The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (2024)

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Julie Clark

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Indulgeyourself in a bowl of Paleo Sweet Potato Chili that is spicy and full of beef. It’s thick, rich and slightly sweet while being grain free, sugar free and dairy free.

There’s nothing that says comfort food during the winter months like a bowl of spicy chili. We made a sweet potato version of our traditional chili recipe (which by the way won best chili recipe in several chili cook-offs!). No beans. No sugar. Just thick, meaty and heart warming chili with sweet potatoes and lots of flavor.

This Sweet Potato Chili Recipe switches out beans for sweet potatoes and carrots, both of which add a natural sweetness to the chili. It’s a no bean chili recipe that your family will love. And the best part, it can be made both in the slow cooker and on the stove top.

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (2)

What readers are saying:

Jacqui says, “This chili is AMAZING!!! A friend made it for our family after I had surgery. Even my non adventurous husband and daughter thought this recipe was awesome. It was the fastest a pot of chili has ever been consumed.” ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Deborah says, “I just wanted to share that I just won a chili cook-off with this recipe! There were 16 total entries, and I didn’t even tell anyone that it was a Whole30 recipe. My entire family loves this chili. It is so easy to cook. I NEVER leave comments on pages, but this time I had to!” ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Ingredients

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (3)

A note about key ingredients:

  • Ground beef. Or you can use ground turkey or even Italian sausage for more flavor.
  • Petite diced tomatoes. This is helpful for picky eaters who don’t love chunky tomatoes.
  • Chili Powder. Yes, this recipe calls for ½ cup chili powder. It’s not a mistake. Add less if you’d like, but it’s the flavor that many have come to know and love. We’re crazy for our homemade, sugar free chili powder.
  • Beef stock. In a pinch, substitute chicken broth or vegetable broth.

See therecipe cardfor the full list of ingredients.

How to Make Sweet Potato Chili

Make this easy chili in 4 steps.

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (4)
  • In a large dutch oven, brown the ground beef, onions and garlic. Cook until the ground beef is no longer pink. Drain off any fat.
  • Add the tomatoes and sauce, beef stock, carrots and sweet potatoes.
  • Then add all of the remaining seasonings. Mix well, bring to a boil over medium heat.
  • Then lower the heat to low and simmer, covered, for about 30-40 minutes or until the sweet potatoes and carrots are tender.

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili

This soup recipe can easily be made in the slow cooker, making it an easy meal for you to throw together in the morning and have it calling your name when you get home at night.

Instead of simmering the chili on the stove, you can brown the ground beef on the stovetop, drain off the fat and place it into the slow cooker. Add the other ingredients and let it simmer on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (5)

Make it a meal.

Top the chili with your favorite toppings such as slices of avocado, fresh cilantro, sliced green onion or parsley. Serve a simple salad on the side.

If you’re not following the paleo diet, it’s excellent with sour cream or cheddar cheese.

If you’re not limiting grains, may I suggest thisAsiago Cheese Bread? It’s simply amazing with a bowl of hearty soup.

Storage Instructions

Like with many soup recipes, a bowl of chili is often better than next day. Allow any leftovers to cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Can you freeze this sweet potato paleo chili? Yes! Make a big batch of this chili in advance and place separate into individual portions. Store in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 2 months. It’s easy to pull out individual portions on busy nights!

Frequently Asked Questions

What other vegetables can you add to chili?

Zucchini, cauliflower, and butternut squash are all great options. We love all of these ideas to use in place of sweet potatoes to help make it a little more low carb.

Can I use ground turkey in chili?

Yes! We’ve used both ground beef and ground turkey in this Whole30 chili. You can even use ground chicken if you’d like. Each ground meat will change the flavor of the soup so pick whichever you like best.

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (6)

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (7)

Paleo Sweet Potato Chili

4.73 from 109 votes

Indulge yourself in a bowl of Paleo Sweet Potato Chili that is spicy and full of beef. It’s thick, rich and slightly sweet while being grain free, sugar free and dairy free.

Servings 10 servings

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Print RecipeSave Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 medium red onion diced
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 can tomato sauce 29.5 ounces
  • 2 cups petite diced tomatoes with juice
  • 3 cups beef stock
  • 1 cup sliced carrots
  • 5 cups sweet potatoes peeled and cubed into 1" pieces
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1/2 cup chili powder
  • dash of oregano
  • dash of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • In a large dutch oven or large pot, brown the ground beef, onions and garlic. Cook until the ground beef is no longer pink. Drain off any fat.

