Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

Updated: Oct 12th, 2021 · By Bethany Kramer
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Learn how to make the easiest sweet potato black bean chili! A sweet and spicy plant-based chili that is loaded with flavor and is simply delicious.

A ceramic bowl with sweet potato black bean chili in it, topped with avocado slices and cilantro leaves. The bowl is arranged on a gray background with tortilla chips, a gray napkin, and cilantro placed around the bowl.

This plant-based chili is a frequent go-to in our house! Especially in the cold winters when we’re craving something cozy.

Now, if you’ve never had sweet potatoes in chili before, I can promise you it is absolutely worth trying. It’s the perfect touch of sweetness that balances the extra spices! I absolutely love it.

As a whole this chili is super hearty & satisfying, filled with zesty flavor, and is quick and easy to prepare.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make this chili, you’ll need just a handful of pantry ingredients to make it happen. Here’s everything you need: sweet potatoes, black beans, oil, water, diced tomatoes, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin.

Ingredients for sweet potato black bean chili arranged on a gray background.

How to Make Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

(1) First, peel the sweet potato and dice into 1 inch cubes.

(2) Then add cubed sweet potatoes to a pot with oil, cook for 2-3 minutes.

(3) Add diced tomatoes, black beans, water, spices, and salt & pepper. Simmer soup for 35-40 minutes, stir often.

(4) When the soup is finished, serve with avocado slices, cilantro, and tortilla chips!

Tips for Success

  • Using fire roasted ingredients: In this recipe I recommend using both fire roasted frozen corn and diced tomatoes because it adds a delicious level of flavor.
  • Different beans to use: you can also use cannellini beans, pinto, or kidney beans as well.
  • Our favorite chili toppings: add even more flavor with these additional toppings such as: sour cream, shredded cheese, and tortilla strips. You can also add a touch of hot sauce for extra heat.
  • Serve it over rice: One of my favorite ways to eat chili growing up was serving it over white rice. Kinda like you would serve up a stew or a chickpea masala. If the chili is thick enough it’s the perfect combination!

Storing & Freezing Tips

Keep leftover chili fresh: let cool to room temperature and store chili in an airtight container for 3-5 days.

How to freeze: let cool to room temperature and store in a freezer-friendly bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 1-2 months.

A ceramic bowl with sweet potato black bean chili in it, topped with avocado slices and cilantro leaves. The bowl is arranged on a gray background with tortilla chips, a gray napkin, and cilantro placed around the bowl.

What to Serve it With

This chili is simply delicious all on its own. But, if you’re looking for something extra to serve alongside it you can pair it with a salad like our vegetarian taco salad, or this apple pomegranate salad. And homemade cornbread is always delicious served alongside chili!

More Chili Recipes to Try

Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

5 from 4 votes
Learn how to make the easiest sweet potato black bean chili! A sweet and spicy plant-based chili that is loaded with flavor and is simply delicious.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Serves 4 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small to medium sweet potato or 1 1/2 cups
  • 1 15 oz. fire roasted diced or crushed tomatoes
  • 1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup filtered water

Spices & Seasonings

Toppings

  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 1 Tablespoon cilantro, chopped
  • tortilla chips

Instructions

  • Cut the sweet potato: Use a peeler to remove the skin from the sweet potato, then cut into 1-inch cube pieces.
  • Sauté sweet potato: In a large pot, cook sweet potato pieces in oil for about 2-3 minutes.
  • Simmer chili: add diced tomatoes, black beans, water, and all of spices and seasonings. Let simmer and thicken – cook for 35-40 minutes, stirring often.
  • Taste and adjust: When the chili is finished, taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  • Serve with toppings: serve chili with chopped cilantro, tortilla chips, and sliced avocado. Enjoy!

Video

YouTube video

Notes

Keep leftover chili fresh: let cool to room temperature and store chili in an airtight container for 3-5 days.
How to freeze: let cool to room temperature and store in a freezer-friendly bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 1-2 months.
Course Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American, Mexican
Keyword sweet potato black bean chili, sweet potato chili
Freezer Friendly Yes
Author A SImple Palate

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 242kcal | Carbohydrates: 41.5g | Protein: 8.2g | Fat: 4.1g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 463.1mg | Potassium: 0mg | Fiber: 14.1g | Sugar: 4.6g | Vitamin A: 56IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 0mg | Iron: 0mg

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15 Comments

  • Jean Hess says:

    Love this chili. I have made it four times, and every time I have been pleased. I add a minced jalapeno for brightness, skip the cilantro and half the chili powder.

  • Zuleita says:

    Oh my this was so delicious my husband and I are taking it camping with us .Thank you so much for this awesome recipe we love it !

  • erin says:

    5 stars
    this is truly one of the most delicious things i have ever tasted. made it all the time after my friend died and it was truly one of the only things that gave me comfort

    • Bethany says:

      Erin, this warmed my heart. I’m so sorry for your loss, truly. Grateful for your message and so happy that this recipe could be so comforting. ❤️

    • Zuleita says:

      Oh my this was so delicious my husband and I are taking it camping with us .Thank you so much for this awesome recipe we love it !

  • Albertina says:

    This sweet potato chili looks amazing and sounds perfect for this weekend!

  • Kayla says:

    Made this last night and it was sweeter than I’m used to for a chili but in a good way! Could easily add some spice to it if you prefer a spicy kick. I added some spinach in there for the last few minutes to get some greens in and am excited to have it for leftovers today!

    • Bethany Kramer says:

      I totally agree a little spiciness is perfect with the sweet potato! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂

  • Andrew says:

    5 stars
    Just made this and it was delicious. It surprised me how easy it was to make too. After cutting up the sweet potatoes at the beginning, you just add everything together in one pot. My kind of meal. My wife loved it too! Thank you!

  • Breeta says:

    This chili looks amazing!! Has such a great fall look to it! I’m super excited to try it out!! Thanks for sharing!

  • Sean says:

    5 stars
    Chili was AMAZING. Just the right mix of heat and flavor, would definitely eat again and again!

  • Amanda NYer says:

    5 stars
    Had this tonight with family and friends. My boyfriend isn’t fond of sweet potato and he ended up gobbling this up! You can change the amount of spice if you’d like but the spice was on point here. Very delicious and hearty.You don’t even miss the meat! 😀