This vegetarian sweet potato chili is a nourishing bowl of goodness. Packed with vibrant vegetables, spices, and beans, this chili provides a hearty meal perfect for the chilly nights. The sweet potatoes add a unique sweetness that balances out the spice and makes this dish a crowd-pleaser.
The main ingredients for this recipe should be easily available in your local grocery stores. However, keep an eye out for the spice mix, including chili powder, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, and cocoa powder. These spices are essential to give the chili its characteristic heat and depth of flavor. Similarly, the sweet potato and the beans add a hearty texture to the chili.
Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili Ingredients
Olive oil: An essential base for sautéing the vegetables and spices.
Red onion: Adds a sweet and savory flavor to the chili.
Green bell pepper: Provides a crunchy texture and fresh flavor.
Red bell pepper: Similar to green bell pepper but sweeter.
Sweet potato: The star ingredient that gives a sweet counterpoint to the spices.
Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor of the chili.
Chili powder: Gives the chili its heat.
Ground cumin: Adds a warm and earthy flavor.
Cayenne pepper: Another source of heat but more intense.
Cocoa powder: Adds depth and richness to the chili.
Ground cinnamon: Provides a subtle sweet-spicy flavor.
Diced tomatoes: Add color, texture, and tanginess to the chili.
Black beans: High in protein and fiber, they add a hearty texture.
Kidney beans: Another excellent source of protein and fiber.
Vegetable broth: Adds more flavor and forms the base of the chili.
One reader, Cristine Morrill says:
This vegetarian sweet potato chili recipe is a game-changer! The blend of spices and hearty sweet potatoes creates a rich, flavorful dish that's both satisfying and healthy. It's become a staple in my kitchen, and I love how versatile and delicious it is. Highly recommend trying it out!
Techniques Required for Making Sweet Potato Chili
How to chop vegetables: Chop the red onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper into small, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and distribution of flavors in the chili.
How to prepare sweet potato: Peel the sweet potato and cut it into small cubes, ensuring they are all similar in size to cook evenly in the chili.
How to adjust seasoning: Taste the chili before serving and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed to enhance the flavors.
How To Make Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili
This vegetarian sweet potato chili recipe is tossed with flavorful herbs and spices. A hearty and filling meal that will give you warmth on cold days.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1tbsolive oil
- 1pcred onionchopped
- 1pcgreen bell pepperchopped
- 1pcred bell pepperchopped
- 1pcsweet potatopeeled and cubed
- salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 4garlicpressed or minced
- 1tbschili powder
- 1tspground cumin
- 1tspcayenne pepper
- 2tspcocoa powderunsweetened
- ¼tspground cinnamon
- 28ozdiced tomatoeswith their juices
- 15ozblack beansrinsed and drained
- 15ozkidney beansrinsed and drained
- 2cupsvegetable broth
Instructions
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In a 4×6-quart Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat, warm the olive oil until shimmering. Add the chopped vegetables and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
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Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions start turning translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes.
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Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the garlic and spices and liquid ingredients, and stir. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
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Cover and cook, stirring occasionally and reducing heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer until the sweet potatoes are tender and the chili has reduced to a heartier consistency, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
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For a thicker consistency, use a potato masher to mash the chili until the texture suits your preferences.
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Season chili with salt and pepper to taste.
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Divide the chili into individual bowls, garnish as desired, and serve.
Suggested garnishes: sour cream, grated cheese, thinly sliced green onions, and/or chopped cilantro
Nutrition
- Calories: 597.54kcal
- Fat: 4.89g
- Saturated Fat: 0.87g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.00g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.36g
- Carbohydrates: 109.42g
- Fiber: 35.79g
- Sugar: 9.95g
- Protein: 35.68g
- Sodium: 1060.94mg
- Calcium: 320.20mg
- Potassium: 2624.24mg
- Iron: 11.68mg
- Vitamin A: 244.33µg
- Vitamin C: 68.40mg
Essential Technique Tip for Making Sweet Potato Chili
When cooking the sweet potatoes for the chili, it's important to cut them into even pieces. This ensures that they cook uniformly and become tender at the same time. If some pieces are larger than others, they may still be hard when the smaller pieces are already soft. This can affect the overall texture of your chili. So, take your time to cut the sweet potatoes into even chunks to achieve the perfect consistency in your vegetarian sweet potato chili.
Time-Saving Tips for Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili Recipe
Prep ahead: Chop and store the vegetables in advance to save time during the cooking process.
One-pot wonder: Consider using a slow cooker or instant pot for a hands-off approach to making the chili.
Canned beans: Opt for canned beans instead of dried ones to skip the soaking and cooking time.
Multi-task: While the chili is simmering, use that time to prepare a side dish or garnishes for the chili.
Freeze leftovers: Make a larger batch and freeze individual portions for quick and convenient future meals.
Efficient chopping: Use a food processor to quickly chop the vegetables for the chili.
Substitute Ingredients For Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili Recipe
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar smoke point and mild flavor, making it a suitable replacement for olive oil in this recipe.
red onion - Substitute with yellow onion: Yellow onions have a slightly milder flavor compared to red onions and will work well in this chili recipe.
green bell pepper - Substitute with yellow bell pepper: Yellow bell peppers have a slightly sweeter flavor compared to green bell peppers and will add a vibrant color to the chili.
red bell pepper - Substitute with orange bell pepper: Orange bell peppers have a similar sweetness to red bell peppers and will provide a pop of color in the chili.
sweet potato - Substitute with butternut squash: Butternut squash has a similar sweet and nutty flavor to sweet potatoes and will complement the chili's flavors.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: If fresh garlic is not available, garlic powder can be used as a substitute for its flavor and aroma.
chili powder - Substitute with paprika and cayenne mix: A combination of paprika and cayenne pepper can replicate the flavor and heat of chili powder.
ground cumin - Substitute with coriander: Coriander has a citrusy and slightly nutty flavor that can replace the earthy notes of cumin in the chili.
cayenne pepper - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika can add a mild heat and smoky flavor similar to cayenne pepper.
cocoa powder - Substitute with dark chocolate: Dark chocolate can provide a rich and slightly bitter flavor similar to cocoa powder, enhancing the depth of the chili.
diced tomatoes - Substitute with crushed tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes can be used as a substitute for diced tomatoes, providing a similar texture and flavor to the chili.
black beans - Substitute with pinto beans: Pinto beans have a creamy texture and mild flavor, making them a suitable alternative to black beans in the chili.
kidney beans - Substitute with cannellini beans: Cannellini beans have a creamy texture and mild flavor, making them a good substitute for kidney beans in the chili.
vegetable broth - Substitute with mushroom broth: Mushroom broth can add a rich umami flavor to the chili, similar to vegetable broth.
Best Way to Present Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili
Elevate the plating: Arrange the sweet potato chili in a shallow, wide bowl to showcase the vibrant colors and textures of the dish. Ensure that each element is thoughtfully placed to create an appealing visual composition.
Garnish with finesse: Sprinkle a pinch of finely chopped fresh cilantro over the chili for a pop of color and a burst of fresh herbal aroma. This delicate touch adds a sophisticated finish to the presentation.
Incorporate texture: Consider adding a small dollop of vegan sour cream or a sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds to provide contrasting textures, elevating the overall dining experience.
Artful drizzle: Use a squeeze bottle to create an artful drizzle of a vibrant, herb-infused oil or a tangy citrus vinaigrette around the edge of the bowl, adding a touch of elegance and complexity to the dish.
Select the right serveware: Choose elegant, minimalist ceramic or porcelain bowls to present the sweet potato chili. The simplicity of the serveware will allow the vibrant colors of the dish to take center stage.
Balance and symmetry: Pay attention to the balance and symmetry of the plating. Ensure that the components are arranged in a visually appealing manner, creating a sense of harmony on the plate.
Consider the negative space: Embrace the concept of negative space on the plate, allowing the sweet potato chili to be the focal point while maintaining an overall sense of refinement and sophistication in the presentation.
Final touch with microgreens: A delicate scattering of microgreens, such as pea shoots or micro cilantro, can add a touch of elegance and a subtle burst of flavor, enhancing the overall presentation of the dish.
Essential Tools for Making Sweet Potato Chili
- Dutch oven: A heavy-duty pot with a tight-fitting lid, ideal for slow cooking and simmering dishes like chili.
- Stockpot: A large pot used for making stocks, soups, and stews, perfect for cooking large batches of chili.
- Potato masher: A tool used to mash the sweet potatoes and create a thicker consistency in the chili.
- Knife: Essential for chopping the vegetables and sweet potatoes.
- Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for chopping and preparing ingredients.
- Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring and mixing the chili as it simmers.
- Measuring spoons: Used to accurately measure out the spices and seasonings.
- Measuring cups: Essential for measuring out the vegetable broth and other liquid ingredients.
- Can opener: Needed to open the cans of diced tomatoes, black beans, and kidney beans.
- Ladle: Used for serving the chili into individual bowls.
- Vegetable peeler: Useful for peeling the sweet potatoes before chopping.
- Garlic press: If you prefer to use a garlic press, it can be used to mince the garlic for the chili.
- Stove: Required for cooking the chili over a gentle simmer.
How To Store and Freeze Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili
- Let the chili cool completely before storing or freezing.
- For short-term storage, transfer the cooled chili to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- To freeze the chili for longer storage:
- Divide the cooled chili into portion-sized freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, leaving some space at the top for expansion during freezing.
