Hearty Sweet Potato Chili Recipe: Cozy Comfort in a Bowl

Steaming bowls of hearty sweet potato chili have a magical way of warming both body and soul on chilly evenings.

This robust recipe combines earthy flavors with a delightful southwestern twist that makes every spoonful a celebration.

Packed with nutritious ingredients and bold spices, the chili delivers a comforting meal that satisfies deep hunger.

Tender sweet potatoes meld perfectly with robust beans and rich tomato base, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

Each bite promises a delectable balance of warmth and zest that will leave you craving more.

Vegans and meat lovers alike will appreciate this versatile dish that brings incredible depth to the dinner table.

Let’s find out this soul-soothing recipe and transform an ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 5

Everything That Goes Into Sweet Potato Chili

• Sweet Potatoes: Hearty root vegetable that adds natural sweetness and creamy texture, choose firm potatoes with smooth skin and no soft spots.
• White Onion: Provides sharp, clean flavor foundation, select onions that feel heavy and have crisp, tight outer layers.
• Garlic: Delivers deep, aromatic undertones, pick plump cloves without green sprouts or soft areas.

• Ground Beef, Kidney Beans: Protein-packed combination creating robust, satisfying chili, choose lean ground beef with good fat content and beans without dents or rust on can.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Dried Oregano: Complex spice blend offering warm, smoky depth, ensure spices are fresh and fragrant.
• Chipotle Pepper, Adobo Sauce: Introduces intense, smoky heat with rich complexity, select peppers in well-sealed cans.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Balances heat with subtle caramel sweetness, look for moist, clump-free sugar.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile, choose pure, clean-tasting salt.

• Crushed Tomatoes: Creates silky, rich foundation, pick high-quality canned tomatoes without added preservatives.
• Olive Oil: Provides smooth cooking base, select extra virgin for best flavor.

Tools to Help You Simmer Sweet Potato Chili

• Large pot: Heavy-bottomed and deep for simmering chili comfortably.
• Chef's knife: Sharp blade for precise dicing of vegetables and meat.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for chopping ingredients safely.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring and mixing chili while cooking.
• Measuring spoons: Helps add exact amounts of spices and seasonings.
• Can opener: Needed to open crushed tomato and bean cans.
• Colander: Useful for rinsing beans thoroughly.

How to Cook Sweet Potato Chili Step by Step

• Flavor Prep

Gather your kitchen tools and ingredients. This hearty chili combines spicy, smoky notes with rich, comforting textures that will warm your soul.

• Meat Foundation

Heat a large pot and transform ground beef into a delicious golden-brown base. Let those meat edges crisp up and develop deep flavor.

• Veggie Symphony

Introduce sweet potatoes, onions, and garlic into the pot. Sprinkle in chipotle peppers and spices that’ll make your taste buds dance. Pour in crushed tomatoes and beans to create a robust liquid landscape.

• Simmering Magic

Lower the heat and let everything mingle and soften. The sweet potatoes will become tender while flavors intertwine beautifully. After about 30 minutes, your chili will reach peak deliciousness.

• Topping Celebration

Invite creativity with garnishes like fresh cilantro, sharp cheese, cool sour cream, and crunchy chips. Each topping adds a personal touch to your culinary masterpiece.

Tips to Enhance Sweet Potato Chili Flavor

• Use a potato masher to gently crush some sweet potato chunks, creating a thicker, more luxurious chili consistency that helps bind the ingredients together.
• Replace ground beef with ground turkey, plant-based crumbles, or black beans for a lighter or vegetarian version that still delivers robust flavor.
• Adjust heat by varying the amount of chipotle pepper – use less for mild warmth or add extra seeds for a fiery kick that'll make taste buds dance.
• This chili tastes even better the next day as flavors meld overnight. Prepare in advance and refrigerate, then reheat for a quick and delicious meal that saves time and intensifies taste.
• Portion cooled chili into airtight containers and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently, stirring occasionally to maintain perfect texture.

Serving Suggestions for This Hearty Chili

• Hearty Meal Companion: Serve this chili with warm, crusty cornbread to soak up the delicious sauce and add a comforting texture to your meal.
• Taco Bar Twist: Create a fun DIY taco bar with the chili as the main protein, offering toppings like shredded cheese, diced onions, sour cream, and crispy tortilla chips for a interactive dining experience.
• Nutritious Bowl Upgrade: Transform the chili into a complete meal by serving over fluffy quinoa or brown rice, adding extra fiber and protein to boost nutritional value and create a more filling dish.
• Leftover Magic: Pack the chili in thermoses for a satisfying lunch or freeze individual portions for quick weeknight meals that taste just as good reheated.

Storage Plan for Sweet Potato Chili Leftovers

• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare a double batch of this hearty chili to enjoy multiple meals throughout the week. The flavors deepen and improve after a day in the refrigerator, making it perfect for advanced meal preparation.
• Freezer-Friendly Champion: Cool the chili completely before transferring to airtight containers or freezer bags. It stays delicious for up to 3 months, providing a quick and satisfying meal on busy nights.
• Portion Power: Divide chili into individual servings for easy grab-and-go lunches or quick dinners. Mason jars or meal prep containers work wonderfully for storing single-serving portions.
• Refrigerator Refresh: Store leftover chili in sealed containers in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Gently reheat on the stovetop, adding a splash of water to maintain the perfect consistency and prevent drying out.

Hearty Sweet Potato Chili Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty sweet potato chili brings robust Southwestern flavors to comfort dining. Spicy, nutritious ingredients blend seamlessly, offering home cooks a delicious one-pot meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (453.6 g) ground beef (80% lean / 20% fat)
• 1 lb (453.6 g) sweet potatoes
• 1 (28 oz/794 g) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz/425 g) can kidney beans
• 1 medium white onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp packed dark brown sugar
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp kosher salt, divided, with more to taste
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp to 1 tbsp adobo sauce from canned chipotle peppers, adjusted to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Uniformly cube sweet potatoes, finely dice yellow onion, mince garlic, chop chipotle pepper, and rinse beans thoroughly.
2. Meat Foundation: Sear ground beef in a large dutch oven over medium-high heat until golden and crumbly, approximately 5-7 minutes. Remove browned meat using a slotted spoon and set aside.
3. Aromatic Base: In the same pot, caramelize onions until translucent, then quickly incorporate minced garlic, stirring constantly to prevent scorching.
4. Spice Infusion: Reintroduce browned beef, then add sweet potatoes, chipotle, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Ensure uniform spice distribution by stirring meticulously.
5. Liquid Integration: Pour crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and rinsed beans into the pot. Gently combine all components and bring to a gentle simmer, reducing heat to low.
6. Simmering Stage: Cover and let chili simmer for 25-35 minutes, occasionally stirring, until sweet potatoes reach a tender consistency without becoming mushy. Adjust seasonings to taste.
7. Serving Presentation: Dish chili into bowls and embellish with optional garnishes like shredded cheddar, sour cream, fresh cilantro, diced red onions, and crispy tortilla chips.

Notes

• Uniform Chopping: Cut sweet potatoes and onions into consistent sizes to ensure even cooking and balanced texture in every bite.
• Browning Technique: Properly brown ground beef to develop deep, rich flavor and prevent watery chili by using high heat and avoiding overcrowding the pan.
• Spice Distribution: Thoroughly mix spices with ingredients before adding liquids to enhance overall flavor profile and ensure even seasoning throughout the dish.
• Simmering Wisdom: Maintain low, gentle heat while simmering to prevent sweet potatoes from becoming mushy and allow flavors to meld together harmoniously.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg