Description
This hearty Crock Pot Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili is a flavorful, comforting dish perfect for chilly days. Packed with nutritious sweet potatoes, black beans, and a blend of warm spices, it’s an easy, hands-off recipe that simmers slowly in a slow cooker to develop deep, rich flavors. Customize it with optional ingredients like chipotle peppers, maple syrup, or fresh lime juice for extra dimension. Ideal as a vegetarian main or a wholesome side, this chili serves about 12 bowls and is perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 green bell peppers, diced
- 4 tsp minced garlic
- 4 cans (15 oz each) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cans (15 oz each) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 2 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp salt
- 6 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth
- 4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
Optional Flavor Twists
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo, finely chopped (for smoky heat)
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (for a hint of sweetness)
- Juice of 1 lime and chopped cilantro (for freshness)
- 1 cup frozen corn or 1 zucchini, diced (for extra vegetable content)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Dice the onion, green bell peppers, and sweet potatoes, and mince the garlic to have everything ready for the slow cooker.
- Combine in Crock Pot: Add all the main ingredients—including black beans, diced tomatoes, spices, broth, and vegetables—into a large Crock Pot. Stir thoroughly to combine all flavors evenly.
- Cook the Chili: Cover and cook on low heat for 6–8 hours or on high heat for 3–4 hours, until the sweet potatoes are tender and the flavors meld beautifully.
- Adjust Seasoning: Stir the chili well, then taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding salt, cayenne, or optional flavor twists to suit your preference.
- Serve: Dish up hot chili, optionally topping with avocado slices, shredded cheese, or a dollop of sour cream to add creaminess and richness to each bowl.
Notes
- You can substitute vegetable broth with chicken broth if you prefer a non-vegetarian version.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on your heat preference.
- For added smoky heat, include a finely chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce.
- Maple syrup adds a subtle sweetness that balances the spiciness.
- Fresh lime juice and cilantro at the end brighten the flavors wonderfully.
- The chili keeps well refrigerated for up to 5 days and freezes beautifully.
- Adding frozen corn or zucchini increases vegetable content and texture variety.
