The Heartiest Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili Recipe Ever

Crafting a hearty black bean chili with sweet potato brings warmth to your kitchen and comfort to your soul.

Robust flavors merge in this colorful one-pot marvel that promises satisfaction.

Southwestern spices dance through tender sweet potato chunks and creamy black beans, creating a nutritious meal.

Protein-packed ingredients blend seamlessly, offering a delightful twist on traditional chili recipes.

Vegetarian enthusiasts and meat lovers alike will appreciate this vibrant, nutrient-dense dish.

Quick to prepare and deeply satisfying, this chili turns an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.

You’ll want to savor every spoonful of this amazing meal that nourishes both body and spirit.

Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili Benefits

• Quick and Simple Cooking: Master a delicious tomato soup with minimal ingredients and straightforward steps that any home cook can tackle.
• Versatile Flavor Profile: Customize the soup by adjusting herbs, adding cream, or experimenting with different garnishes to suit your taste preferences.
• Comfort Food Champion: Enjoy a warm, rich soup that provides ultimate satisfaction and works perfectly as a standalone meal or alongside grilled cheese sandwiches.
• Nutritious Meal Solution: Pack your diet with lycopene-rich tomatoes, delivering a healthy and hearty option that doesn't compromise on taste or texture.

Ingredients For Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

• Sweet Potatoes: A hearty and nutritious root vegetable that adds a subtle sweetness and creamy texture to the chili.
• Onion: Provides a savory base flavor and aromatic foundation for the dish.
• Red Bell Pepper: Brings a mild sweetness and vibrant color to the chili.
• Garlic: Adds a robust and pungent flavor that enhances the overall taste profile.

• Black Beans: A protein-packed legume that offers a rich, earthy flavor and creamy texture to the chili.

• Vegetable Broth: Creates a flavorful liquid base that helps blend all the ingredients together.
• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce: Provide a tangy, rich tomato flavor and help create the chili's signature sauce.

• Chili Powder, Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Cinnamon, Oregano: A complex blend of spices that adds depth, warmth, and complexity to the chili.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall flavor.
• Lime Juice: Adds a bright, fresh citrus note that lifts the entire dish.

• Olive Oil: Helps sauté the vegetables and creates a smooth cooking base.

• Sour Cream, Avocado, Shredded Cheese: Delicious garnishes that add extra flavor, creaminess, and texture to the chili.

How To Make Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in diced onions and cook until they turn soft and translucent, releasing their sweet fragrance.

Step 2: Add Colorful Peppers

Introduce red bell peppers to the pot and cook until they become tender and slightly softened.

Step 3: Infuse Garlic Flavor

Sprinkle minced garlic into the mix and let it sizzle for about a minute, creating a rich, deep aroma.

Step 4: Combine Hearty Ingredients

• Diced sweet potatoes
• Black beans
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce

Step 5: Season and Spice

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Smoked paprika
• Cinnamon
• Oregano
• Salt
• Pepper

Step 6: Simmer to Perfection

Bring the chili to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and let it cook for 25-30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes become fork-tender.

Step 7: Add Zesty Finish

Squeeze fresh lime juice into the chili just before serving to brighten the flavors.

Step 8: Serve and Garnish

Ladle the hot chili into bowls.

• Sour cream
• Sliced avocado
• Shredded cheese

Tips For Perfect Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

• Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the chili.
• Use fresh lime juice right before serving to brighten the flavors and add a zesty tang to the dish.
• Choose ripe, firm sweet potatoes for the best texture and natural sweetness in the chili.
• Adjust spices according to personal preference, adding more chili powder for extra heat or reducing for a milder version.
• Let the chili simmer covered to allow flavors to meld and sweet potatoes to become perfectly tender without losing moisture.

