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Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili Recipe

The perfect combo for hearty meal on a cold Fall or Winter Day.

Course Main Course
Cook Time 40 minutes
Author Food Apparel

Ingredients

  • 1-2 sweet potato(s) peeled, diced into 1/4 to 1/2 inch squares
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 small yellow onions diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced can use canned roasted bell peppers
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic approximately 3 cloves
  • 2 cans black beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons cumin (can do a little less)
  • 1 heaping tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3-4 cups beef stock
  • 1/2 small can tomato paste may sub tomato sauce
  • 1 can stewed or diced tomatoes or 2-3 fresh Roma tomatoes blanched, peeled, and diced

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425-450  degrees. Spread diced potatoes out on a high quality baking sheet (I love my gold touch). If desired, sprinkle a little olive oil, salt and and pepper, and cumin for good measure. Cook for 7 minutes, flip, and then 7-10 minutes more. Inside should be soft. Outside should be crunchy and caramelized! (directions in notes for cooking sweet potato in chili from the beginning)

  2. Cook ground beef, onions, bell pepper, and garlic over medium heat until meat is browned and veggies softened, about 7-9 minutes.
  3. Add beans and spices. Stir to combine.

  4. Add beef stock, and tomato paste. Stir to combine.

  5. Add diced tomatoes.

  6. Simmer over medium-low heat 30-40 minutes, and for up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

  7. Continue to let flavors blend until time to serve.

  8. (f you didn't already), right before serving, add the roasted sweet potatoes. Top with your favorite cheese, sour cream, and anything else you fancy. And feel the magic!

Recipe Notes

Change it Up:

Like more kick? Add some cayenne to reach your desired heat level.

If I'm in a mega bell pepper flavor mood, I'll add two roasted reds instead of the one.  

Substitute out the beans or ground beef for different types of proteins. Kidney is a great chili option as well, or a three bean blend (black, kidney, white). And I love using turkey or chicken in chili as well!

Dress it Down:

Don't want beans?  Don't want ground beef? That's easy. Feel free to eliminate one or the other! (But eliminate both, and I'm not quite sure if you have chili anymore. Just sayin'! Make sure you're getting your protein!)

If you don't want to roast the sweet potatoes, that's fine! Just throw them in with the bean and spices and let them cook while everything is coming together.