We understand that chili beans can be confusing for some people since it means something different for everyone. The chili beans can be extremely flavorful and cooked perfectly. It is widely used as a side in multiple meals. In case you have to make Mexican recipes but cannot find chili beans, we have the chili beans for you in this article!
Chili Beans – What Is It?
Chili beans are vegetarian beans with intense flavor. These beans are delicious and are perfect for taco salads, nachos, and as sides with smoked and grilled meat. These chili beans are known to be saucy beans for quick cooking. Generally, chili beans are available in canned form and are drowned in chili sauce of chili-seasoned gravy.
On the other hand, chili beans are available in dried form, which can be cooked with chili powder, onions, meat, garlic, and other spices. So, if you cannot find chili beans, let’s have a look at the substitutes for chili beans!
Substitute For Chili Beans
1) Beef Or Pork
Obviously, meat is the ultimate substitute for chili beans if you want nutritious substitutes. That’s to say because meat has lower carbs with a higher protein count. Beef or pork will make a great substitute for chili beans in salads, tacos, and nachos. In addition, the high protein profile delivers similar nutrition. All in all, it’s suitable for non-vegetarians.
2) Lentils Or Split Peas
If you want the chili beans substitute that also looks like beans, you can opt for split peas and lentils. In addition to lentils and split peas, you can also opt for edamame. That being said, you can add ¾ cup of split peas or lentils for replacing chili beans. Even more, these substitutes can absorb excess spices and liquid (just like chili beans).
On the contrary, split peas or lentils can be cooked ahead of time and added to the recipe at the end. However, keep in mind that there are carbs, so your carb-free diet might be impacted. Lastly, it’s essential to outline that these substitutes will be easy to digest.
3) Texturized Vegetable Protein
To begin with, texturized vegetable protein is made from soy flour. It is used as the high-protein and high-fiber count. Truth be told, it can tell people that they are eating beef. So, if you want to have the meaty flavor in the recipe but don’t have chili bean, TVP is the perfect option. On the contrary, TVP is the unfermented substitute. That being said, TVP has phytic acid, which makes it easy to digest (chili beans are easy to digest as well).
4) Tofu
Tofu doesn’t have a flavor of its own which makes it a versatile substitute for chili beans. That’s to say because it can absorb the flavor of the fish. Tofu is actually the soymilk outcome which means the carb count is fewer as compared to chili beans. This is the unfermented soy product, hence easier to digest.
5) Tempeh
If you still need substitutes for chili beans, tempeh is a promising choice and has become a healthier option. Tempeh is easy to digest and is derived from fermented soybeans. However, if you want to replace chili beans in a recipe, you have to add them at the end of the recipe. All in all, it’s pretty easy to use with an amazing texture and nutty profile.
6) Gluten-Free Grains
The gluten-free grains make a suitable substitute for chili beans. In particular, the grains include amaranth, quinoa, sourgum, and rice. These grains have a higher protein count and make a great choice for vegetarians. These grains are generally difficult to digest for some people. All in all, these grains are suitable for replacing chili beans.
7) Portobello Mushrooms
If you want the plant-based substitute for chili beans, portobello mushrooms are great. These mushrooms have a meaty texture which makes them a fine choice for replacing chili beans. Similarly, portobello mushrooms are extremely easy to digest with a lower carb count. However, you will need to cook mushrooms before you add them to the recipe.
8) Peas
Well, when we talk about the substitutes for chili beans, it’s hard to neglect peas. The peas are available in frozen as well as canned form. The peas have a low carb count with almost zero cooking time. Even more, the peas are extremely easy to digest, and the texture will be similar to chili beans.