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    Home » Recipes » Soup & Stew

    Calypso Chili (Award-Winning Vegan Chili Recipe)

    November 12, 2014 • Updated: February 17, 2021 • by Renée • This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Calypso Chili | The Good Hearted Woman

    Calypso Chili is a mild, rich chili, packed with fresh fresh vegetables and savory-sweet Caribbean flavors. (Award-winning vegan chili recipe)

    Calypso Chili | The Good Hearted Woman

    This post may contain affiliate links, but don't worry - they won't bite.

    Calypso Chili is a mild, rich chili, packed with fresh fresh vegetables and savory-sweet Caribbean flavors. (And if you don't tell anyone it's vegan, I won't either!)

    This is a vegan chili that doesn't taste vegan at all. Mushrooms give it a meaty bite, and it's packed with a list of fresh vegetables (and a few fruits) that combine to give it a distinctly Caribbean flair that is sure to please. 

    What are the best beans to use for this chili recipe?

    There are so many varieties of dried beans, and each one offers a myriad of possibilities. Sometimes it's hard to know which bean is best! 

    For this chili, I chose to use Orca Beans. These small, tasty heirloom beans, also known as Calypso Beans, are dappled black and white; and unlike many beautiful beans, Orca Beans hold their lovely markings after cooking. I've been imagining what I might do with these unique little legumes since the moment I set eyes on them.

    Orca Beans 1

    That said, you can use any small bean for this chili. Black beans, navy beans, or small red beans work equally well. (I'm personally not a fan of kidney beans, but if you love them, use them!)

    Calypso Orca Bean Chili | The Good Hearted Woman

    Calypso Orca Bean Chili | The Good Hearted Woman

    Calypso Chili

    Based on my (award winning!) vegan chili recipe, Calypso Chili is a mild, rich, savory-sweet chili packed with fresh Caribbean flavors.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course: Main dish or side
    Prep Time:1 hour
    Cook Time:1 hour
    Total Time:2 hours
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 206kcal
    Author: Renee

    Ingredients

    US Customary - Metric
    • 1 cup small chili beans small red beans, navy beans, orca beans, etc.
    • 5-7 cups Vegetable Broth
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 large onion chopped fine
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 red or orange pepper chopped fine
    • 2 medium carrots chopped fine
    • 1 jalapeño seeded and minced
    • 8 ounces mushroom very finely chopped
    • 1 can petite diced tomatoes
    • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoons ground cumin
    • 2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 dash fresh ground black pepper
    • 1 large mango chopped
    • ½ cup orange juice
    • 1 bunch cilantro chopped

    Instructions

    • Sort and rinse beans and place in a large soup pot with broth.
      Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until beans are softened. (About 45-60 minutes.)
      Drain beans and set aside.
      Calypso Orca Bean Chili | The Good Hearted Woman
    • Heat oil in a large frying pan.
      Add onions, peppers, carrots, and saute until onions begin to brown. 
      Stir in garlic, jalapeno, and mushrooms and saute for 3 more minutes.
      Calypso Orca Bean Chili | The Good Hearted Woman
    • Add vegetable mixture to beans.
      Add tomatoes, brown sugar, cumin, salt & pepper.
    • Continue simmering until beans are completely cooked, about 15-20 minutes.
      Optional: Instead of simmering on the stovetop, put the mixture in a slow cooker, set it on LOW and let it simmer for a few hours. If you are home, you can stir it a couple of times during the process, but it will be fine if you leave it alone.
    • Just before serving, add the mango, orange juice and cilantro, give it one more good stir and let it simmer for a few minutes more.

    Notes

    This is a very mild chili, so if you need to add a little more heat, go for it! Want a spicier chili? Add an extra jalapeno or two, and 1-2 teaspoons of chili powder.
    Like most chili recipes, the chili can be made well ahead of time, and it freezes well.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 206kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1255mg | Potassium: 762mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 3844IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 3mg
    This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
    Have you tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

    Do you love chili? Be sure to check out our Slow & Easy White Chicken Chili recipe!

     

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    THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
    of The Good Hearted Woman. • Be sure to PIN this post!

    Calypso Chili (Vegan Chili Recipe) | The Good Hearted Woman

    Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won't cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!
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    About Renée

    Renée is writer, music maker, artist, and storyteller. In her spare time, you can find her writing love songs about cowboys, exploring the moss-covered nooks and crannies of the Pacific Northwest, and making music with her talented singer-husband.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Trena says

      January 23, 2021 at 2:12 pm

      I’m guessing you were supposed to drain the beans?

      Reply
      • Renée says

        January 27, 2021 at 2:38 pm

        Good catch - thank you! Yes, Step #1 should read, "Drain and set aside."

        Reply
    2. Bonnie says

      November 13, 2014 at 10:17 pm

      Such clever ideas for some sweetness in the chili! And I've never seen orca beans before and they are beautiful...if I can say beans are beautiful. 🙂

      Reply
    3. Marlynn [UrbanBlissLife] says

      November 13, 2014 at 3:52 pm

      This looks scrumptious! I love the look of those Orca beans. Do you think it would taste fine if I omitted the jalapeno? Love every other ingredient. I've never thought to include mango in chili -- great idea!

      Reply
    4. Rachel says

      November 12, 2014 at 4:32 pm

      Those beans! I've never seen that before! They looks so cool. I love chili! Esp with the Portland weather we have been having! So yummy.

      Reply
    5. Dena Weigel Bell says

      November 12, 2014 at 2:59 pm

      Orca beans are so gorgeous! This chili looks like a great way to sneak in a few veggies onto my daughter's plate. Thanks!

      Reply

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