  • Add the remaining ingredients to the saucepan. Mix well, bring to a boil over medium heat. Then lower the heat to low and simmer, covered, for about 30-40 minutes or until the sweet potato cubes and carrots are tender.

  • Remove and discard the bay leaves. Then serve with your favorite chili topping.

  • Crock Pot Option: Instead of simmering the chili on the stove, you can brown the ground beef, drain off the fat and place it into the slow cooker. Add the other ingredients and let it simmer on low for 6-8 hours on high for 4-5 hours.

Video

Notes

  • Yellow onions will work as well. Don’t have minced garlic?
  • Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
  • Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
  • The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 10, with one small serving being 1/10th of the recipe. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**

Nutrition

Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 1294mg | Potassium: 1308mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 15482IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 6mg

Have you tried this recipe?

Share a review below or share on Instagram with the tag #tastesoflizzyt.

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (8)

About Julie Clark

I'm Julie Clark, CEO and recipe developer of Tastes of Lizzy T. With my B.A. in Education and over 30 years of cooking and baking, I want to teach YOU the best of our family recipes.

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Jacqui Shoemaker

2 years ago

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (14)
This chili is AMAZING!!! A friend made it for our family after I had surgery. Even my non adventurous husband and daughter thought this recipe was awesome. It was the fastest a pot of chili has ever been consumed.

2

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jan gunther

9 years ago

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (15)
This is an awesome recipe, the chili powder was a bit much for our tastebuds. Next time I will use a little less. I also make this without the meat first and put some in a pan and added kidney beans for my vegan granddaughter and them added the meat last. We loved this!

Lisa @ Cooking with Curls

9 years ago

This is awesome Julie!! I am trying to eliminate sugar from my diet, which is terrifying for a sugar addict like me. I could live on this chili and be a happy camper. 🙂

1

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Natalia

2 years ago

Great recipe but the portions don’t seem realistic. No way that would feed 10 people. In my house that would feed our family of 4, maybe leaving room for one guest.

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Jamie

3 years ago

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (16)
This is a family favorite. Been making it for years and it is always a hit!
Tasty and easy to make!

Reply

Susan Gregory

3 years ago

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (17)
Thank you so much! I love this recipe. It has become a household staple at our place. Love making it both on the stove top and in the slow cooker. It freezes well too.

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Carolyn

3 years ago

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (18)
So tasty even if you aren’t looking for Paleo! I used venison since we had some and it tasted so good ☺️ Will make a bigger batch next time to freeze. Thanks!

Last edited 3 years ago by Carolyn

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Beth

3 years ago

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (19)
I made this in my instant pot and 1/2 a cup of chili powder is WAY too much! I cut it In Half because I figured the instant pot often brings out more flavor and 1/4 of a cup still made it too hot. I don’t mind spicy foods, either. I would probably use 2 tables spoons if I make this again.

Last edited 3 years ago by Beth

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Deborah I.

4 years ago

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (20)
I just wanted to share that I just won a chili cook-off with this recipe! There were 16 total entries, and I didn’t even tell anyone that it was a whole30 recipe. My entire family loves this chili. It is so easy to cook. I NEVER leave comments on pages, but this time I had to!

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Jennifer

4 years ago

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (21)
I made this recipe, and used fresh venison chili meat, from a deer my brother harvested. This was my first time making chili and it came out AMAZING!!!! I shared it with a few friends (who are used to eating chili with beans) and they went crazy over it!!

Thank you sooo much for this recipe!! I can’t wait to make it again!

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Linsey

4 years ago

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (22)
We LOVE this recipe in our house! I have high blood pressure so I use low sodium/reduced salt ingredients. It’s still so delicious. Idk if I’m not seeing it but curious what the size is for a serving?! Thanks!

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Jane

4 years ago

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (23)
Tried it last night. My husband wasn’t enthused about sweet potatoes instead of beans. But, he changed his mind. We both loved it!! I used ancho chili powder from New Mexico—delicious. Will make again.

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Mo Willis

4 years ago

How do you think this would freeze for ahead of time prep?

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Teresa Medeiros

4 years ago

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (24)
This recipe is so yummy! I modified it slightly by using lean ground chicken instead of beef and I used only 1/4 cup of chili powder. The first time I tried this recipe I used the 1/2 cup that the recipe calls for but found it a bit spicy. So good!!

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Sally

4 years ago

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (25)
I had this at a community event the other night. It was so fabulous I begged the organizer of the event to send me the recipe. Just got it and will be making it tonight for my family. It’s delicious!

