This smoky black bean sweet potato chili is going to rock your world! Honestly, it’s the best vegetarian chili to ever grace my kitchen: 100% a game changer.
I’m about to say something bold: this black bean sweet potato chili will convert any meat lover. I know, it’s a bold statement. And you might not believe me. But after years of hearing from you guys about this recipe, I stand by it confidently. Chili is an ESSENTIAL fall/winter recipe, and with all the black beans, sweet potatoes and spices in this black bean sweet potato chili, you won’t miss the meat one bit. If you do prefer meat in your chili, I have a smoky beef and black bean chili that is delicious and an easy white chicken chili or a turkey chili based on your preference!
Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili at a Glance
- 🕒 Total Time: 55 minutes (10 min prep + 45 min cook)
- 👪 Servings: 4 people
- 🍝 Cuisine Type: Tex-Mex / Vegetarian Chili
- 🧂 Flavor Profile: Smoky, hearty, mildly spicy with sweet-potato warmth, black-bean richness and fresh lime brightness
- 📖 Dietary Info: Vegan/vegetarian (if toppings are dairy-free), gluten-free, meat-free
- 📦 Storage Notes: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 4 days; freezes very well for up to 3 months when portioned.
- ⭐ Why You’ll Love It: A game-changing vegetarian chili that even meat-lovers will crave—loaded with sweet potatoes, black beans, quinoa and bold spices for serious comfort and freezer-friendly ease.
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Why I Love This Recipe
Loaded with chili powder, chipotle peppers, cumin, beans, tomatoes, and quinoa, this black bean sweet potato chili is basically a giant party in a pot—and it’s seriously addictive. Make it, enjoy it, and then pack up the leftovers for lunch the next day to make everyone jealous. I love making a double batch on the weekend and freezing small portions for easy meals later in the week.
It freezes beautifully! Once it’s cooled completely, portion the chili into airtight containers or freezer-safe bags and label them. When you’re ready to enjoy, transfer a portion to the fridge and let it thaw overnight. To reheat, warm it on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of broth or water until it’s hot and bubbly, or heat it gently in the microwave, stirring every minute or so. Either way, it tastes just as incredible as the day you made it.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Substitutions
- Butternut Squash is a great substitute for sweet potatoes
- Farro or rice also works in place of quinoa. You might need a tiny bit extra time for farro, and a little extra liquid. But both are delish.
- Black beans can be substituted with any of your favorite canned bean. If you want to make your own beans, this is my favorite Super Simple Stovetop Beans.
Toppings
- Serving suggestions: avocado, cilantro, crema, grated cheese
*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below.
How to Make Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili
Step 1: Heat a large heavy bottom pot with the oil over medium high heat. Add the sweet potato and onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until the onion is softened. Add the garlic, chili powder, chipotle, cumin and salt and stir to combine.
Step 2: Add the stock, tomatoes, black beans and quinoa and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir to incorporate. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for 30-40 minutes until the quinoa is fully cooked and the sweet potatoes are soft and the entire mixture is thick like a chili.
Step 3: Add the lime juice and remove the pot from the heat. Season with salt as needed. Garnish with avocado, cilantro, crema or cheese before serving.
How to Store Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili
You can store this for 4 days in an airtight container and re-heat on the stove or microwave when its time to eat.
How to Freeze Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili
This is a great recipe for freezing. I recommend portioning out when freezing so you only have to thaw as much as you need. This can be frozen for 3 months. Recommend thawing in the fridge overnight to make re-heating easier.
Tips & Tricks
This is a vegan/vegetarian chili so keep that in mind when choosing your toppings! Just make sure everyone knows what is dairy and what isn't.
FAQs
Can I use different beans in chili if I do not have black beans?
You can use kidney or pinto beans if you do not have black beans. Some people also like doing a mix of the different beans. However, make sure you are doing canned beans in that case since different beans can have slightly different cook times. If you want to make your own beans, this is my favorite recipe.
Is black bean sweet potato chili gluten-free?
Yes!! Chili is a great crowd-pleaser, and easy to make in a larger quantity. This recipe makes it even more fit for a gathering, since its gluten free and vegan (omit the crema and grated cheese or just keep them on the side as a topping station).
Stuck in a dinner rut? Looking for new delicious dinner ideas? Check out my roundup of 50+ easy dinner ideas here.
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today
Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus 2 extra teaspoons
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 1 large red onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 ½ cups vegetable stock
- 1 15-ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 14.5-ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- ½ cup dried quinoa
- 4 teaspoons lime juice
- serving suggestions: avocado, cilantro, crema, grated cheese
Instructions
- Heat a large heavy bottom pot with the oil over medium high heat.
- Add the sweet potato and onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until the onion is softened. Add the garlic, chili powder, chipotle, cumin and salt and stir to combine.
- Add the stock, tomatoes, black beans and quinoa and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir to incorporate.
- Cover the pot and reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Cook for 30-40 minutes until the quinoa is fully cooked and the sweet potatoes are soft and the entire mixture is thick like a chili.
- Add the lime juice and remove the pot from the heat. Season with salt as needed.
- Garnish with avocado, cilantro, crema or cheese before serving.
What cheese do you like best with this fabulous recipe?
I love a monterey jack!
All the cooks in my family make this on repeat all the time. It is not only healthy but it taste GREAT !!!!
I just baked a giant sweet potato because I didn't know what to do with it. It's baked through, could I just cut it up and add it after the onions are cooked so that it doesn't break apart too badly?
sure can!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! The way you’ve explained the steps makes it so easy to follow, and the pictures are really helpful. I can’t wait to try this at home – it looks absolutely delicious
Could you make this in a crockpot?
I've made this many times. It is one of my favourites! The lime juice is essential. I made it without one time because I didn't have any and it just wasn't the same. Now I juice limes and freeze them as ice cubes and keep them in freezer bags so I will always have some.
Every time I make this, someone wants the recipe. It also freezes like a dream, perfect for individual portions.
Just discovered your channel. This is the best chili we've ever had! I don't think I'll ever go back to my old chili! Outstanding! Thank you so much!!!!
Yummy! It really thickened up so I will cut back on the quinoa to 1/3 cup next time. Also added Tajin seasoning and some mole powder.
About how many cups of the diced sweet potato does the recipe yield? I had purchased a package of prediced/cubed sweet potatoes that I would like to add. Thank you.
you can add as many as you want so long as they are covered by the liquid! its a very flexible recipe
Can I totally skip the quinoa or rice?
sure can
How much is 'one large sweet potato'? I actually looked it up...anywhere from 10oz to 2 lbs.
The beauty to this recipe, is any size will work. I'd go with 1 pound at least
Everyone I make this for lives it. It freezes well and is better the second and third day.
So yummy! I had lentils so I used that instead of quinoa. Will definitely be making this again.