Savory Buffalo Cauliflower Chili
Indulge in a bowl of Savory Buffalo Cauliflower Chili, a stellar vegetarian dish that brings together the heartiness of cauliflower and cannellini beans with a punch of flavor inspired by classic buffalo wings. Slow-cooked to perfection, this chili is rich in taste yet mild enough for everyone to enjoy, making it a perfect family meal. The combination of sweet brown sugar, spicy Frank's Red Hot sauce, and aromatic spices creates a comforting dish with a delightful depth of flavor. Don't forget to top it off with creamy blue cheese, crunchy celery, fresh red onion, and a dollop of sour cream for a gourmet finishing touch. This recipe is especially great for meal prep and can be enjoyed for days to come, whether it's for lunch or dinner. Big thanks to the Kitchen Treaty blog for the inspiration behind this scrumptious chili!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cauliflower
4 cups (fresh cut into bite-size pieces)
Onion
1 (diced (about 2 cups))
Cannellini Beans
4 cups (cooked (or 2 15-oz. cans, drained))
Diced Tomatoes
28 ounces (canned with juice)
Diced Green Chilies
4 ounces (canned fire-roasted)
Frank's Red Hot Sauce
1/2 cup (to taste)
Brown Sugar
2 tablespoons (for sweetness)
Chili Powder
1 tablespoon (for spice)
Cumin
2 teaspoons (adds depth of flavor)
Cayenne Pepper
1/8 teaspoon (plus more to taste if desired)
Kosher Salt
1/2 teaspoon (plus more to taste if desired)
Blue Cheese
to taste (crumbled for topping)
Celery
to taste (diced for topping)
Red Onion
to taste (diced for topping)
Sour Cream
to taste (for a creamy finish)
Instructions
1
Prepare your ingredients: fresh-cut cauliflower, diced onion, cooked cannellini beans, diced tomatoes with juice, fire-roasted diced green chilies, and the spices.
2
In a 3-quart or larger slow cooker, add all the ingredients including Frank's red hot sauce, brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
3
Set your slow cooker to low and let it cook for 8-10 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. If you’re short on time, you can cook on high for about 4-5 hours, but the low setting yields better results.
4
After the cooking time is done, taste the chili and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or cayenne pepper if desired.
5
Serve steaming hot and let each person customize their bowl with toppings of blue cheese, diced celery, red onion, and a swirl of sour cream.
6
Savor each bite and enjoy the delightful flavors! Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or frozen for up to 3 months for future meals.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Buffalo Cauliflower Chili?
It is a hearty vegetarian dish featuring cauliflower and cannellini beans with a flavor profile inspired by classic buffalo wings.
Is this chili recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this is a stellar vegetarian dish that uses cauliflower and beans as the main proteins.
How long does it cook in a slow cooker on low?
The chili should cook for 8-10 hours on the low setting for the best flavor meld.
Can I cook this chili on high heat?
Yes, if you are short on time, you can cook it on high for about 4-5 hours.
Which hot sauce is recommended for the buffalo flavor?
The recipe specifically calls for 1/2 cup of Frank's Red Hot sauce.
What type of beans are used in this recipe?
It uses 4 cups of cooked cannellini beans, or two 15-oz cans that have been drained.
How much cauliflower is required?
You will need 4 cups of fresh-cut cauliflower, prepared into bite-size pieces.
Is this chili very spicy?
The chili is rich in taste but described as mild enough for everyone to enjoy, though spiciness can be adjusted with cayenne.
What are the recommended toppings?
Gourmet toppings include crumbled blue cheese, diced celery, fresh red onion, and a dollop of sour cream.
Do I need to drain the diced tomatoes?
No, you should use the 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes along with their juice.
What kind of green chilies should I use?
The recipe recommends using 4 ounces of canned fire-roasted diced green chilies.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
Yes, it includes 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to add a touch of sweetness.
What spices are needed?
The spice blend consists of chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt.
What size slow cooker is needed?
You should use a 3-quart or larger slow cooker to accommodate all the ingredients.
How long can leftovers be stored in the fridge?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Can this cauliflower chili be frozen?
Yes, it can be frozen for up to 3 months for future meals.
How do I adjust the seasoning?
After cooking, taste the chili and add more salt or cayenne pepper if you desire more flavor or heat.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Absolutely, it is great for meal prep and can be enjoyed for several days for lunch or dinner.
What role does the cumin play in the recipe?
Cumin is used to add a delightful depth of flavor to the chili.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes, simply omit the blue cheese and sour cream toppings or replace them with vegan alternatives.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
The recipe includes 15 ingredients, including the various toppings.
Who inspired this recipe?
The inspiration for this chili comes from the Kitchen Treaty blog.
Do I need to cook the cauliflower before adding it to the crock pot?
No, you add fresh-cut cauliflower directly to the slow cooker to cook with the other ingredients.
How much onion is used?
The recipe calls for one diced onion, which is approximately 2 cups.
What kind of salt is best for this dish?
Kosher salt is recommended for this recipe.
Is this chili considered a healthy meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy recipe and is packed with vegetables and fiber from beans.
Does the recipe require any pre-sautéing?
No, the instructions indicate adding all ingredients directly into the slow cooker and stirring.
How much cayenne pepper should I start with?
Start with 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, then add more to taste if you want more heat.
Is the celery cooked in the chili?
No, the celery is used as a fresh, crunchy topping added just before serving.
How do I serve this dish?
Serve it steaming hot and let each person customize their own bowl with the suggested toppings.