The Vegetarian Chili at Columbia Harbor House across the “street” from the Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom has always been my favorite vegan staple in WDW. I always, of course, ask the Cast Member working the podium for the list of ingredients at the start of each trip, but to my knowledge it is, and always will be, vegan.
Now, when I’m reminiscing about my past WDW vacations, I often start thinking about the food that I love so much. Pairing the Vegetarian Chili from here with some french fries is one of my favorite past times, so I try to recreated this delectable food combination at home. Here’s my favorite chili recipe I came up with while trying to replicate the one at Columbia Harbor House!
Angie’s Columbia Harbor House Vegan Chili Recipe
- 1 can black, rinsed and drained
- 1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can sweet corn, rinsed and drained
- 2 chopped tomatoes (large)
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1/2 green pepper, diced
- 1/2 red pepper, diced
- 4-5 mushrooms sliced (I actually leave these out because I don’t like them…)
- 1 can olives, drained and sliced
- 1 or 2 celery stalks diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp pepper
- (I also use broccoli, but the Columbia Harbor House version doesn’t, so at CHH I just order a side of broccoli and add it in sometimes!)
Once you really start to smell that garlic, add in the celery, corn, olives, and mushrooms. Stir around frequently until everything starts to become slightly soft – about 10 minutes.
Add tomatoes,water, and chili powder, salt, pepper, and stir. (Don’t worry if it looks like there isn’t enough water… once it simmers, all the juices start to come out!)
Reduce heat to medium low and add beans. Stir occasionally, cover, and cook for at least 30 minutes. The longer it cooks, the better it tastes!
Makes about 8 servings. (or 5-6 large meals) Serve it up with some french fries for that true WDW counter service feeling!
Angie has been a WDW addict since her first visit at age 8, and since then her life has never been the same! She lives in New Bedford, MA with her 3 dogs, Flip, Josie, and Hildy, where she currently owns Zen Dog Training and is a professional dog trainer. Please join Angie every week in “Fish Are Friends, Not Food: Eating Vegan in WDW!” Angie believes that WDW is the most magical place for people with special diets, so, should you have any special diet questions (especially about vegan and gluten-free dining) she’d be happy to help! Angie is also an artist, and you can see her work at www.angiecarreiro.com!
Disclaimer: This blog post, and all past and future Fish Are Friends, Not Food blog posts, are written with my most recent knowledge of the food in WDW parks. Please note that things are constantly changing, so this information might not always be up to date. Also note that I do not take into consideration refined sugar, cross contamination, or impure food items. With that said, always ask a chef before ordering if you are unsure about something, because the recipe may have changed or you may have a different way of defining your vegan lifestyle.
