Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili
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!
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
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.
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.
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..
Related recipes
Here are some recipes to try if you’re looking for something to serve with chili or you want another crockpot meal.
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Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili
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 knifeRecipe from Real Simple.
