This white chili recipe is a delightful twist on the traditional chili, offering a creamy and hearty dish that's perfect for a cozy night in. Packed with cannellini beans, corn, and a blend of aromatic spices, this dish is both satisfying and nutritious. The addition of coconut milk gives it a rich, velvety texture that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
While most of the ingredients for this white chili recipe are commonly found in your pantry, you might need to pick up a few items at the supermarket. Cannellini beans are a type of white bean that might not be in everyone's kitchen, but they are essential for this recipe. Additionally, coconut milk adds a unique creaminess to the chili, so make sure to grab a can if you don't already have it. The spices like cumin, oregano, and chili powder are also crucial for achieving the perfect flavor.

Ingredients for White Chili Recipe
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the onions and garlic, adding a rich flavor base.
Onion: Provides a sweet and savory depth to the chili.
Garlic: Adds a pungent, aromatic flavor that enhances the overall taste.
Vegetable broth: Serves as the liquid base, adding a savory depth to the chili.
Cannellini beans: These white beans are creamy and mild, perfect for the chili's texture.
Corn: Adds a sweet crunch and a pop of color to the dish.
Cumin: Provides a warm, earthy flavor that is essential for chili.
Oregano: Adds a slightly bitter, aromatic flavor that complements the other spices.
Chili powder: Gives the chili its characteristic heat and depth.
Coconut milk: Adds a creamy, rich texture to the chili, balancing the spices.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the dish.
Pepper: Adds a touch of heat and complexity.
Technique Tip for This Vegan Chili
When sautéing the onion and garlic, make sure to cook them until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant but not browned. This will ensure a well-developed base flavor for your white chili. Additionally, when adding the coconut milk towards the end, stir gently to avoid curdling and to maintain a creamy consistency.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar smoke point and neutral flavor, making it a great alternative for sautéing.
Onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a slightly sweeter and more delicate flavor, which can enhance the overall taste of the chili.
Garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: If fresh garlic is unavailable, garlic powder can provide a similar depth of flavor. Use ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder for each clove of garlic.
Vegetable broth - Substitute with mushroom broth: Mushroom broth adds a rich, umami flavor that complements the other ingredients in the chili.
Cannellini beans - Substitute with great northern beans: Great northern beans have a similar texture and mild flavor, making them an excellent replacement.
Corn - Substitute with frozen peas: Frozen peas can add a sweet and slightly crunchy texture, similar to corn.
Cumin - Substitute with ground coriander: Ground coriander has a warm, citrusy flavor that can provide a different but complementary taste to the chili.
Oregano - Substitute with thyme: Thyme offers a slightly different herbal note but works well in savory dishes like chili.
Chili powder - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika adds a smoky depth and a bit of heat, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Coconut milk - Substitute with cashew cream: Cashew cream provides a similar creamy texture and mild flavor, making it a suitable alternative for coconut milk.
Salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the chili.
Pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a milder heat and a slightly different flavor profile, which can be a nice variation in the chili.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Vegan Chili
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
- Allow the white chili to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to a watery texture.
- Transfer the cooled chili into airtight containers. Glass containers with tight-fitting lids are ideal, but BPA-free plastic containers or heavy-duty freezer bags also work well.
- Label the containers with the date and contents. This helps you keep track of how long the chili has been stored.
- Store the chili in the refrigerator if you plan to consume it within 3-4 days. Ensure the temperature is set to 40°F (4°C) or below.
- For longer storage, place the containers in the freezer. The white chili can be frozen for up to 3 months without significant loss of flavor or texture.
- When ready to reheat, thaw the chili in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. This gradual thawing helps maintain the quality of the dish.
- Reheat the chili on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired temperature. You can also reheat it in the microwave, stirring every minute to ensure even heating.
- If the chili appears too thick after reheating, add a splash of vegetable broth or coconut milk to reach the desired consistency.
- Garnish with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lime juice before serving to enhance the flavors and add a fresh touch.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method: Pour your leftover white chili into a saucepan. Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. Add a splash of vegetable broth or coconut milk if it appears too thick. Once it reaches your desired temperature, serve hot.
Microwave Method: Transfer your white chili to a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. If it's not hot enough, continue heating in 30-second intervals until thoroughly warmed.
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place your white chili in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out. Heat for about 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Add a bit of vegetable broth or coconut milk if needed.
Slow Cooker Method: Pour your white chili into a slow cooker. Set it to low and let it heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. This method is perfect if you want to keep the chili warm for an extended period, such as during a gathering.
Double Boiler Method: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a simmer. Place a heatproof bowl containing your white chili over the simmering water, ensuring the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water. Stir occasionally until the chili is heated through. This gentle method helps prevent scorching.
Best Tools for Making This Dish
Large pot: Used for cooking the chili and combining all the ingredients.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the ingredients without scratching the pot.
Chef's knife: Essential for dicing the onion and mincing the garlic.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping the onion and garlic.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the olive oil, cumin, oregano, and chili powder accurately.
Measuring cups: Necessary for measuring the vegetable broth, coconut milk, and corn.
Can opener: Required for opening the cans of cannellini beans.
Colander: Used to drain and rinse the cannellini beans.
Ladle: Useful for serving the hot chili into bowls.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-chop ingredients: Dice the onion and mince the garlic ahead of time to streamline the cooking process.
Use canned beans: Opt for canned cannellini beans instead of dried beans to save soaking and cooking time.
Frozen corn: Utilize frozen corn instead of fresh to cut down on prep work.
Measure spices in advance: Pre-measure the cumin, oregano, and chili powder to add them quickly when needed.
Batch cooking: Make a larger batch and freeze portions for quick future meals.

White Chili Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 medium Onion, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 cups Vegetable Broth
- 2 cans Cannellini Beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup Corn
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1 cup Coconut Milk
- to taste Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Pour in vegetable broth, cannellini beans, and corn. Stir to combine.
- Add cumin, oregano, and chili powder. Stir well.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Stir in coconut milk and cook for another 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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