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Easy • Vegetarian

Speedy Black Bean & Sweet Potato Chili

A flavorful and satisfying vegetarian chili packed with sweet potatoes, black beans, and warm spices, ready in under 30 minutes.

Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Servings
4
Level
Easy
Speedy Black Bean & Sweet Potato Chili

Warm up your weeknights with this incredibly quick and comforting black bean and sweet potato chili! It’s hearty, packed with flavor, and surprisingly speedy, making it a perfect plant-based meal for busy evenings. Plus, cleanup is a breeze!

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Main

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained (optional, or another can of black beans)
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For Serving (Optional)

  • Avocado slices
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Tortilla chips

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Stir in the minced garlic, diced sweet potato, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant.

  3. Step 3

    Add the diced tomatoes (undrained), black beans, kidney beans (if using), and vegetable broth to the pot. Stir well to combine.

  4. Step 4

    Bring the chili to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

  5. Step 5

    Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. If you prefer a thicker chili, you can mash a small portion of the sweet potatoes and beans against the side of the pot.

  6. Step 6

    Ladle into bowls and serve hot with your favorite toppings like avocado, sour cream, cheese, or fresh cilantro. Enjoy!

Tips

  • To speed up cooking the sweet potato, you can microwave it for 3-5 minutes until slightly tender before adding to the pot.
  • Add a can of corn for extra sweetness and texture.
  • Leftovers are even better the next day as the flavors deepen.

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