Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili
Nothing beats a cozy bowl of hearty chili that warms you up from the inside out! This amazing sweet potato and black bean chili is perfect for busy families who want something healthy and delicious on the table fast. You’ll love how it’s packed with protein and veggies that actually taste incredible together.
Recipe Details
Timing & Servings: Active Time: 25 minutes, Additional Time: 15 minutes, Total Time: 40 minutes, Serves: 4 people (about 2 cups each).
Nutrition Profile: Gut Healthy, Anti-Inflammatory, Mediterranean Diet, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free.
Nutrition Facts (per serving): 323 Calories, 8g Fat, 55g Carbs, 13g Protein.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Extra-virgin olive oil: You’ll need 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons for cooking everything perfectly. This gives the chili such a rich, smooth base flavor.
Sweet potato: One medium-large sweet potato, peeled and diced into bite-sized pieces. These add natural sweetness and make the chili so filling and satisfying.
Onion: One large onion, diced up nice and small. Yellow or white onions work great here – use whatever you have in your kitchen!
Garlic: 4 cloves minced up really fine. Fresh garlic makes such a difference in flavor, but you can use jarred minced garlic if that’s easier.
Chili powder: 2 tablespoons of good chili powder brings all that warm, cozy spice. Don’t worry – it’s not too hot for the kids!
Ground cumin: 4 teaspoons adds that earthy, smoky flavor that makes chili taste like real chili. This spice is so important for authentic taste.
Ground chipotle chile: Just ½ teaspoon gives a gentle smoky heat. You can skip this if you want it super mild for little ones.
Salt: ¼ teaspoon to bring out all the flavors. You can always add more at the end if needed.
Water: 2½ cups to create the perfect chili consistency. Some people use broth, but water works beautifully here.
Black beans: 2 cans (15-ounce each), rinsed really well. These give you tons of protein and fiber to keep everyone full and happy.
Diced tomatoes: One 14-ounce can adds that classic chili flavor and helps everything come together perfectly.
Lime juice: 4 teaspoons of fresh lime juice brightens up the whole dish. Fresh is best, but bottled works too!
Fresh cilantro: ½ cup chopped up adds the most amazing fresh finish. If your family doesn’t love cilantro, you can skip it or use green onions instead.
How to Make Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili
Step 1: Heat your oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the diced sweet potato and onion to the pot. Cook them, stirring often, until the onion starts getting soft – about 4 minutes. Add your minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, chipotle, and salt. Stir constantly for 30 seconds until it smells amazing.
Step 2: Pour in the water and bring everything to a simmer. Cover the pot and turn the heat down to keep a gentle simmer going. Cook until the sweet potato pieces are tender when you poke them with a fork – about 10 to 12 minutes.
Step 3: Add the rinsed black beans, diced tomatoes, and lime juice to your pot. Turn the heat back up to high and bring it to a simmer, stirring often so nothing sticks. Turn the heat back down and let it simmer until it’s thickened up nicely – about 5 minutes. Take it off the heat and stir in that fresh cilantro.
Easy and Quick Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili Version
Want to make this even faster? You can use pre-diced sweet potatoes from the produce section – they cook in half the time! Also, try using garlic powder instead of fresh (use 1 teaspoon). Skip the chipotle completely if you want to keep things super simple. You’ll still get an amazing chili that tastes like you spent hours making it!
Serving Ideas
This chili is totally a complete meal all by itself! Serve it with some crunchy tortilla chips for dipping or a slice of warm cornbread. A dollop of Greek yogurt (if you eat dairy) or some sliced avocado on top makes it extra special. My family loves it with a sprinkle of shredded cheese and a few more cilantro leaves.
Storage
Cover and pop this in the fridge for up to 3 days – it actually tastes even better the next day! You can freeze it for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers. To reheat, warm it covered in a 350°F oven for 20-30 minutes, or heat it on the stovetop over medium heat. Add a splash of water if it gets too thick while reheating.
Substitutions
No chipotle? No problem – just use extra chili powder or skip it completely. You can swap the sweet potatoes for regular potatoes or butternut squash. Pinto beans or kidney beans work great instead of black beans. Don’t have cilantro? Try chopped green onions or fresh parsley instead!
Pro Tips
• Make it ahead: This chili tastes even better the next day, so make a double batch on Sunday!
• Perfect texture: Don’t skip rinsing those beans – it prevents the chili from getting too thick and starchy.
• Flavor boost: Add the lime juice right at the end to keep that bright, fresh taste.
• Storage trick: Freeze in individual portions for easy weeknight dinners later!
FAQs
Can I substitute the ground chipotle?
Sure! We love the smoky heat ground chipotle adds, but you have options. You can use 1 chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce instead of the ground version. If you want it milder, just use regular chili powder or skip the chipotle completely. Your chili will still taste amazing!
What should I serve with this chili?
You bet this goes great with so many things! Tortilla chips are perfect for dipping, or try some warm cornbread on the side. If you want to keep it vegan, serve it with a simple green salad or some crusty bread. My kids love it over baked sweet potatoes too!
How long does this chili keep?
This chili keeps beautifully! Store it covered in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze it for 3 months. When you reheat it, just add a little water since it thickens up. You can warm it in the oven, on the stovetop, or in the microwave – whatever works best for you!
I hope your family loves this cozy chili as much as mine does! Let me know how it turns out for you and if you try any fun variations. There’s nothing better than sharing a warm bowl of homemade chili with the people you love!
