Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (2024)

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By Jessica Krock | | Main Dishes, Recipes, Soups

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Well, Brian has done it again! He’s been experimenting in the kitchen a lot lately (especially with soups and stews) and he came up with what is now my favorite thing he’s ever made.

Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (2)

If you’ve tried Brian’s “Super Tasty Vegan Chili,” you already know that he knocked it out of the park with that one. But I think this one might be even better!

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The ingredient list is a bit shorter for this chili. He started out by sautéing some yellow onion and minced garlic and then added in cocoa powder, chili powder and tomato paste. Yes, you read correctly… cocoa powder! Just trust us – it adds a very nice, rich depth to this chili.

Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (3)

Up next we have kidney beans (we like the no salt added kind from Whole Foods), fire roasted diced tomatoes, oat groats, vegetable stock (we make ours with Better Than Bouillon) and low sodium Tamari.

Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (4)

You may or may not be familiar with oat groats. I first learned about these from Brittany Jaroudi (check out her video here), but we hadn’t tried them out until Brian came up with this recipe.

So what the heck are they? Oat groats are whole grains that include the cereal germ, the bran, and the endosperm of the grain. They can be a bit more difficult to find, but we were able to get them from the bulk bins at our local Whole Foods. You can also purchase them on Amazon (links below).

Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (5)

After you gather the ingredients, this recipe comes together in just a few quick steps!

Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (6)

Brian likes to let it simmer for at least an hour to make sure the oat groats get cooked.

Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (7)

This recipe is truly the perfect way to celebrate the beginning of fall! It has such a rich, earthy flavor and the oat groats add a really nice bite.

Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (8)

Check out the video here and get the full recipe below.

Brian’s Awesome Weird Vegan Chili

  • Difficulty: easy
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Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (9)

by Krocks In The Kitchen

Ingredients

  • – 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • – 1 Tbsp minced garlic (about 2-3 cloves)
  • – 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
  • – 2 Tbsp chili powder *see note
  • – 1 x 6oz can tomato paste (no salt added if possible)
  • – 2 x 15oz cans kidney beans (drained and rinsed; no salt added if possible)
  • – 2 x 14.5oz cans diced tomatoes (no salt added if possible; we use fire roasted)
  • – 1 cup oat groats, rinsed
  • – 2 cups reduced sodium vegetable broth (we used 2 cups of hot water combined with 2 tsp Better Than Bouillon)
  • – 2 Tbsp low sodium Tamari, soy sauce or liquid aminos

Directions

  1. Heat a large pot or dutch oven to medium/medium high.
  2. Water sauté diced onion until soft and translucent, adding a splash of water as necessary if they start to stick.
  3. Add in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
  4. Add cocoa powder, chili powder, and a splash of water. Stir to combine.
  5. Add tomato paste and stir.
  6. Add remaining ingredients (beans, diced tomatoes, oat groats, vegetable broth and Tamari).
  7. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Makes 4 servings.

*NOTE: The chili powder we use is a blend, not straight chili. It generally is not very spicy and usually contains a mix of chili pepper, cumin, oregano, coriander, garlic, etc. We linked to our favorite one below.


I can’t wait for you to try this one out! I know I’ll be eating a ton of this chili during the fall months and into winter. It honestly makes me so happy and just warms my soul. 😊

Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (10)
Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (11)
Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (12)
Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (13)

Featured Products:

PLEASE NOTE: If you choose to purchase any products through these links, we receive a small commission from each sale at NO extra cost to you. All proceeds go back into making more content.

Check out our Amazon Page to see more of our favorite products!

Mueller Austria Onion Chopper Pro Vegetable Chopper
GF Harvest Gluten Free Organic Oat Groats, 5 lbs
Yupik Organic Oat Groats, 2.2 Pound
Simply Organic Chili Powder, Certified Organic | Pack of 3
Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa, 8 Ounce
365 Everyday Value, Organic Tomato Paste, No Salt Added, 6 oz
365 Everyday Value, Dark Red Kidney Beans, No Salt Added, 15.5 oz
Muir Glen, Organic Diced Fire Roasted Tomatoes, 14.5 oz
Better Than Bouillon Organic Vegetable Base 16 Oz, Reduced Sodium

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29 Responses to Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free)

  1. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (14)Cindy says:

    October 1, 2020 at 9:16 am

    Just made this, really delicious and I have a new purpose for the oat groats I’ve bought. Because where I live (the Netherlands) there aren’t any fire roasted tomato’s in supermarkets, I added a tiny bit of smoked paprika.

