Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili

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Make a double batch of this quick vegetarian chili, full of black beans and sweet potatoes, and eat it for lunch the next day or freeze the extras for another night.

Active Time:
25 mins
Additional Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings, about 2 cups each
  • This chili is quick to prepare. A double batch can be enjoyed for several days or even frozen.
  • Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, which is beneficial for immune health and eye health.
  • You can also substitute sweet potatoes with butternut squash, and it will taste just as delicious.

You don't have to be a vegan to enjoy this delicious plant-based Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili. The warm and smoky flavors of cumin, chili powder and chipotle perfectly complement fiber-rich sweet potatoes and black beans. The natural starch of the potatoes and beans helps thicken this warm, hearty dish, while the lime juice adds a burst of acidity and the cilantro finishes it off with a punch of freshness. This chili is high on antioxidants and packed with flavor, so enjoy it any time of year. Keep reading for our expert tips on how to prep your sweet potatoes, smart ingredient substitutions and more!

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • Peeling sweet potatoes is a matter of personal preference. In this recipe, we peel them for a smoother, thicker chili. If you prefer chunkier chili, keep the peels on for added fiber and texture.
  • You could try this recipe with butternut squash instead of sweet potato.
  • You might want to get creative with garnishes. Melted Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese would be excellent on top, along with sliced radish, scallions or finely chopped sweet onion. An avocado would add creaminess, and sour cream (vegan if you wish) can help tame the heat. Add fresh chopped tomato or roasted corn for even more veggies.
  • This crowd-pleasing recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.

Nutrition Notes

  • Sweet potatoes are a nutritious addition to your diet. They are packed with beta carotene, an antioxidant that helps reduce oxidative stress (the kind that damages your cells). Beta carotene is converted in the body to vitamin A, which is essential for immune health and for good eyesight. And don't forget about the fiber! Sweet potatoes are excellent for gut health and for feeding your microbiome.
  • Black beans are a great source of plant-based protein. They're also packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Regularly including legumes like black beans in your diet may reduce your risk of disease, including heart disease. Black beans have a special type of fiber called resistant starch, which improves gut health. Black beans are also low glycemic and can help keep blood sugar stable.
  • While onions may make you cry while cutting them, there is no reason to cry over their health benefits. Packed with antioxidants, onions have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. They may help with blood pressure, and for people with diabetes they can help lower blood sugar.
Overhead photo of Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili ingredients in individual containers.

Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 medium-large sweet potato, peeled and diced

  • 1 large onion, diced

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoons chili powder

  • 4 teaspoons ground cumin

  • ½ teaspoon ground chipotle chile

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • cups water

  • 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed

  • 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes

  • 4 teaspoons lime juice

  • ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sweet potato and onion and cook, stirring often, until the onion is beginning to soften, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, chipotle and salt and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. Add water and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the sweet potato is tender, 10 to 12 minutes.

    Sweet potatoes, onion, and spices and water for the sweet potato & black bean chili recipe in a Dutch oven

    Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

  2. Add beans, tomatoes and lime juice; increase heat to high and return to a simmer, stirring often. Reduce heat and simmer until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro.

    Sweet potato & black bean chili in a white bowl with a spoon in it. Lime wedges on the side and fresh cilantro sprinkled on top

    Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

Equipment

Dutch oven

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is there a substitute for ground chipotle?

    We love the smoky heat ground chipotle lends to this chili. Chipotle peppers are smoked jalapeño peppers found in jars in a thick adobo sauce or dried and ground into powder. Ground chipotle chile pepper can be found in the spice section of most supermarkets or online. If you can't find dried chipotle, you can substitute it with the jarred variety, adding 1 chopped chipotle in adobo in place of the ground. Chipotle peppers can be on the spicy side, so if you prefer a more mild chili, you can substitute regular chili powder for the chipotle or skip it altogether.

  • What should I serve with sweet potato black bean chili?

    This chili is great served with tortilla chips, which you can buy or make in an air fryer, or cornbread (try Dolly Parton's family skillet cornbread recipe). And if you want to keep the meal vegan, pair the chili with our Vegan Creamy Coleslaw.

  • How should I store and reheat Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili?

    Cover and refrigerate the chili for up to 3 days or freeze it for 3 months. When it's time to warm it up, heat it covered with foil in a 350°F oven for about 20 to 30 minutes. You can also heat it over medium heat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Cover and heat in 2-minute intervals until heated through. Add a little water to the chili, no matter which method you decide on.

EatingWell Soups Special Issue April 2016

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

323 Calories
8g Fat
55g Carbs
13g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size about 2 cups
Calories 323
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 55g 20%
Dietary Fiber 16g 56%
Total Sugars 13g
Protein 13g 25%
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 1g 6%
Vitamin A 12409IU 248%
Vitamin C 24mg 27%
Folate 118mcg 29%
Sodium 573mg 25%
Calcium 164mg 13%
Iron 5mg 29%
Magnesium 42mg 10%
Potassium 1073mg 23%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Hilary Meyer,
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer is a recipe developer, tester, and content creator. After graduating from culinary school, she started working the EatingWell Test Kitchen in 2006, developing and testing recipes.
Carrie Myers, M.S.,
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS,
Sarah Pflugradt

Sarah Pflugradt is a registered dietitian who holds a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her extensive background in dietetics has made her a sought-after expert in family and youth sports nutrition.

and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.