Vegetarian for over 20 years. Most of my chili is "leftovers chili". It's about the flavor more than the ingredients. I suppose it's more of a chili flavored goulash technically.
Usually starting with black beans, chick peas, tomatoes, peppers and chili spices. Then whatever leftovers I don't want to eat get chopped up and added. My favorite leftover is old French fries because they never reheat right anyway. Also a great way to use up produce that is going bad but not yet unsafe to eat.
Well yeah, how else would he get around?