Make this hearty sweet potato black bean chili for a quick, nourishing lunch or supper. Vegetarian, gluten-free and freezer friendly.
Sweet potato black bean chili is the meal to make when you’re craving something healthy and delicious, but don’t have much time.
This thick, smoky and not-too-spicy chili is a nourishing bowl that will warm you up inside and out.
And the best part? The recipe uses pantry staples that you probably on hand right now.
Unlike chili made in a slow cooker, this quick version can be ready in about 30 minutes after chopping and prepping your onions and sweet potatoes.
It has wonderful depth of flavor nonetheless, with a touch of maple syrup to play up the natural sugars of the sweet potatoes.
Quick homemade chili spice blend:
I always recommend making your own spice blends if you can. It’s such an easy way to add depth and flavor to whatever you’re cooking, and mixing only takes a few seconds.
For this recipe, you can make the chili spice blend with ground spices you probably already have in your pantry:
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Smoked Paprika
- Chipotle or ancho chili
I don’t usually add dried garlic or onion powder to my blend, but if you have them try adding a teaspoon of each to really amplify the flavors.
Serving suggestions for sweet potato black bean chili:
- This chili is a fantastic make-ahead meal: Double the recipe and freeze portions in individual serving containers.
- Serve this thick chili as is, or with warm tortillas alongside for a complete meal.
- If you’re not a goat cheese fan, try substituting it whole milk yogurt, crumbled feta or aged cheddar.
- Omit the cheese to make vegan chili.
More hearty vegetarian main dish recipes:
- Lazy Sweet Corn and Mushroom Risotto
- Mediterranean Farro Bowl
- Parmesan Polenta with Roasted Vegetables
30-minute sweet potato black bean chili with goat cheese
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield 4 servings
Sweet potato black bean chili is a quick and nutritious vegetarian meal you can make straight from your pantry, full of smoky spice and nourishing ingredients.
- Gluten-free
- Vegetarian/Vegan (omit the goat cheese)
- Quick
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium red onion, chopped
- Fine sea salt
- 2 garlic cloves, pressed or finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon each: Ground cumin, coriander and smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground chipotle (hot) or ancho chili (mild)
- 4 cups peeled and diced sweet potato (about 1 1/2 pounds)
- 4 - 5 cups vegetable stock or water
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Tabasco or Cholula), or more to taste
- 2 (14-ounce) cans black beans, drained
- 4 ounces crumbled soft goat cheese
- Garnishes: Tortilla strips, sliced avocado, cilantro
Instructions
- Place a Dutch oven or 4 - 6 quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and onion. Cook until softened. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and the garlic. Cook about 1 minute or until the garlic smells good.
- Sprinkle in the spices, stirring to dissolve in the oil. Add the sweet potatoes and pour over enough stock or water just to cover them. Partially cover the pot and cook over medium heat until tender but not mushy, about 20 minutes.
- Add maple syrup, hot sauce and beans to the pot. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered another 10 minutes or so to blend the flavors. If you like your chili more soupy, add more stock. Taste for seasoning and add more salt or hot sauce to taste.
- Serve in bowls topped with goat cheese and desired garnishes on top.
Courses main course
Cuisine vegetarian
Hi there! I’m Karen, a mother of two and a professionally trained cook certified in holistic nutrition.
As the recipe developer, photographer and publisher of Familystyle Food, I share recipes and tips for making easy seasonal meals that are healthy and flavorful. Learn more about me here.
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Liza says
November 20, 2009 at 10:29 pmSo who’s it going to be this year? We decided to do an all vegetarian meal, but I might break down and make something with shrimp (shrimp/sweet potato hash…).
marla {Family Fresh Cooking} says
November 23, 2009 at 8:47 amLove your blog!! I just discovered it. Need to get the kids to school, I can’t wait to read more later. This chili recipe looks awesome! We could write a cookbook together as we have a lot of similar ideas about clean, healthy foods 🙂
annabel says
November 24, 2009 at 4:26 pmOhhhh I wish there was more of this, mom!!!!!!!!1
Great picture too:) Except when I was looking at it an ad popped up right on top.
love you 🙂
tracieMoo says
November 26, 2009 at 8:58 amThis recipe sounds really delicious. I’m drooling just by looking at this photo.
Deborah Dowd says
December 4, 2009 at 8:09 pmThis sounds so unusual it must be good! Can’t wait to give it a try.
Alexa says
December 12, 2009 at 2:06 pmSo many wonderful ingredients! Nothing like a hot cup of chili on a cold rainy day. Your recipe is so creative. I’ll be trying it on my family this week.
Karen says
December 12, 2009 at 5:08 pmAlexa, thanks for visiting. I have a thing for chili and so glad cold weather is here to enjoy it!
Christine says
December 19, 2009 at 8:51 pmI absolutely love the combination of sweet potatoes and black beans. I definitely want to make this soon. A question, though, what kind of goat cheese? I was reading about goat cheeses and I guess there is a great variety with a big difference between flavors, textures, etc. What kind did you use?
Cindi Swingen says
December 21, 2009 at 10:25 pmI had this at a staff potluck last week and it was fabulous. I’m making it for my family on Christmas Eve. Scott pointed me in the right direction for the recipe. Thank you for your great web site!