Baked Sweet Potato Chili (Printer-Friendly)

Tender baked sweet potatoes paired with a zesty, savory chili filling for a hearty meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sweet Potatoes

01 - 4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed

→ Chili Filling

02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, diced
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
06 - 1 pound ground beef or turkey, or 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans for vegetarian
07 - 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
08 - 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
10 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
15 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

→ Toppings (Optional)

16 - Shredded cheddar cheese
17 - Sour cream or Greek yogurt
18 - Sliced green onions
19 - Chopped cilantro

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until tender when pierced.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper; sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
04 - Incorporate ground beef or turkey (or black beans for vegetarian). Break up meat and cook until browned; drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Mix in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if desired. Simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
06 - Once tender, cool sweet potatoes slightly. Slice lengthwise, gently open, and fluff flesh with a fork.
07 - Fill each potato with chili mixture. Add toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, and cilantro if desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Wholesome and filling
  • Customizable for vegetarian or vegan diets
02 -
  • For a vegan version, use beans and omit dairy toppings
  • Sweet potatoes can be microwaved for 8-10 minutes as a quicker option
03 -
  • Leftover chili is great served over rice or nachos
  • Pierce potatoes well before baking for even cooking
Return