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    Hummusapien Β» Recipes Β» Lunch and Dinner Β» Zesty Sweet Potato & Bean Chili

    Zesty Sweet Potato & Bean Chili

    Published Nov 6, 2013 Β· Modified Nov 8, 2021 Β· by Alexis Joseph Β· 36 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    My people. It's high time for chili making.

    sp-chili1

    After all, it's almost Thanksgiving AKA it's almost December AKA it's almost 2014 AKA I'm almost done with grad school. Eeeeeeeek! Okay sorry. But it is mid-fall, meaning it's highly likely that you've tried a  chili recipe or three by now. Or is that just me?

    Welp, here's another! Ya see, it has the most fabtastical spice profile. From the sweet cinnamon and cocoa powder (a must) to the zesty fire-roasted tomatoes and smoked paprika, this bowl o' heaven packs a real punch. Speaking of spice, make sure you get fire-roasted diced tomatoes for this recipe. They have lots of warm and fuzzy spices already in there, which is precisely what we want for scrumptious chili. Topping your bowl with cool, creamy avocado chunks is totally necessary too.

    sp-chili4

    I really really really wanted to make cornbread to go with this chili, but I can never finish a whole pan myself. I should have totally made a single serving cornbread loaded with Trader Joe's roasted corn! That would have been clutch. The recipe wheels are turning. Chili without cornbread is almost like a PB&J without the peanut butter. "Can I have PB & J sandwich minus the PB?" Ummmmm no. You can't.

    I feel like all I make these days is warm soupy things. That's because all I make these days is bowls on bowls of chili and soup and more chili and more soup. Then I claim most positively that I'm officially souped out...only to make yet another batch of soup (mushroom quinoa this time) because hey, the mushrooms were on the verge of slimy.

    sp-chili5

    Excuses, excuses.

    I need some texture back in my life, yo. I'm one of those weird people who loves pureed soups that taste like baby food.  I may stop eating all things warm and soupy after I finish off this chili. I may go ham on gazpacho. Or I may not, since I've never even tried gazpacho and Mother Earth is about to get all cold and ruthless on us all any time now.

    Too chilly for gazpacho. Probably not too chilly for chili, though.

    Print
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    Zesty Sweet Potato & Bean Chili

    • Author: Alexis Joseph
    • Prep Time: 10
    • Cook Time: 60
    • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Print Recipe
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    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 tsp olive oil
    • 1 large onion, diced
    • 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 red bell pepper, diced
    • 2 tbsp chili powder
    • 2 tsp cocoa powder
    • 1 tsp cinnamon
    • ½ tsp smoked paprika
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ¼ tsp cayenne
    • 1 (28-ounce) can fire roasted tomatoes, with liquid
    • 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained
    • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
    • 1 cup vegetable broth

    Instructions

    1. In a medium pot over medium heat, sauté onions for about seven minutes, stirring often.
    2. Add sweet potatoes, garlic and bell pepper and sautee for about seven more minutes, stirring often.
    3. Stir in the spices and cook a minute longer.
    4. Add the tomatoes (do not drain), beans and vegetable broth. Bring to a bowl. Reduce heat and simmer, covered for at least 30 minutes (preferably an hour for the best flavor).

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @hummusapien on Instagram. I love sharing what you make!

    About Alexis Joseph

    Oh HEY there! I'm Alexis Joseph, food writer, blogger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), new mama, and co-founder of local restaurant group, Alchemy. I use my passion for cooking and wellness as fuel to help others ignite a more freeing and happy relationship with food. Learn more about Alexis!

    5 Secrets to Delish, Healthy Lunches

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Sherry Holmes says

      February 15, 2019 at 11:09 am

      Happy Friday!
      Just love your website and your recipes!! I think you may have a computer glitch with your Zesty Sweet Potato and Bean recipe today. I've made this one numerous times, but unable to get full information at the moment. If only I were a few years younger . . . I could recall with no written info! Thanks so much for your help. Hope you have a great weekend! Sherry

      Reply
    2. Michelle says

      October 13, 2015 at 5:35 pm

      Loved this recipe! Had to make a few tweaks only because I didn't have some ingredients.... such as 1 cup of water instead of veggie broth... used a cajun spice blend instead of chili powder... it was delicious and not too spicy, which I love. Topped my bowl with some avocado and it was perfect!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        October 13, 2015 at 10:10 pm

        Mmmmm cajun spice blend sounds like a fab addition!

        Reply
    3. Alexis says

      November 12, 2013 at 10:07 am

      I must admit...I'm actually getting sick of chili! Never thought I'd say it.

      Reply
    4. Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says

      November 09, 2013 at 6:43 pm

      I can't stop making huge batches of chili this fall. I think my boyfriend is tired of eating it by now but I can't get enough!

      Reply
    5. Elyse @ Lizzie Fit says

      November 09, 2013 at 9:00 am

      AH I have a sweet potato and black bean chili recipe and it's my FAVE chili recipe of all time. The SP adds so much πŸ™‚ I'll have to try yours. It looks like a warm hug on a cold day!

      Reply
    6. Julie @ HealthNutJulie says

      November 08, 2013 at 11:11 pm

      Ugh tell me about it... Time is seriously flying by!! I can't believe I graduate in a month. WHAT? And I just printed this! I've been on the prowl for some new recipes and I'm going to pretend like it's cold here so I can enjoy this to the fullest extent πŸ™‚

      Reply
    7. Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen says

      November 08, 2013 at 7:15 pm

      I love sweet potato and bean chili, but I've never tried adding cocoa powder and cinnamon to mine... I'm super curious to try that. I pretty much love chocolate in everything, and I'm sure chili would be no exception. πŸ˜‰

      Reply
    8. claire says

      November 08, 2013 at 6:09 pm

      This looks so delicious! Perfect for a chilly fall night. This is the first time I've come across your blog, love your food philosophy!

