If you’re craving a cozy, hearty meal that’s bursting with vibrant flavors, you have to try this Turkey Sweet Potato Chili Recipe. It beautifully combines lean ground turkey with sweet potatoes and a medley of spices to create a chili that’s both comforting and surprisingly fresh. The sweet potatoes add a lovely natural sweetness and soft texture that contrasts perfectly with the smoky, spicy chili base, making it a standout weeknight dinner everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is key to nailing the perfect balance of taste, texture, and color in this Turkey Sweet Potato Chili Recipe. Each component brings something special—from the richness of turkey to the sweetness of the potatoes and the warmth of the spices.
- Olive oil: For sautéing, adds a subtle fruity flavor and helps build your chili’s base.
- Onion (½ medium, chopped): Provides a savory foundation and sweetness when cooked down.
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Powers up the flavor with its aromatic kick.
- Ground turkey (1 pound): A lean protein that keeps the chili hearty without heaviness.
- Chicken broth (1 cup): Adds moisture and depth without overpowering the other flavors.
- Fire-roasted diced tomatoes (28 oz, canned): Imparts a smoky char and juicy texture to the chili.
- Red kidney beans (14 oz, drained): Brings creaminess and fiber for a filling chili experience.
- Sweet potatoes (1 pound, peeled & diced): Adds natural sweetness, vibrant color, and tender chunks that soften to perfection.
- Chili powder (2 tablespoons): The main spice that gives your chili its classic warm, mildly spicy flavor.
- Ground cumin (1 teaspoon): Adds earthy, nutty undertones that balance the chili powder.
- Paprika (1 teaspoon): Offers a subtle smoky note enhancing depth.
- Cayenne pepper (½ teaspoon, optional): For a bit of heat if you like it spicy.
- Salt & pepper: To taste, it’s essential for seasoning and bringing all flavors together.
- Toppings (optional): Cheddar cheese, cilantro, avocado, sour cream or Greek yogurt, scallions—these make each bowl feel like a celebration.
How to Make Turkey Sweet Potato Chili Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by warming olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Toss in the chopped onions and cook them for about 5 minutes until they’re soft and just beginning to caramelize. This step unlocks their natural sweetness, which lays the groundwork for a rich flavor profile.
Step 2: Cook the Turkey and Garlic
Add minced garlic to the pot and stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant, then toss in the ground turkey. Break up the meat with your spoon and keep stirring for about 5 minutes or until the turkey loses its pink color and turns white all around. This step creates a savory base while blending nicely with the roasted onion and garlic aromas.
Step 3: Combine Remaining Ingredients
Pour in the chicken broth, fire-roasted tomatoes with their juices, and the drained kidney beans. Add the diced sweet potatoes and sprinkle all the spices—chili powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper—into the pot. Stir everything together, making sure the spices coat the ingredients evenly for an even burst of taste in every bite.
Step 4: Simmer to Perfection
Turn up the heat and bring the chili to a rolling boil. Once bubbling, reduce the heat to medium, cover loosely with a lid, and let it simmer for 15 to 25 minutes. The sweet potatoes will soften during this time, and the flavors will deeply meld together. Don’t forget to give the chili an occasional stir to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
Step 5: Season and Serve
Give your chili a taste and season it with salt and pepper as needed. Once it’s perfectly seasoned, ladle the chili into bowls and get ready to personalize each serving with your favorite toppings.
How to Serve Turkey Sweet Potato Chili Recipe
Garnishes
The right garnishes take this chili from delicious to downright irresistible. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese for creamy richness, add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for tang, and top with fresh cilantro or scallions for a burst of herbaceous brightness. Creamy avocado slices also add a silky texture that beautifully contrasts with the chili’s warmth.