- Label the containers or bags with the date and contents.
- Place the containers or bags in the freezer, laying them flat for even freezing.
- Frozen vegetarian sweet potato chili can be stored for up to 3 months.
- To reheat the chili:
- If frozen, thaw the chili overnight in the refrigerator.
- Transfer the chili to a saucepan or microwave-safe bowl.
- Heat the chili over medium-low heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Alternatively, microwave the chili in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval, until heated through.
- If the chili appears too thick after reheating, add a splash of vegetable broth or water to achieve the desired consistency.
- Serve the reheated chili hot, garnished with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, or chopped fresh cilantro.
How To Reheat Leftover Vegetarian Chili
Stovetop method: transfer the leftover chili to a pot and reheat it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until it's heated through. This method allows you to control the temperature and prevent the chili from burning or drying out. If the chili seems too thick, add a splash of vegetable broth or water to thin it out.
Microwave method: place the desired amount of leftover chili in a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap (leaving a small vent for steam to escape). Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until the chili is heated through. Be careful when removing the bowl from the microwave, as it may be hot.
Oven method: preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the leftover chili to an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chili is heated through. This method is ideal if you're reheating a large quantity of chili or if you want to keep it warm for an extended period.
Slow cooker method: if you have a small amount of leftover chili, you can reheat it in a slow cooker. Transfer the chili to the slow cooker, cover it, and heat on low for 1-2 hours, or until it's heated through. This method is convenient if you want to reheat the chili while you're busy with other tasks.
Regardless of the reheating method you choose, be sure to stir the chili occasionally to ensure even heating and prevent scorching. Taste the reheated chili and adjust the seasoning if needed, as flavors may have mellowed during storage. If the chili seems too thick, add a small amount of vegetable broth or water to achieve the desired consistency.
Random Fact About Sweet Potato Chili
Sweet potato is a great source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium. It's also high in fiber, making it a nutritious and filling ingredient for a vegetarian chili recipe.
Is This Vegetarian Chili Recipe Economical for Home Cooking?
This vegetarian sweet potato chili recipe is highly cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients, such as sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and beans, are affordable and readily available. The recipe's versatility allows for easy adjustments based on budget and preferences. The estimated cost for a household of 4 people is approximately $15, making it a budget-friendly option. The overall verdict rating for this recipe is 9/10, considering its nutritional value, flavor, and affordability.
Is Sweet Potato Chili Healthy or Unhealthy?
The vegetarian sweet potato chili recipe is a nutritious and well-balanced dish that incorporates a variety of healthy ingredients. The recipe is packed with fiber-rich vegetables like sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and onions, which provide essential vitamins and minerals. The inclusion of black beans and kidney beans adds a significant amount of plant-based protein and additional fiber to the chili. The use of olive oil, a healthy source of monounsaturated fats, is another positive aspect of this recipe.
However, there are a few areas where the recipe could be improved to enhance its nutritional value further:
- Reduce the amount of olive oil used to lower the overall calorie and fat content of the dish
- Increase the variety of vegetables by adding ingredients like carrots, celery, or zucchini to boost the nutrient profile
- Opt for low-sodium vegetable broth and canned beans to control the salt content of the chili
- Include additional spices and herbs, such as oregano or smoked paprika, to enhance the flavor without relying on excessive salt
To make this already healthy recipe even more nutritious, consider the following suggestions:
- Serve the chili over a bed of quinoa or brown rice to add complex carbohydrates and additional protein
- Top the chili with fresh garnishes like diced avocado, chopped cilantro, or a dollop of Greek yogurt for added flavor and nutrients
- Prepare a side salad with leafy greens and colorful vegetables to complement the chili and increase the overall vegetable intake of the meal
- Experiment with different types of beans, such as chickpeas or pinto beans, to vary the texture and nutritional profile of the dish
Editor's Thoughts on This Vegetarian Chili Recipe
This vegetarian sweet potato chili recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The combination of sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and a variety of spices creates a rich and hearty chili that is both satisfying and nutritious. The addition of cocoa powder and cinnamon adds a unique depth of flavor, while the black beans and kidney beans provide a good source of protein. The cooking process allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, resulting in a chili that is perfect for a cozy night in. Overall, this recipe is a wonderful option for anyone looking for a delicious and wholesome vegetarian meal.
Why trust this Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili Recipe:
This vegetarian chili recipe is a delicious and hearty option for anyone looking for a flavorful and satisfying meal. The combination of sweet potato, black beans, and kidney beans provides a good source of protein and fiber, making it a nutritious choice. The addition of cocoa powder and cinnamon adds a unique depth of flavor, while the use of vegetable broth ensures a rich and savory base. With a perfect blend of chili powder and cayenne pepper, this recipe promises a delightful kick of heat. Trust this recipe for a comforting and wholesome dining experience.
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