Reply

The BEST healthy sweet potato chili recipe. Award winning! (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to amazing chili? ›

Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.

Which sweet potato is the healthiest? ›

Sweet potatoes with orange flesh are richest in beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes with purple flesh are richer in anthocyanins. Beta-carotene and anthocyanins are naturally occurring plant “phyto” chemicals that give vegetables their bright colors.

What is the best way to cook sweet potatoes for health benefits? ›

The peel of a sweet potato has nearly ten times the antioxidant power as the flesh (an antioxidant capacity comparable to that of blueberries). However, the peel's nutrition really takes a hit when baked, which wipes out over two thirds of the antioxidants, whereas microwaving or boiling are comparatively much gentler.

Are sweet potatoes anti-inflammatory? ›

The beta-carotene in sweet potatoes has been shown to fight inflammation, and eating them regularly can help ease joint pain and other symptoms of inflammatory conditions like arthritis. If you're looking for a delicious way to reduce inflammation, add some sweet potatoes to a salad or bake alongside protein!

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

Here are some of the most common (and most effective) flavor boosters to add to your chili recipe.
  • Booze (Beer, Wine, or Liquor) ...
  • Liquid Smoke. ...
  • Brine or Vinegar. ...
  • Soy Sauce. ...
  • Fish Sauce. ...
  • Worcestershire Sauce. ...
  • Coffee or Espresso Powder. ...
  • Chocolate.
Aug 23, 2021

What ingredient will change your chili forever? ›

Another ingredient that will change your chili forever is chocolate. It balances out the spicy edge with its signature bittersweet tone. Together, they infuse the chili with a unique complexity. It's a taste sensation like no other, weaving together contrasting elements that still work in perfect harmony.

Does boiling sweet potatoes remove nutrients? ›

Boiling retained more iron and copper while frying retained more zinc, magnesium, sodium and calcium in both Irish and sweet potato tubers. Boiling retained more carbohydrate while frying retained more vitamin C and minerals.

Is it okay to eat a sweet potato every day? ›

If you enjoy sweet potatoes, you can absolutely enjoy them daily. However, eating multiple sweet potatoes every day could cause a harmless condition called carotenodermia, where your skin turns yellow-orange. You may also want to be cautious about your sweet potato intake if you have a history of kidney stones.

Which is better for weight loss potatoes or sweet potatoes? ›

Sweet potatoes are very low in calories, so they can be included in a weight-loss diet. Sweet potatoes are said to have about 86 calories per 100 g and roughly 100 calories per dish. However, a roughly equivalent amount (100 g) of peeled potato contains approximately 110 calories per serving, or 400 calories total.

Is microwaving sweet potatoes healthy? ›

It's really the best way. Microwaving sweet potatoes cuts down cook time by 45 to 55 minutes, and, according to a 2018 study, helps maintain the potato's nutritional value. All cooking methods cause foods to lose some of their nutrients, but the quicker your potato cooks, the more nutrients it will retain.

Why do you need to soak sweet potatoes before cooking? ›

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: The main secrets to achieving that incredible crispy texture, is to soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove the starch from the sweet potatoes so they´re not limp & soggy.

What makes sweet potatoes taste better? ›

Dice the sweet potato, and leave the skins on. Then toss the chunks in a splash of tamari, oil, and maple syrup, and then dust heavily with chili powder, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Roast at 400 Fahrenheit for about 30-50 minutes, or until the potatoes begin to crisp up.

What organ does sweet potato help? ›

Just one sweet potato gives you 102% of the vitamin A you need each day. This helps keep your eyes healthy as well as your immune system, your body's defense against germs. It's also good for your reproductive system and organs like your heart and kidneys.

Who should avoid sweet potatoes? ›

People with kidney problems must avoid eating sweet potatoes because an improper functioning kidney cannot remove potassium from their body, causing high potassium levels that can be harmful to them. Sweet potatoes contain high amounts of oxalates that may increase the risk of calcium-oxalate kidney stones.

Which country eats the most sweet potatoes? ›

China is the world's biggest producer and consumer of sweetpotato, where it is used for food, animal feed, and processing (as food, starch, and other products).

What makes can chili taste better? ›

Professional chefs shared their favorite ways to turn a can of chili into a tastier option. Cocoa, beer, and cinnamon are ingredients that'll boost the flavor of your dish. Fresh toppings are an easy way to add new flavor and texture to the premade meal.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What is the best liquid for chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

Why would you put vinegar in chili? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

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