This ultra-satisfying Bulgur Chili recipe is brimming with hearty bulgur, beans, and vegetables. It's easy to prepare with nourishing ingredients. Plus you can leave it mild or make it spicy! (Vegan, oil-free.)

Vegan bulgur chili served in a white bowl with fresh cilantro on a wooden table

This meatless bulgur chili is incredibly simple and so satisfying!

It features hearty beans, tender bulgur, warm spices, and a variety of colorful vegetables for lots of plant-based nutrients. It's equal parts nourishing and comforting!

Best of all, you can customize it however you please. Just swap in your favorite veggies or beans. The recipe is mild as written, but see tips below on how to spice it up if you'd like!

Close up view of bulgur ingredient with metal spoon

What is Bulgur?

Bulgur wheat is a whole grain made from parboiled, cracked groats of several different wheat species. (Therefore it's not a gluten-free grain.)

Nutrients: It contains protein, fiber, and several vitamins and minerals.

Different sizes: You can find it in a variety of grinds from fine, medium, coarse, and extra-coarse. (I use a medium or coarse grind for this recipe.)

Meat substitute: Bulgur is a great substitute for the ground beef or meat in traditional chili because it thickens up the texture and makes it so cozy and hearty. It's a great option for vegan and vegetarian chili.

Kidney beans, onion, garlic, green bell pepper, zucchini, sweet corn, tomatoes, and spice ingredients laid out on a metal tray

Ingredients for Bulgur Chili

For this recipe, you'll simmer in a large pot on the stove:

Yellow onion: Or substitute white onion or sweet onion instead.
Green bell pepper: I like the flavor of green pepper best in this chili, but you can use orange, yellow, or red bell pepper instead.
Fresh garlic cloves: Or substitute a teaspoon or two of dried garlic powder instead.
Zucchini: Or you can use yellow summer squash if desired.
Sweet corn: Either canned, frozen, fire-roasted, or fresh works great. I use organic corn whenever possible. Most often I use a 15-ounce can or frozen corn.
Kidney beans: I like kidney beans best with this recipe, but you can swap in pinto beans or black beans if desired.
Bulgur: I use a medium or coarse grind for this recipe.
Canned diced tomatoes: Either regular diced tomatoes or fire-roasted.
Tomato sauce: You'll need a 15-ounce can tomato sauce (not marinara).
Vegetable broth: Be sure to use low sodium if preferred.
Chili powder + ground cumin + smoked paprika: This recipe is mostly mild if using a mild chili powder. You could also include other spices or herbs like dried oregano.

Overhead view of preparing bulgur vegetable chili ingredients in a large pot before stirring together

Customizing

Make it spicy: Add jalapeño, cayenne pepper, chipotle in adobo sauce, more chili powder, or hot sauce to taste.

Omit the zucchini: Feel free to leave out the zucchini and replace with another can of beans such as black beans, pinto beans, or kidney beans. You could also include potatoes, sweet potato, or butternut squash.

Make it gluten-free: Bulgur isn't a gluten-free grain, so you could replace it with rice or quinoa if desired. A sweet reader named Jennifer also reported success using millet which is a fantastic idea!

A soup ladle lifting up bulgur chili cooking in a large pot

Serving

Serve this chili as it is, or garnish your bowl with your favorite toppings. A few ideas include:

Avocado (my favorite!)
Crumbled tortilla chips
Fresh cilantro
Green onions (scallions)
Vegan shredded cheese
Vegan sour cream
Hot sauce

Storing

Once it cools, store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I find it keeps well in the fridge for 4-5 days. Reheat in the microwave when ready to enjoy. (Just a note that the chili continues to thicken as it sits and the bulgur soaks up more liquid.)

Close up view of bulgur vegetable chili in a white serving bowl on a wooden table

For more inspiration, also browse all vegan soup & chili recipes.

Bulgur Vegetable Chili (Easy!)

This ultra-satisfying meatless chili is brimming with hearty bulgur, beans, and vegetables. It's easy to prepare and great served with avocado!

5 from 6 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Comment

Prep Time: 30

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 45

Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Oil-Free, Vegan

Servings: 6 large bowls

Ingredients

1 yellow onion
1 green bell pepper
1 medium zucchini
4 cloves garlic
1 1/2 cups sweet corn
3 cups vegetable broth
15 oz. can tomato sauce
15 oz. can diced tomatoes (or fire-roasted)
2/3 cup bulgur
15 oz. can kidney beans
1 Tbsp. chili powder (or more)
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

Instructions

Dice the onion and bell pepper. Dice the zucchini and set aside.
In a stockpot over medium-high heat, sauté the onion and bell pepper for 7-8 minutes. (I use 3 Tbsp. water/broth for no-oil sauté method, adding more as needed.)
Meanwhile, mince the garlic.
When the onion is translucent, add garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin. Stir and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
Add the zucchini, sweet corn, broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, bulgur, and kidney beans (rinsed and drained).
Bring to a light boil. Then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until bulgur is cooked.
Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with any desired toppings.

Notes

For serving: Add avocado, crumbled tortilla chips, fresh cilantro, vegan shredded cheese, vegan sour cream, or hot sauce.

Make it spicy: This chili is mostly mild as written, so heat it up with more chili powder, jalapeño, cayenne pepper, chipotle in adobo sauce, or hot sauce.

Thickness: The chili will continue to thicken as it sits.

Yield: Recipe makes about 10 cups chili.

Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

Nutrition Facts

Bulgur Vegetable Chili (Easy!)

Amount per Serving

Calories

207

% Daily Value*

Fat

Saturated Fat

0.3

Polyunsaturated Fat

Monounsaturated Fat

0.3

Potassium

862

Carbohydrates

Fiber

Sugar

Protein

Vitamin A

1282

Vitamin C

Calcium

Iron

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Sodium content: This is omitted as I cannot provide an accurate number. I encourage you to calculate your own to provide a much more precise reading based on the exact ingredients, brands, and amounts you're using.

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Bulgur Vegetable Chili (Easy!)

What is Bulgur?

Ingredients for Bulgur Chili

Customizing

Serving

Storing