    Reply

  2. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (15)Carla says:

    October 2, 2020 at 6:27 pm

    I wish the recipes were something you can print out Without using all your ink for pictures etc. Like Jaroudi Family. Also I drove right thru your town and waved two weeks ago.

    Reply

  3. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (17)Mary says:

    October 3, 2020 at 6:23 am

    Would cacao powder work instead of cocoa powder? I have cacao but not cocoa.

    Reply

    • Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (18)Jay says:

      October 10, 2020 at 10:57 pm

      Check the ingredients, read the label. Cacao could be just a hot drink mix with additives. It would not work for this.

      Reply

  4. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (19)April says:

    October 3, 2020 at 9:23 pm

    I saw the video the other day and couldn’t wait to make this! I can’t resist weird! I have used oat groats in the past, but don’t have any at the moment. I used steel cut instead and it came out great. I also made it in the instant pot. Thanks for the fun recipe. My family and I enjoyed it.

    Reply

  5. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (20)Tami Palladino says:

    October 3, 2020 at 11:11 pm

    I made this today and it is really yummy! The chocolate really makes it and the oat groats, too. Thanks! I used the Instant Pot on saute’ for the onions and such and then and cooked it on manual for 30 minutes. Perfect.

    Reply

  6. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (21)Dave says:

    October 5, 2020 at 6:15 pm

    Steel-cut oats work great with this, too

    Reply

  7. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (22)Kathi says:

    October 5, 2020 at 6:27 pm

    Good job! I’m making it now. I couldn’t find my oat groats, so I used barley, very similar. I do like to chew they add. I can’t taste the cocoa, so that was a good addition. I was going to make veggie soup, but saw this just in time! Thanks.

    Reply

  8. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (23)Maureen says:

    October 6, 2020 at 11:18 am

    I just made this and it is very good, but I do prefer Brian’s Super Tasty Vegan Chili.

    Reply

  9. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (24)Mike says:

    October 6, 2020 at 9:43 pm

    Brian, are you aware that Low sodium Better Than Bullion has 350 mg of sodium per tsp? And with the Tamari that would be a delicious amount of salty goodness in your recipe. I’m going to make your chili tomorrow. I’ll be going much lighter on the sodium but I’m sure it will still be good. Thank you.

    Reply

  10. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (25)Alice says:

    I had everything on hand except oat groats, (no Whole Foods near me), but I couldn’t wait to try this. I used black and pinto beans, because that’s what I had and I loved it. I added some cauliflower “crumbles” after it was cooked, but it was so good without them. My new chili recipe from now on. Maybe I’ll try to find those groats or try farro or brown rice, but it’s perfect without them. Reminds me of a very, very good mole.

    Reply

  11. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (26)Jody says:

    October 13, 2020 at 11:10 pm

    Sadly, this one just didn’t work for me. It just tasted like tomato. We tried adding a variety of classic spices to add more flavor but just couldn’t get it there. My guess is that both the fire roasted tomatoes and the specific type of chili powder make a difference. Maybe the brand of cocoa too? Hard to say for sure. Keep it up, though, Brian… we all appreciate you sharing the recipes. You two have been the inspiration for me to stick out the first couple of weeks when it is important to just keep looking for your staple recipes.

    Reply

  12. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (27)Seth says:

    October 14, 2020 at 1:52 pm

    Yep, you’ve done it again, Brian. Another delicious dish that goes immediately on my “staples” list. The cocoa and chili are wonderful, but what really makes the dish is the added texture of the oat groats. This lifestyle is so much easier to maintain when there are interesting textures (e.g., the appeal of dried fruit). This dish has both texture and taste. Thank you!

    Reply

  13. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (28)Valerie says:

    October 16, 2020 at 4:03 pm

    My hersheys cocoa says 100% cacao on the containet

    Reply

  14. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (29)Melanie says:

    October 17, 2020 at 3:04 pm

    This was delicious! I doubled the recipe and added carrots and celery to boost the veggies. Even my 11 year old picky eater loved it. She asked for more oat groats next time. I will definitely add this to my regular meals. Thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply

  15. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (30)Rose Lankford says:

    October 18, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    This is the best chili I’ve ever had!

    Reply

  16. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (31)Debbie P says:

    October 24, 2020 at 10:04 pm

    I made this chili today and just ate a bowl. It was good! I cooked in a bit of chipotle powder(wanted some heat), and smoked paprika, and then threw in sweet corn when I dished it up. Celery sticks were a nice compliment. It all made for a yummy dinner on a cold Fall evening. Thank you! I wish I knew how to post my photo!

