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. Scoop it up with Homemade Tortilla Chips, pile on some Loaded Guacamole, and if you're feeding a crowd, set it out alongside a pot of Chicken Tortilla Soup for the ultimate cozy night spread.
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.
So good!!! and so easy to make
Outstanding ! My go to recipe for my guests who are vegan and gluten free. So delicious !
I am NOT a sweet potato fan, but I watched Gaby’s Instagram live making this and still thought it sounded good - I loved it! The sweet potatoes provided nice texture and body to the chili.
I also subbed sweet paprika for the chipotle (1:1) because I don’t care for the smokiness of chipotle.
Topped with sliced avocado, cilantro, and crumbled cotija cheese - it was excellent!
This was a big hit in our house! My husband accidentally squeezed a lemon in instead of a lime - still yummy. We served it with avocado slices and cheese. Next time I'm going to make a double batch so I can make one for the freezer.
Turned out great. I followed what you did on the recent IGTV video and did not peel the potatoes and used red onion. I used a can of fire roasted tomatoes to add more kick as we like things spicy. Served with chunky avocado smash and cilantro. thanks for another great recipe
Wow what a dish! I watched Gaby's Insta story of her making it. It looked easy and great so wanted to try it. I'll tell you- it def lives up to it! Reasons why this may be my new go-to chili recipe-
1. Healthy. Hello 2020! What a great healthy meal with the quinoa and sweet potato. Vegetarian yumminess.
2. Easy. This was super easy to make. Chop it and throw it in Le Creuset.
3. Fast. At 30 min - as soon as I was done cleaning up the kitchen- meal was done.
4. Delicious. Most impt. This hearty dish was full of flavor and I felt I could eat the whole thing. Added guac on top. Also added the squeeze of lime at the end but am not really a lime person that don't think I needed it. But it adds a nice citrus touch.
My one note is just watch the cooking of the dish. I had a chili consistency but I let it simmer 2 more min. It started to turn too mushy. Quinoa can easy go very mushy so just watch your pot. This recipe is a keeper and probably will be making it over and over again!! Thanks Gaby!
Of all the meals I make- this is a consistent hit. It’s what led me to Gaby’s old Snapchat then Instagram and then meet and greet and cookbook purchase...and it’s my OG WGC recipe that my friends know I make for most Naval Academy football games. This year we resolved to eat less meat so it’s going to be a monthly staple for us! 5 starts highly recommend, would make again and again and again.
Made this tonight and it was fabulous. I didn’t want it spicy so only used 1 Tbsp chili powder and no chipotle pepper and it had just the slightest of kicks for my sensitive palate. The lime juice and cilantro take it to the next level. This is definitely a keeper!
Unbelievable!!
Super yummy and easy. I subbed the sweet potato for a large Idaho potato, and served served it with all the avocado and cheese. It came out perfect and reheats well! Adding this to my list of go-to chilis/soups!
Amazing! Everyone in my family loves it. It’s the perfect hardy soup for a cold night.
Love this chili and like all of Gaby’s recipes, it’s full of flavor and always a crowd pleaser!
Our go-to weeknight chili! Super filling and great for lunch the next day.
Took this to work for a chili cook off and WON! So surprised, not because I didn’t think it was good, but because it is VEGAN and so non-traditional. Very delicious.
How many servings does this serve..Making this tonight!
updated!!