Flavor Variations For Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

• Spicy Southwest Kick: Add diced jalapeños, increase chili powder, and top with fresh cilantro for a fiery version that brings heat and zest.
• Smoky Chipotle Fusion: Replace vegetable broth with chipotle-infused broth, add a tablespoon of adobo sauce, and garnish with smoked gouda cheese for intense smoky flavors.
• Protein Power Boost: Mix in cooked ground turkey or shredded chicken, increase protein content while maintaining the original chili's hearty base.
• Mediterranean Medley: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, and sprinkle dried oregano to transform the chili with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients.

Serving Suggestions For Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

• Cozy Comfort Bowl: Ladle the chili into deep, warm bowls for a hearty meal that hugs your soul. Top with a dollop of creamy Greek yogurt and sprinkle fresh cilantro for a burst of color and freshness.
• Loaded Nachos Twist: Transform the chili into a crowd-pleasing nacho topping. Spread crispy tortilla chips on a platter, generously spoon the chili over them, and garnish with melted cheese, diced jalapeños, and a drizzle of lime crema.
• Stuffed Pepper Surprise: Hollow out bell peppers and fill them with the chili. Bake until peppers are tender and top with a sprinkle of queso fresco. This method creates a fun, individual-sized presentation that's both nutritious and visually appealing.

How To Store Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

• Transfer cooled chili to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Pack chili in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving some space for expansion. Label with the date and contents. Frozen chili can last up to 3 months without losing its delicious flavor and texture.
• Thaw refrigerated or frozen chili in the refrigerator overnight. Warm gently in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of vegetable broth if the chili seems too thick during reheating.

FAQs

• Is this chili spicy?

The chili has a mild to moderate heat level from chili powder and spices. You can adjust the spiciness by reducing or increasing the amount of chili powder.

• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

This recipe is already vegetarian and can be easily made vegan by omitting dairy toppings like sour cream and cheese.

• Are sweet potatoes healthy in this chili?

Sweet potatoes are nutrient-dense, providing vitamin A, fiber, and antioxidants. They add nutritional value and natural sweetness to the chili.

• How can I add more protein to this dish?

You can increase protein by adding quinoa, extra black beans, or topping with plant-based protein like pumpkin seeds or chopped nuts.

Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili Recipe

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4.5 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Black bean chili with sweet potatoes offers hearty comfort for cold winter nights. Spicy, complex flavors and nutritious ingredients make this Mexican-inspired dish a delightful meal you’ll savor to the last bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 can (15 oz/425 g) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz/425 g) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz/425 g) tomato sauce
• 2 cups (480 ml) vegetable broth
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground oregano
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional toppings: sour cream, avocado, cilantro, shredded cheese, or tortilla chips

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over medium-high temperature, gently sautéing diced onions until they become translucent and fragrant.
2. Introduce red bell peppers to the pot, allowing them to soften and release their vibrant colors and sweet essence.
3. Infuse the mixture with minced garlic, stirring briefly to awaken its aromatic qualities without burning.
4. Cascade sweet potatoes, black beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce into the simmering landscape, creating a rich and textured foundation.
5. Stream vegetable broth into the pot, then sprinkle a harmonious blend of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cinnamon, oregano, salt, and pepper to build complex flavor layers.
6. Lower heat, cover the pot, and let the chili gently simmer for approximately 25-30 minutes until sweet potatoes reach a tender, yet slightly firm consistency.
7. Just before serving, brighten the entire dish with a zesty squeeze of fresh lime juice, cutting through the robust flavors.
8. Ladle into warm bowls and embellish with optional garnishes like creamy sour cream, buttery avocado slices, or a cascade of shredded cheese.

Notes

• Customize heat levels by adjusting chili powder or adding fresh jalapeños for extra spiciness.
• Swap vegetable broth with water if reducing sodium intake, ensuring flavor remains robust with additional spices.
• Prepare chili in advance as flavors deepen and develop more complexity when refrigerated overnight, making it perfect for meal prep.
• Create gluten-free and vegan-friendly version by using dairy-free toppings like cashew cream or nutritional yeast instead of traditional cheese and sour cream.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 210 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 430 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 9 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg