Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili is the most comforting healthy chili recipe ever! Made with tender chunks of sweet potatoes, black beans, and quinoa, this Gluten Free, Vegan Friendly Sweet Potato Chili is packed with flavor, protein, and fiber. And it comes together in less than 30 minutes--for an easy healthy family dinner.
Looking for more chili recipes? Check out Slow Cooker Chili, Instant Pot Chili, Vegetarian Butternut Squash Chili, Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili, and Vegetarian Chili.
Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili
Sweet Potato Chili is one of my go-to, must make recipes. This easy Sweet Potato Black bean chili is a healthy, delicious recipe for dinner that fills the family up with minimal effort and minimal cost.
Made with quinoa, sweet potatoes, and black beans, this vegetarian, vegan friendly Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili is incredibly flavorful, hearty, and filling, yet light on calories, low in fat, and packed with vitamins, fiber and protein. It is truly a one pot, healthy recipe that everyone loves!
How to Make Sweet Potato Quinoa Chili
Step One: Saute Veggies
- Heat one tablespoon oil in a dutch oven or heavy bottomed skillet, over medium heat.
- Add in one small chopped onion and 3 cloves minced garlic.
- Saute for 3-5 minutes or until onions are just beginning to soften.
Step Two: Simmer Sweet Potato Chili
- Add in vegetable or chicken stock, beans, quinoa, seasonings and diced tomatoes to dutch oven.
- Bring chili to a boil.
- Reduce heat and let simmer for 25 minutes or until sweet potato is tender.
Step Three: Serve Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili
- This Vegan chili is delicious served plain or take it really make this over the top by topping with diced avocado, corn chips, and/or chopped cilantro.
- If you are not vegan, top Sweet Potato Chili with shredded cheese and/or sour cream.
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili Instructions
- Saute onion and garlic in 1 tablespoon oil in small non-stick skillet for 3-5 minutes.
- Add onion and garlic mixture to slow cooker.
- Add remaining ingredients to crock-pot and mix well.
- Set for 8 hours on low or 5-6 hours on high.
Substitutions for Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili
- Don't like garlic? Just omit it from this Chili recipe, or use garlic powder for a milder taste.
- If you don't want to mess with chopping an onion, use 2 teaspoons onion powder instead of fresh onion.
- Instead of canned beans, you can use cooked dried beans for this Black Bean Chili Recipe. You can also use pinto beans in place of black beans if desired.
- I have used white quinoa, tri-color quinoa, and red quinoa with success in this Quinoa Chili.
- If you or your family has texture issues with diced tomatoes, blend the tomatoes before adding to the chili. You can also use a 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes in place of diced tomatoes.
More Healthy Sweet Potato Recipes
- Sweet Potato Black Bean Burritos
- Baked Sweet Potato Nachos
- Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Sweet Potato Pancakes
Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 large sweet potato cubed into 1 inch pieces
- 4 cups black beans or 2 (15 ounce) cans, rinsed and drained
- 30 ounces diced tomatoes 2 (15 ounce) cans
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
- 1 cup quinoa rinsed and drained
- 1 ½ tablespoon Chili Seasoning Mix
Instructions
- Heat oil over medium heat in large stock pan or dutch oven.
- Saute onion and garlic for 3- 5 minutes, or until translucent.
- Add remaining ingredients into pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender.
- Top with any desired toppings.
Notes
Nutrition
Marsha Godfrey
tried this today. I followed recipe exactly except for the tomatoes. I did not have diced tomatoes, and I used crushed tomatoes. The chili is so bitter it is barely edible! What's your best guess for where I went wrong?
Is there a standard solution for bitterness in recipes
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Marsha. The bitterness most likely would have been from the crushed tomatoes or the brand of chili powder. I would suggest reheating with 1-2 tablespoons of brown sugar to see if that helps.
rich r.
I am an unapologetic meatitarian, my mother is a "vegetarian in training". I found this after finding your chili spice mix and thought: Why not. If nothing else, she'll like it.
I used the full spice mix instead of the amount listed, and added a bunch of sliced mushrooms, plus Better than Buoillon's Vegetation No Chicken chicken base for the chicken stock. and threw it all into a slow cooker.
A bit sweet, with a hint of spicy. Excellent isn't high enough to describe this.
Kristen Chidsey
Coming from a meatitarian, that is a HUGE compliment. So glad you enjoyed Rich!
Anne Merrin
How would you adapt for the slow-cooker? Would the sweet potato and quinoa get too mushy?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Anne! To prepare in the slow cooker, cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours. It should turn out perfectly! Enjoy!
Brittany Hagopian
Do you cook the quinoa before adding to the chili? Thanks!
Kristen Chidsey
Hey Brittany! The quinoa will cook in the chili--ENJOY!
Brittany Hagopian
Thank you!
Amanda
Hi! I’d like to add meat (perhaps bison or lean beef). When would you recommend adding?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Amanda! I would saute with the onions and garlic and then proceed with the recipe. Enjoy!
Marci Ellsworth
Could you please suggest instant pot directions? Thank you! This recipe looks wonderful!
Kristen Chidsey
I have brand new Instant Pot directions for this!!! YAY! Get the recipe for Instant Pot Black Bean Chili here.
Amy
Is there an Instant Pot version of this recipe? It sounds delicious!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Amy! I need to create an Instant Pot version ASAP! I will say this won't be much faster in the Instant Pot due to pressure coming up and needing to be released naturally. BUT, to make in the Instant Pot. I would turn Instant Pot to saute, add in oil and onions and garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes. Turn IP off, add in stock and scrape up browned bits. Add in spices, sweet potatoes, black beans, quinoa, tomatoes and seal shut. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes on high pressure and then let pressure release naturally. Enjoy!
Jessica
This was my first experience with sweet potato chili and I was NOT disappointed. Filling and full of flavor!
Kristen Chidsey
YAY!!! SO glad you enjoyed Jessica--it is one of my favorites!