A comforting, nourishing meal that fills you up and tastes amazing. This Sweet Potato Turkey Chili is a set it and forget it meal that comes together in the crockpot with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
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About this Chili
Is there anything better than a warm cozy meal? I think not! This Sweet Potato Turkey Chili is the epitome of cozy comfort food and a current favorite of mine. It's saucy, cheesy and rich with flavor from tomato and spice. I love serving buttered toast alongside this chili or crumbling crackers overtop for a little something extra!
The best part of this turkey chili is how easy it is thanks to the magic of slow cookers. You all know I love my key kitchen appliances and this is certainly one of them. Makes life so much simpler when I can toss everything in and let it go!
And if you love chili, you should also check out this Dairy Free White Chicken Chili or if you love sweet potatoes check out this Baked Sweet Potato Recipe which are both hearty meals I'm sure you'll love, too.
Recipe Ingredients
- Sweet Potatoes - The natural sweetness sweet potatoes bring to this recipe is so pleasant. Plus, they're a complex carb that'll leave you feeling so satisfied.
- Turkey - A great lean meat option for this chili. Turkey is actually super tasty when you cook it with proper and enough seasoning.
- Veggies - This recipe includes white onion, bell peppers, and tomatoes (sauce, paste, and diced tomatoes, that is).
- Black Beans - Adds plant based protein, fiber, and great texture to this healthy chili recipe. Kidney beans or pinto beans are also good options.
- Sriracha - Adds a bit of heat to this sweet potato chili that elevates the flavors of everything else.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
What's extra special about a good chili recipe is that it's so versatile. This turkey sweet potato chili can easily change with a few simple swaps or tasty add ins! Customize this to fit your budget, use up extra food, satisfy a taste preference, or accommodate a dietary need.
- Potatoes: Sweet potatoes go very well in this chili recipe but you can also swap for regular potatoes.
- Meat: The ground turkey is my favorite lean meat option for chili but shredded chicken or regular ground beef are options, too. For a vegetarian/vegan version, simply leave the meat out entirely, add impossible meat (or another type), or sub for another can of beans.
- Veggies: Get creative and try swapping for or adding in carrots, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, chard, spinach, corn, or any other veggie you like.
- Beans: Add in grains for extra texture or to replace the beans. I think quinoa or rice would be perfect in this chili!
- Spices: Have fun with spices such as paprika, cinnamon, garlic, lemon pepper, etc for different flavors in the chili. You can also experiment with fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, oregano, rosemary, or more.
How to Make This Recipe
1. Heat a stove top skillet to medium heat. Add olive oil to pan, add in ground turkey. Cook for 5-8 minutes until turkey is 90% cooked. Remove from heat and stir in sriracha.
2. Peel sweet potatoes and dice. Chop white onions, red pepper, and the orange pepper. Drain and rinse black beans.
3. Set the crock pot / slow cooker to High heat. Layer in chopped vegetables (onion, peppers, sweet potatoes), then sprinkle in cooked ground turkey, and black beans. Add in tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water. Fold together. Season with chili powder, salt, and pepper. Set slow cooker to 3 hours.
4. Stir every hour or so. Ensure all vegetables are completely saturated in chili sauce for even cooking. Serve hot & topped with crackers, cheese (crumbles of feta / colby jack are my fav), greek yogurt, sour cream, or chives.
Recipe FAQs
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to up to 5 days. I like to split into individual portion sizes for meal prep. Just pop in back on the stovetop to reheat or microwave in 30 second increments (covered to avoid splattering!), stirring between each until warm throughout.
You can also freeze this chili for up to 3 months. I suggest freezing individual portions in ziplock bags or in glass tupperware and defrosting overnight in the refrigerator the night before you're going to eat one.
You can make this Sweet Potato Chili stove top instead of in the crockpot, but you'll want to sauté all of the chopped potatoes, onion, and peppers first in order to soften them up before adding the tomatoes and turkey. Once everything is in your pot, simmer for 45-50 minutes.
Top this chili with cheese (parmesan, feta, colby jack are my favorites with this recipe), a dollop of sour cream or greek yogurt, sliced avocado, croutons, crackers, fresh herbs like cilantro, chives or parsley, or even roasted nuts like almonds or pepitas. I like to serve buttered toast with it sometimes, too!
More Recipes You'll Love
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & if you really like the recipe consider leaving a comment further down. Thanks for visiting!
Recipe
Sweet Potato Turkey Chili
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Measuring Spoons
- Measuring Cups
Ingredients
- 6 ½ cup cubed sweet potatoes
- 1 lbs ground turkey, 93% lean
- 2 cups white onion, diced
- 1 ½ cup red pepper, diced
- 1 ½ cup orange pepper
- 1 can black beans, 15oz
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 can tomato sauce, 15oz
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 28 oz diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp sriracha, optional
Instructions
- Heat a stove top skillet to medium heat. Add olive oil to pan (or cooking spray), add in ground turkey. Cook for 5-8 minutes until turkey is 90% cooked. Remove from heat and stir in sriracha (optional).
- Peel sweet potatoes and dice. Chop white onions, red pepper, and the orange pepper. Drain and rinse black beans.
- Set the crock pot / slow cooker to High heat. Layer in chopped vegetables (onion, peppers, sweet potatoes), then sprinkle in cooked ground turkey, black beans, and canned tomatoes.
- Add in tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water. Fold together. Season with chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Set crockpot for 4 hours. Stir every hour or so. Ensure all vegetables are completely saturated in chili sauce for even cooking.
- Serve hot & top with crackers, cheese (crumbles of feta / colby jack), greek yogurt, sour cream, or chives. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
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If you're using MyFitnessPal, search 'A Paige Of Positivity' and find Turkey Sweet Potato Chili calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
Pamela Brown says
Wonderful! Made early this morning. The flavors are simply deeee-lish! Easy to prepare and cook. I actually made mine on the stove in a Dutch oven (No crock pot). Spring chili is awesome. 👌 Thank you, Courtney. 😊
Carolyn Hudson says
So good! Followed the recipe exactly and loved it. Always happy when I can find a healthy crockpot winner! Shared this recipe with a neighbor and another friend - They both loved it too. Looking forward to my next batch soon!
Michelle Gimbutis says
This was amazing! Made it just as written and wouldn’t change a thing. Definitely going to be a staple chili recipe for our fam!!
Megan Johnson says
Very delicious! My husband and I love it topped with avocado and tortilla chips 😋
Lily says
This is my new favorite chili recipe. I make it on the stove and then store in small containers portioned out for lunch for the week. I enjoyed mine with some broiled cheese and saltines!
Natalie says
SO good! I added a tsp of cayenne pepper to give it more of a kick (on top of the sriracha) and it was amazing!!
Sam Ingram says
SO yummy and such an easy way to add some more vegetables into dinner!
Emmy L. says
A new favorite dish in our household! Looking for something cheap, filling and easy. "11/10 recommend" - my husband 😉
Sydney Van Acker says
My favorite cozy meal to make on a sunday and enjoy leftovers throughout the week. Added a dollop of greek yogurt on top and it was GOOD
Courtney Paige says
I'd give this recipe 10 stars if I could - a staple in our home!