    Reply

  17. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (32)Pattipureheart says:

    October 25, 2020 at 7:18 pm

    Hi Jessica & Brian, I love this chilli. I didn’t have oat groats but I have a Costco bag of steel cut oats. So I used a cup of rinsed steel cut oats and it’s absolutely delicious! The smaller oat gives it a real ground texture. The flavour is amazing! thanks so much. Oh and I added just a tablespoon of chipotle pepper. Mmmmm good.

    Reply

  18. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (33)Pat Rolen says:

    October 28, 2020 at 10:08 am

    I made this chili and it was really good! But having won many chili cookoffs in Houston with my Turkey Chili I had to add some additions. (BTW – I was born & raised in STL) My additions were:
    Added lager beer – the alcohol cooks off
    Chipolte pepper – whole, remove after simmering
    Better than Bouillion – Garlic
    DO NOT USE FRESH KIDNEY BEANS – TOO HARD
    Date paste
    Simmer for 2-3 hours then refrigerate for the flavor to meld fully
    The oats groats give it a full body texture
    Let chili powder cook at least 2 minutes stirring to bloom flavor

    Reply

  19. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (34)Mary Cipolla says:

    October 28, 2020 at 11:04 pm

    Made your awesome Chili tonight. Nothing weird about it, just so delicious. I added some sweet potatoes. This will be a staple all winter long.

    Reply

  20. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (35)Brandilynn Moran says:

    November 18, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    OAT GROATS ROCK SOXXX!!!! They are so nice and chewy. I use them in chili toooo! Glad to meectha Krocks!

    Reply

  21. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (36)Dee says:

    December 10, 2020 at 2:21 am

    I went back over the recipe to see what I did wrong. It tastes dark and dull, which suprised me. I don’t know what happened. I added a little cholula and lemon juice and a tsp of maple syrup to my bowl, so that I can experiment one bowl at a time and that helped. I did use farro instead of groats….could that be the problem? Or maybe it’s my new plant based taste buds aren’t matured yet ? LOL
    I love your videos and your fun together.

    Reply

  22. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (37)Sheryl in NJ says:

    December 10, 2020 at 4:51 pm

    I’ve eaten a lot of chili in my day, I figured ‘how different can this one be?’ It is wonderful, it is now my fave chili recipe and I thank you for doing all the work to tweak it etc. perfection!

    Reply

  23. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (38)Cathy R says:

    December 20, 2020 at 3:07 pm

    I love this recipe and make it all the time!

    Reply

  24. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (39)Carmina and Billy says:

    February 9, 2021 at 8:44 pm

    I made this chili for my son and husband. They LOVED it! In fact, I think they liked it better than Brian’s other chili recipe, which we’ve been eating and enjoying on a regular basis now for about six months now. We top it with the Brand New Vegan cheese sauce that you introduced us to in your other video, and it feels like we’re eating cheese. Thank you for the heads up about the chili powder; it was super helpful. Good idea about the green onions on top Jessica! It was the PERFECT garnish! I also let it slow cook longer than an hour, and I feel it tastes better the next day 🙂 THANKS A MILLION TO YOU BOTH!!!

    Reply

  25. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (40)petra says:

    June 22, 2021 at 10:54 am

    I should have read the note. Thankfully I also made one without the chili powder

    Reply

  26. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (41)Lyne says:

    January 9, 2022 at 7:54 pm

    Hello! Thank you so much for testing and sharing your recipes. I am making this chilli recipe, except I didn’t have any wheat grouts. I really wanted to try that. I will get some grouts and be ready for the next time.
    Cheers,

    Reply

  27. Recipe: Brian’s NEW Awesome Weird Vegan Chili (Plant-Based, Oil-Free) (42)Pam says:

    June 29, 2022 at 5:57 pm

    This cool summer day in the Pacific NW called for some chili. I honestly thought I would think this recipe was okay but it is better than okay. It is delicious and different from any other chili I’ve ever made or eaten. I think the biggest difference is that I usually put a lot of bell peppers and maybe jalapenos in my chili. I have put cocoa in before but only one tablespoon any more than that and we didn’t care for it. I followed your recipe exactly and we think it is great! It is so easy and yet has that gourmet quality. Nice to change it up once in awhile! Enjoy both chili recipes. Many thanks!

    Reply

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