Vegan Hominy Chili Bake

Who doesn’t love a vegan chili cornbread casserole? This casserole’s cornbread crust is moist and sweet. The hominy chili filling is smoky, spicy, and very easy to make. Baked in the oven for ~25 minutes, and it’s a delicious vegan hominy chili bake recipe that will keep everyone coming back for more.

This is not a hard recipe. A little time sautéing and simmering in a pot, mixing the crust in a bowl, layering the two together in a pan, and baking in the oven… Next thing you know, it’s ready to enjoy!

Chipotle powder brings the spice and the smokiness to this vegan hominy casserole dish. If you have a hard time finding chipotle powder or don’t have it on hand, you can try ½ tsp smoked paprika + 1 ½ tsp chili powder + ½ tsp red pepper flakes, in it’s place. It really makes one appreciate how efficient chipotle powder is at producing flavor. It takes three spices to attempt to mimic some of its best features.

Check out more tasty UVK recipes, like Chipotle Lime Jackfruit, Vegan Pozole Rojo, White Bean Jackfruit Chili, Vegan Green Bean Casserole or Vegan Spinach Mushroom Wild Rice Casserole.

Please enjoy 💚

Vegan Hominy Chili Bake

Hominy Chili:

1 medium onion, chopped

1 small green pepper, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 tsp oil

1 ½ tsp chipotle powder (see note above)

½ tsp dried Mexican oregano

½ tsp ground cumin

15 ounce can of tomato sauce

1 cube of fake beef bouillon OR 1 tsp red miso

15 ounce can of white hominy, drained and rinsed

15 ounce can of pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 tsp agave

½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Cornbread Crust:

1 cup all-purpose flour

¾ cup cornmeal

⅓ cup turbinado sugar

1 ½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

1 cup vegan unsweetened milk (I used Good Karma Unsweetened Flax Milk)

4 ounce can of diced mild green chiles

2 Tbsp olive oil

3 scallions, chopped

½ cup vegan cheese, shredded (I used Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds) – optional

Fresh chopped cilantro and chopped scallion, to top

Vegan cheese, to top – optional

1. Preheat the oven to 375º F. Grease a 9” X 13” baking pan, and set aside.

2. Next, sauté the aromatics for the vegan chili hominy bake. In a large, heavy pot or dutch oven, add onion, green pepper, garlic, oil and a dash of salt over medium heat. Sauté for 5 minutes, and then, add the chipotle powder, oregano, and cumin. Sauté an additional minute.

3. Stir in tomato sauce, bouillon, hominy, pinto beans, agave and cilantro. Turn down to low heat, cover with a lid, and simmer for 10 minutes.

4. As the chili simmers, get started on the cornbread crust. In a large mixing bowl, add flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt. Mix together throughly, and create a small well in the center. In the well, add the milk, green chiles, oil, scallions and cheese (if using). Stir together with a spatula for about 1 minute, or until very well combined. Set aside.

5. Spread the chili across the bottom of the greased 9” X 13” baking pan. Then, spoon the cornbread crust mixture in an even layer across the top of the chili. If using vegan cheese to top, add some additional cheese at this time. Bake uncovered at 375º F for 25 minutes.

6. Remove from the oven, top the vegan hominy chili bake with chopped cilantro and chopped scallions. Serve.