      Reply
    9. Alexis says

      November 08, 2013 at 6:24 pm

      You know it girl! Mmmmmm.

      Reply
    10. Alexis says

      November 08, 2013 at 6:24 pm

      Eeeeeek thanks!! I hate to say it but I'm THIS close to being sick of chili.

      Reply
    11. Alexis says

      November 08, 2013 at 6:22 pm

      I'm beyond jealous that it's so hot there!! Don't mind me as I peruse the internet for slippers and an electric blanket...

      Reply
    12. Alexis says

      November 08, 2013 at 6:21 pm

      Man oh man that's the worst. I guess you'll just have to make some more chili my friend!

      Reply
    13. Alexis says

      November 08, 2013 at 6:19 pm

      You can't taste the cocoa powder at all*** MAN I can't talk today!!

      Reply
    14. Alexis says

      November 08, 2013 at 6:14 pm

      Glad you found me, Claire! It's get suuuper cold outside both night and day, so this has been a real life saver.

      Reply
    15. Arman @ thebigmansworld says

      November 08, 2013 at 5:08 am

      Wow cocoa powder and cinnamon in Chilli...I'm intrigued! although Morganne (nutbutterrunner) got me onto cinnamon in tuna salad!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 08, 2013 at 6:15 pm

        You can't taste the cocoa powder and at...I swear. I think it adds some richness and flavah flave. I totally should have added prunes...killing myself for not thinking of that sooner.

        Reply
    16. Matt @ Runner Savvy says

      November 07, 2013 at 8:47 pm

      Looks delicious!

      Reply
    17. Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog says

      November 07, 2013 at 4:40 pm

      Agreed. Cornbread and chili are just meant to be. I love the roasted corn from TJs. Putting it in cornbread just might be the greatest idea yet. πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 08, 2013 at 6:20 pm

        Isn't it the best?? SO much better than regular old corny corn.

        Reply
    18. Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says

      November 07, 2013 at 3:48 pm

      Ugh, this looks like perfection. Especially with the avocado on top. Yum!

      I agree- you have to have cornbread with your chili. HAVE TO. I didn't know TJ's had single servings of cornbread with roasted corn. Lookout TJ's! Here I come. πŸ˜‰

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 08, 2013 at 6:20 pm

        I was just fantasizing about making a single serving cornbread WITH TJ's roasted corn--they don't actually sell it, even though they totes should!!

        Reply
    19. Ang @ Nutty for Life says

      November 07, 2013 at 2:05 pm

      So this recipe sounds much more appealing than the sweet potato chili I made this week. I wish this post would have come sooner! Oh well, you win some you lose some.

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 08, 2013 at 6:21 pm

        Man oh man that's the worst. I guess you'll just have to make some more chili my friend!

        Reply
    20. Khushboo says

      November 07, 2013 at 1:04 pm

      PB & J sans PB is lame...and no one wants to be lame right? It's sweltering hot outside right now but that's not stopping me from adding this to my "To Make STAT" list...I'll just to have blast the air conditioning while I'm eating my bowl :-).

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 08, 2013 at 6:22 pm

        I'm beyond jealous that it's so hot there!! Don't mind me as I peruse the internet for slippers and an electric blanket...

        Reply
    21. Julia says

      November 07, 2013 at 11:26 am

      I absolutely love chili! I could eat it every day of my life and I could probably never get sick of sweet potato chili. Lovin it, lady!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 08, 2013 at 6:24 pm

        Eeeeeek thanks!! I hate to say it but I'm THIS close to being sick of chili.

        Reply
    22. Davida @ The Healthy Maven says

      November 07, 2013 at 8:54 am

      You made this just to go with my cornbread right? Thanks πŸ˜‰

      Reply
    23. Amy @ The Little Honey Bee says

      November 07, 2013 at 6:05 am

      This sounds sooo good! Cocoa powder? Cinnamon? Yes please!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 08, 2013 at 6:24 pm

        Coming right up doll!

        Reply
    24. Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says

      November 07, 2013 at 9:50 am

      Yummy! I love the fact that it's vegetarian. I have a chili recipe that calls for hot chocolate mix and adding that in totally makes all the difference in the world. So good!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 08, 2013 at 6:24 pm

        It's the Skyline chili lover in me πŸ™‚

        Reply
    25. Amanda @ .running with spoons. says

      November 07, 2013 at 12:12 am

      I'd ask for a PB&J without the PB... buuuuut I'm allergic to peanuts, so I guess that doesn't quite count πŸ˜› This chili sounds -amazing- though. I've never tried adding cocoa powder to chili before, but I can imagine that it adds an awesome depth to the dish. And honestly... chocolate is never a bad idea!

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        November 08, 2013 at 6:26 pm

        Okay missy, I hereby give you permission to subtract the PB. You MUST add cocoa to your next batch of chili...serious depth of flavor. And so true--chocolate is NEVER a bad idea. It's always an excellent idea.

        Reply
    26. Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says

      November 06, 2013 at 11:31 pm

      My two favorite fall foods to add to chili are definitely sweet potatoes and butternut squash...SO good!!

      Reply

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