes I get caught up in the recipe and forget the art of well, throwing things together.

It always baffles me how the times I think less about ingredients or photos, the end result seems tastier, and more authentically me.

This is a fail proof chili recipe that you can whip up on a Sunday, during a snowstorm, or when the fridge seems barren.

Because we all have a few straggler veggies abandoned in the bottom of our fridge and dusty cans of beans in the cabinet, yes?

I’m a believer that vegetable chili doesn’t get enough love.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve delighted at finding a vegan vegetable chili on the menu somewhere, only to be disappointed when it appears in front of me, a steaming pile of beans, beans, and more beans.

Oh, and a pepper and onion or two if you look hard enough.

Believe me, I’ve got nothing against beans, and this recipe doesn’t lack for bean-y protein, it just keeps them in check with the rainbow.

I like my beans with a side of colors, please.

What You Need to Make Clean Out the Fridge Vegetable Chili 

Here’s what you need: 

• veggie broth
• white onion
• bell pepper
• carrots
• celery
• beans (kidney, black, pinto)
• diced tomatoes
• Himalayan sea salt
• chili powder
• cumin
• cinnamon
• salsa

That’s it! 

Swaps and Substitutions

For my “Clean out the Fridge” Vegetable Chili, I dug out a bell pepper, three carrots, two stalks of celery, and one white onion.

Choose whatever you have on hand, and don’t be afraid to get creative!

I can’t think of a veggie that couldn’t potentially be great in chili.

Make sure that your total veggie count is 4-6 cups total, to achieve the chunky effect pictured.

I like my chili chunky, but this is your “Clean out the Fridge” Vegetable Chili, so make it yours!

For a thinner consistency, add more water or vegetable broth.

I’m loving keeping my soups oil-free lately; it’s so easy to sub veggie broth for oil in the initial steps because you already have that veggie broth out!

How to Serve “Clean Out the Fridge” Vegetable Chili

The “secret” ingredient in this chili is another item I bet you have somewhere in the recesses of your fridge.

“Where’s the salsa?” Dan will ask, and I swear every time it’s in the very very back of the second shelf, pushed behind containers of yogurt and Tupperware and more readily used condiments. So, salsa.

I added about 1/2 cup, but if you’re skeptical, start with less.

It conveniently adds both heat and flavor in one easy addition.

I topped mine with green onion, cilantro, fresh squeeze lime, and diced red onion.

Some other excellent toppings are vegan cream cheese, vegan shredded cheese, and avocado.

More Vegan Soup Recipes

• 5-Spice Squash & Chickpea Stew

• Green Coconut Curry with Cauliflower Rice

• Detox Zoodle Soup

• Vegan Chocolate Chili

• Chickpea & Wild Rice Soup

• Lentil Tomato Soup

• Black Bean Quinoa Chili

• The Quickest Vegan Curry

• Roasted Pumpkin & Vegetable Soup

• Heart Beet Soup

• Spicy Tempeh Bell Pepper Chili

• Curried Chickpea Apricot Stew

• Chunky Chickpea Noodle Soup

• Everyday Carrot Lentil Soup

• 1-Pot Vegetable Minestrone

I Want to Hear From You

If you make a “Clean out the Fridge” Vegetable Chili of your own, I’d love to hear what you think and what veggies you thew in!

Be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and review so I can use your feedback to create more yums.

Give me a shout on Instagram and use #floraandvino to show me your creations.

Check out my Pinterest page to pin more recipes like this one to make later.

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XO Lauren

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