Slow cooker sweet potato chili is an easy and healthy meal to make in the slow cooker or crockpot. It’s a hearty and flavorful chili perfect for cold winter days!​​​​​​​

two bowls of sweet potato chili with sour cream, shredded cheese and green onion


Anybody else buried under snow? This is my first blizzard while living in New York City and it is definitely one for the books. I mean, the mayor declared the city under a winter weather state of emergency—that does not happen everyday. When weather like this hits the big apple, it’s time to hunker down with a six-pack of beer and a big bowl of chili.

Chili is one of those comfort foods that is just so darn difficult not to like. From manly-man beef chili to Tex-Mex chicken chili, the options are endless. This time around I tried my hand at a vegetarian chili using sweet potatoes, plenty of beans and an array of vegetables.

sweet potato chili ingredients in bowls labeled with text

Sweet potato chili ingredients

Sweet potato chili calls for red onion, bell pepper, frozen corn, garlic, spices, cocoa powder, diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans and sweet potato. All the ingredients are tossed into a slow cooker and cooked for 5 hours on high or 8 hours on low.

The most unique ingredients in this recipe are the cocoa powder and cinnamon. A little out of place from typical chili, but it works really well in sweet potato chili—trust me. Make sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder for the best results.

before and after photo collage of sweet potato chili in crock pot
two bowls of sweet potato chili in front of stainless steel slow cooker full of chili

Sweet potato chili nutrition

Sweet potato chili is packed with nutrition. It is a naturally low-fat meal filled with fiber, nutrients and plant-based protein. This recipe yields 4 generous helpings, each about 330 calories each. There is also 17 grams of protein and 19 grams of fiber provided mostly from the black beans and kidney beans.

The sweet potatoes pack a ton of Vitamin A and Vitamin C in to this meal. There is also Potassium, Calcium and Iron included in this chili.

bowl of sweet potato chili with tortilla chips, dollop of sour cream and spoon taking bite

Make ahead tips for chili

Chili is an excellent dish to make ahead of time. There are a couple options here. You can chop all the ingredients and store in an airtight container a day or two before making the chili. Another option is making the chili and keeping is on the warm setting until ready to serve.

Freezing chili

Chili freezes surprisingly well. Let the chili cool completely. Place in an airtight container and freeze for up to 1 month. Defrost in the refrigerator before bringing reheating.

​​​​​​​What can I make with sweet potatoes?

Chili isn’t the only thing you can make with sweet potatoes! Try my bourbon maple sweet potatoes, a flavorful side dish to serve at dinner. If you’re looking for something sweet (pun intended) try my sweet potato cupcakes. I also love the look of these sweet potato biscuits.. ​​​​​​​

bowl of sweet potato chili topped with dollop of sour cream, shredded cheese and green onions

Did you love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below and if you REALLY loved it, consider leaving a comment further down the page.

two bowls of slow cooker sweet potato chili

Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili

Vegetarian sweet potato chili is an easy and healthy meal to make in the slow cooker or crockpot. It's a hearty and flavorful chili perfect for cold winter days!
4.50 (4 ratings)

Ingredients

  • 1 medium red onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup frozen corn, optional
  • 4 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • One 28-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • One 15.5-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • One 15.5-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 medium sweet potato, about 8 ounces, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • For garnish: sour cream, sliced scallions, shredded cheese or tortilla chips

Instructions 

  • In a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker, combine the onion, bell pepper, frozen corn, garlic, chili powder, cumin, cocoa, cinnamon, salt and black pepper. Add the tomatoes (and their liquid), beans, sweet potato, and 1 cup water.
  • Cover and cook until the sweet potatoes are tender and the chili has thickened, on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours (this will shorten total recipe time).
  • Serve the chili with the sour cream, scallions, radishes, and tortilla chips.

Notes

Storing sweet potato chili

Chili may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Freezing sweet potato chili

Chili may be frozen in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Suggested tools to make chili: 6-Quart Slow Cooker, vegetable peeler, cutting board, chopping knife
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 337kcal, Carbohydrates: 67g, Protein: 17g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1648mg, Potassium: 1025mg, Fiber: 19g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 6127IU, Vitamin C: 38mg, Calcium: 175mg, Iron: 7mg

Recipe from Real Simple.

Share This: