Description
This Turkey Sweet Potato Chili is simply the BEST! It’s made with ground turkey (or chicken), tender sweet potatoes, black beans, and veggies simmered in a rich tomato base. It has the perfect balance of bold spices and natural sweetness. Enjoy this easy weeknight dinner idea any time of the year!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 pound ground turkey or chicken (I use extra lean ground turkey)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large yellow or red onion, diced
- 1 large green or red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 1 large jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2-3 tablespoons chili powder (depending on how spicy your chili powder is)
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika (sweet or smoked)
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 28-oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
- 2 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups water (more or less; depending on how thick you like your chili)
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup (or brown sugar)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to a large Dutch oven or pot. Add the ground turkey, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Cook the ground turkey and break up the meat until it’s nicely browned and no longer pink, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the meat from the pot and set aside in a bowl or plate.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Once the oil is hot, add the onion, green bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, and a pinch of salt. Cook until the veggies have softened, stirring frequently, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, cocoa powder, oregano, and cinnamon. Cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
- Add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Add the diced tomatoes and their juices and let cook for 2 minutes, scrapping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the turkey back to the pot, along with the chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, sweet potato, black beans, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let simmer, partially covered, for 45 minutes.
- Stir in the maple syrup and lime juice. Season to taste with more salt if needed. Discard the bay leaf. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Leftovers? Keep leftovers in an airtight continar in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure the chili cools completely within 2 hours of cooking before putting it in the fridge.
- Can I freeze leftover turkey chili? Yes. Transfer the chili to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze it for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating on the stovetop.
- Toppings for turkey chili: Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend), sour cream, plain Greek yogurt, sliced green onions or diced red onions, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños (fresh or pickled), diced avocado, corn chips, hot sauce, or fresh lime juice.
- Choose a blend of dark and white meat. I use extra lean ground turkey, but if you prefer more flavor, look for ground turkey that is a mix of light and dark meat.
- Change up the tomatoes. I use canned diced tomatoes in this recipe, but you can change up the flavor by using fired-roasted tomatoes, whole peeled tomatoes, or crushed tomatoes.
- Beans: I use black beans in this chili because they go nicely with sweet potato. You can use whatever beans you prefer. Other great choices include navy beans, red kidney beans, white beans (like cannellini), pinto beans, or chickpeas.
- Don’t rush the chili. It’s important to let the chili simmer, partially covered for 45 minutes. This will give you the best flavor. If you like a thicker chili, let it simmer uncovered during the last 15 to 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American