Description
Warm up with a hearty Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili that blends the natural sweetness of tender sweet potatoes with a rich tomato base, aromatic spices, and hearty beans. This flavorful, nutritious, and comforting chili is perfect for cozy nights and can be easily adapted for vegan, vegetarian, or meat-inclusive diets.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bell peppers, diced
Beans
- 1 cup kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
Tomatoes and Broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth (low sodium recommended)
Spices
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Oils and Extras
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare Aromatics and Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a skillet. Sauté diced onion and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. This step unlocks deep flavors that form the foundation of the chili.
- Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Transfer the sautéed onion and garlic to the slow cooker. Add diced sweet potatoes, diced bell peppers, drained kidney and black beans, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and all spices. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. This slow cooking softens the sweet potatoes perfectly and allows flavors to meld into a rich, comforting chili.
- Adjust and Serve: Once cooking is complete, stir the chili and taste. Add salt and pepper as needed. For thicker chili, leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes to let excess liquid evaporate. Serve with your choice of garnishes and side dishes.
Notes
- Pre-sauté aromatics (onions and garlic) to intensify flavor and reduce any raw bite.
- Dice sweet potatoes uniformly to ensure even cooking without mushiness.
- Use low-sodium vegetable broth to better control the salt level.
- If possible, stir the chili midway through cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Adjust spices gradually, starting mild and adding more chili powder or cayenne to taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours (low) or 3 to 4 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: slow cooker, sweet potato chili, vegan chili, vegetarian chili, hearty chili, healthy chili, slow cooker recipe, gluten free chili