Black Bean and Sweet Potato

With chilly days rolling in, nothing hits the spot like a big bowl of warm chili. Let’s talk about one of my absolute go-tos for fall and winter: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili. It’s super tasty and it keeps you feeling good, packed with plenty of stuff your body needs. Vegans, vegetarians, or anyone wanting a nourishing meal—this one’s for you.

Irresistible Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

Why do I reach for this so often? Well, it’s super straightforward—especially if you use a slow cooker. Just picture walking in after a long day to that amazing smell of spicy, sweet, and savory goodness drifting through your home. When life gets busy, there’s nothing easier than this for dinner. The stars here are sweet potatoes and black beans. Not only do they taste great together, they’re full of good stuff like vitamins, fiber, minerals, and protein. It hits that sweet spot of filling but good for you, too.

Shopping List

• 1/4 cup water
• 1 large onion, chopped up
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinse and drain
• 2 tablespoons chili powder (try chipotle or ancho for even more heat)
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 cups veggie broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Garnish: fresh cilantro, chopped
• Lime wedges to squeeze on top
• Extras for serving: avocado, cheese, sour cream, chopped tomatoes

Getting Stuff Ready

• Dice that bell pepper medium so it softens just right.
• Cube up your sweet potatoes into small, even chunks—makes them cook evenly.
• Chop the onion into similar pieces so nothing gets left behind in the pan.
• Mince garlic real fine so it spreads the flavor everywhere.

Easy Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

First thing, pour some olive oil in a big pan and get it hot over medium-high. Toss in the chopped onion and let it get soft and see-through (about five minutes). If you nail this part, your chili will taste even better. Now drop in the minced garlic, give it a good stir for a minute so it smells awesome—just keep an eye on it so nothing burns. That onion-and-garlic smell will be your new favorite.

Spices and Veggies Magic

• Next, sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika (if you're in the mood), plus salt and pepper. Let them toast for a minute so all those flavors come out.
• Sweet potatoes and bell pepper go in now. Let ‘em hang out in the pan for five minutes. This gets them just a little soft before heading to the slow cooker.

Into the Slow Cooker

• Dump in the tomatoes, black beans, veggie broth, and water. Give everything a good mix so all the flavors get to know each other.
• Pop the lid on and let it cook—low will take 6-8 hours, high knocks it out in 3-4 hours. That’s it; the slow cooker does the rest.

  Other Ways to Cook

  • Instant Pot: Sauté the onion, garlic, sweet potatoes, and bell pepper right inside. Pour in everything else, lock it up, and cook on high pressure for 15–20 minutes. Let it chill before opening.
  • On the stove: Sizzle up your aromatics, then just toss in everything else in a big pot. Bring it up to a boil, turn it to low, and simmer for 30–40 minutes until the potatoes are soft.

  Eat It Your Way

  • Give it a squeeze of lime and shower on fresh cilantro. That makes everything extra tasty.
  • Go wild with toppings—try avocado chunks, a dollop of sour cream, a handful of shredded cheese, or some diced tomatoes for a twist.
  • Scoop it up with warm corn tortillas, toss it on a kale salad, or go full comfort and serve with crusty bread or over quinoa.

  Why It’s So Good For You

  • Lots of fiber: Between sweet potatoes and beans, this one’s good for your gut and keeps you full.
  • All that protein from black beans keeps vegetarians and vegans happy.
  • Vitamins everywhere: Sweet potatoes pile on vitamin A, C, potassium, and all the other good minerals.
  • Plenty of antioxidants, thanks to everything from potatoes to bell peppers and tomatoes.

  Switch It Up

  • Spice level is totally up to you. You can crank it by adding more chili powder or tossing in chipotle or ancho peppers.
  • If you want to mix things up, toss in extra veggies, maybe some chopped kale, or even a can of green chilies for a new twist.
  • Make it extra filling by stirring in cooked quinoa at the end.

  Great for Chilly Weather

  • This dish is warm, cozy, and hearty—totally hits the spot in winter.
  • Sweets potatoes and black beans are easy to find and don’t cost much this time of year.
  • Got a lot of people coming over? Easily double or triple everything, and let everyone pile on their favorite toppings.

  Topping Ideas and Extras

  • Top with creamy avocado slices for extra richness.
  • Finish with a fresh squeeze of lime for zing.
  • Toss on some chopped cilantro and green onions to freshen it up.
  • If you eat dairy, add some shredded cheese or a dollop of sour cream for a creamy kick.
  • Don’t forget the tortilla chips—crunchy, salty, and fun!

  Wrap-Up: Perfect for Any Day

  If you want something easy, healthy, and cozy for dinner, you really can’t go wrong here. Whether you’re cooking for the crew or just feeding yourself after a busy day, this hits the mark. It’s quick to throw together, good for you, and you can switch things up every time. Seriously—try it your way. Drop a comment with your tweaks and let me know what you came up with. I love hearing about your swaps and spins. This isn’t just dinner—it’s a great way to bring your friends and family together. Even if you’re not a pro in the kitchen, you’ll pull this off, no sweat. Grab your slow cooker and give it a whirl. Have fun with it!