Side Dishes
For a full meal, serve this chili alongside crusty bread or warm cornbread to soak up every last bit. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette complements the chili’s richness, while steamed rice works beautifully if you want a heartier option that absorbs the flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Feeling adventurous? Serve the Turkey Sweet Potato Chili Recipe in warm tortilla bowls or over baked sweet potatoes for a fun twist. You can also turn it into a chili-stuffed bell pepper by baking halved peppers filled with chili inside the oven—an impressive presentation that’s perfect for guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This chili tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld, so store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to four days, making it a fantastic option for meal planning or busy weeknights.
Freezing
If you want to keep it longer, freezing is a great choice. Portion the chili into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags, leaving some space for expansion. It freezes well for up to three months and thaws quickly in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheating
Reheat your leftovers gently on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. You can also microwave it in a microwave-safe bowl, covering loosely to keep the moisture locked in. Add a splash of broth or water if it thickens too much during reheating.
FAQs
Can I use ground beef instead of turkey?
Absolutely! Ground beef will make a richer, meatier chili, but ground turkey keeps it lean and light while still packing big flavor. Either works wonderfully depending on your preference.
Do I have to peel the sweet potatoes?
Peeling is recommended to achieve a smooth texture and help the sweet potatoes cook evenly, but if you prefer the rustic feel and extra fiber, you can leave the skins on as long as they’re scrubbed well.
Can this chili be made in a slow cooker?
Yes, it’s easy to adapt this Turkey Sweet Potato Chili Recipe for the slow cooker. Brown the turkey and sauté the onions and garlic first, then add everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Is this recipe spicy?
This recipe has a nice mild warmth from the chili powder and paprika, with optional cayenne for those who like some heat. You can always adjust the spices to suit your taste, making it as mild or spicy as you wish.
What’s the best way to store leftovers for meal prep?
Divide the chili into individual meal-sized containers after it’s cooled. Label and date them before refrigerating or freezing, so you can grab a healthy, flavorful meal with minimal effort throughout the week.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you make this Turkey Sweet Potato Chili Recipe, it will quickly become one of your favorite go-to recipes. It’s comforting, wholesome, and packed with layers of flavor that impress without fuss. Perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or cozy weekends, this chili hits all the right notes and warms your heart with every spoonful. Give it a try—you won’t regret it!
Print
Turkey Sweet Potato Chili Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This hearty Turkey Sweet Potato Chili is a flavorful and nutritious dish perfect for chilly evenings. Combining lean ground turkey with sweet potatoes, fire-roasted tomatoes, and kidney beans, it offers a balanced meal packed with protein, fiber, and vibrant spices. Easy to prepare on the stovetop, this chili is enhanced with warming spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika, and optional cayenne pepper. Serve it with toppings such as cheddar cheese, avocado, cilantro, or Greek yogurt for added creaminess and freshness.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 (28 ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 (14 ounce) can red kidney beans, drained
- 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Toppings (Optional)
- Cheddar cheese
- Cilantro
- Avocado
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Scallions
Instructions
- Sauté the onion: Heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Cook the turkey and garlic: Add the minced garlic and ground turkey to the pot. Break the turkey apart with a spoon and stir occasionally. Cook for 5 minutes or until the turkey turns white on the outside and is mostly cooked through.
- Add remaining ingredients: Pour in the chicken broth, fire-roasted diced tomatoes with their juices, red kidney beans, diced sweet potatoes, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and optional cayenne pepper. Stir everything together to combine evenly.
- Simmer the chili: Increase the heat to bring the chili to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium and cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar. Let it cook for 15-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender and cooked through.
- Season and serve: Taste the chili and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot with your choice of optional toppings such as cheddar cheese, cilantro, avocado, sour cream or Greek yogurt, and scallions.
Notes
- For quicker cooking, dice the sweet potatoes into smaller pieces to reduce softening time.
- You can make this chili spicier by increasing the cayenne pepper or adding diced jalapeños.
- This chili stores well and tastes even better the next day; refrigerate leftovers and reheat gently on stovetop or microwave.
- Use lean ground turkey for a healthier version with less fat.
- Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth to make it dairy-free and kosher friendly if using vegetable-based toppings.
