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Turkey Sweet Potato Chili

September 12, 2023

Lightened-up chili using ground turkey and sweet potato! This Turkey Sweet Potato Chili can be made in one-pot and will feed you all fall and winter long for dinner or lunches alike. The flavor is absolute perfection. Your whole family will love it!

Turkey sweet potato chili in a bowl topped with cheese, yogurt, jalapenos and cilantro

I would say that in general, I follow the seasons with my eating habits… I crave salads in the summer and cozier, heartier meals in the winter. Since living in San Francisco that all kind of goes out the window. We have warm days year round and cool days in the middle of summer. It’s strange but I love it. 

So when it comes to chili, I honestly eat this year round. I know that’s not the case for most of you so I practiced some self-control and waited until an acceptable month to share this delicious turkey sweet potato chili recipe with you. 

Turkey Sweet Potato Chili Ingredients:

  • Ground turkey – you can use lean ground turkey if you prefer but either lean or full fat will both work. Feel free to replace with a different protein like ground beef.
  • Vegetables – sweet potato, onion, bell peppers, jalapeno and garlic
  • Canned items – diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, black beans and kidney beans
  • Seasonings and spices – chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, sea salt and black pepper

RELATED: The Best Ever Cornbread Recipe

pot of turkey sweet potato chili

How to Make Turkey Sweet Potato Chili

STEP 1: On the stove top heat olive oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat, add turkey and cook until browned.

STEP 2: Add in the onions and cook until softened.

STEP 3: Add in the peppers, jalapeno and garlic and cook for another two minutes.

STEP 4: Add the spices, canned items and sweet potato and bring the mixture to a boil.

STEP 5: Lower heat to a simmer and cook for 30-40 minutes or until a desired consistency is reached. Be sure to stir often. The longer you cook it, the thicker your turkey sweet potato chili will be!

Toppings for Healthy Chili

The best thing about chili is that it’s a complete meal in one. I love dishing up a big bowl and topping it with a variety of toppings. Here are some we rotate through:

  • tortilla chips
  • sliced avocado
  • sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • shredded cheese
  • green onions
  • cilantro

You also can’t go wrong serving it alongside sweet potato cornbread or pumpkin cornbread. Are you a cornbread on the side, crumbled up cornbread on top or a cornbread dipper?! 

Although this recipe is packed with vegetables, you could serve turkey sweet potato chili with a side salad as well. Whip up your favorite combination of dressing and greens or make this brussels sprout salad.

Storage and Freezing Turkey Chili

This turkey sweet potato chili will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. It also freezes well. If you’d prefer to save it for longer, I recommend freezing it for up to 3 months.

To thaw, remove from freezer and let sit in refrigerator overnight or on counter for several hours before reheating on the stovetop.

More Chili Recipes You’ll Love:

Print

Sweet Potato Turkey Chili

Lightened-up chili using ground turkey and sweet potato! This Sweet Potato Turkey Chili can be made in one-pot and will feed you all fall and winter long for dinner or lunches alike.

  • Author: Davida Lederle
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 bowls 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground turkey (lean, if preferred)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 bell peppers, chopped
  • 1 jalapeño, chopped (deseed if you don’t like spice)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large sweet potato, cubed (no need to skin)
  • 2 1/2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over med-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned (About 3-4 mins).
  2. Add in onions and cook for 3 more minutes.
  3. Add in peppers, jalapeno and garlic and cook for another 2 mins.
  4. Add in sweet potato, spices, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and beans and bring mix to a boil. If mixture is too thick add in 1/2-1 cup water.
  5. Once boiling lower heat to a simmer and cook for about 30-40 minutes, uncovered or until desired consistency is reached.

Keywords: Chili, Turkey chili, Sweet potato chili, turkey sweet potato chili

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  • Reply
    Jessica
    January 2, 2022 at 10:55 pm

    Really great flavors – thanks for the recipe!

  • Reply
    Jen
    October 1, 2021 at 6:29 am

    Excellent chili recipe! I made it and the quinoa chili this week and enjoyed them both.

  • Reply
    Elena
    March 15, 2021 at 3:14 pm

    Did it feel like there wasn’t enough liquid in this recipe with just 1c of sauce and 28oz of diced tomatoes? I added in 1c of water for some liquid but it was still pretty thick.

  • Reply
    Michelle Hastie Thompson
    January 25, 2021 at 1:28 pm

    Thank you for sharing this recipe and even the companion ones for cornbread options! It is finally cold enough to warrant a recipe like this. Can’t wait to try it!

  • Reply
    Julia
    January 18, 2021 at 12:49 pm

    OMG this was so good! I will definitely make this again. Thanks for the recipe.

    • Reply
      Davida Lederle
      January 21, 2021 at 2:17 pm

      So happy to hear it!

  • Reply
    Tim Wilson
    October 23, 2020 at 1:39 pm

    Many thanks to SOOO for making me a chef! Your recipes are so simple and delicious. I never thought I was very good at cooking, but your recipes made me enjoy being in the kitchen. My family can be a little picky, but he also loves your food, so that says something! Keep it up! Can’t wait before you get more fucking delicious!

  • Reply
    Amy
    September 25, 2020 at 11:47 am

    SO delicious! I made it yesterday, and I already passed the recipe along to a relative. Thanks for sharing, Healthy Maven!

  • Reply
    KGL Staff
    September 24, 2020 at 5:35 am

    Thank you SOOO much for making me a cook! Your recipes are so easy and delicious. I have never really considered myself good at cooking but your recipes have made me love being in the kitchen. My family can be somewhat picky but he loves your food too so that’s saying something! Keep it up! Can’t wait for more damn delicious!

  • Reply
    Annette
    September 22, 2020 at 2:38 pm

    Can I use ground chicken as I do not have ground turkey?

    • Reply
      Davida Lederle
      September 22, 2020 at 4:07 pm

      Yes! Absolutely!

  • Reply
    Linda
    October 28, 2019 at 2:47 pm

    This was sooo good! My husband who will not eat sweet potatoes, loved this. A winter staple in our home.

  • Reply
    Amanda
    October 3, 2019 at 2:36 pm

    I love this recipe, I leave the turkey out for a meatless meal and its just as delicious!

    • Reply
      Davida Lederle
      October 3, 2019 at 4:20 pm

      Thank you so much, Amanda! I’m so happy you enjoyed and love the meatless changes you made. Have a great day!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      October 6, 2019 at 9:07 am

      Hi! How would I make this in a Crock-Pot?

  • Reply
    Holly
    August 10, 2019 at 10:17 am

    The recipe says 2 1\2 T chilli powder…what measurement method supposed to be please…tsp or tbsp

    • Reply
      Davida Lederle
      August 10, 2019 at 1:04 pm

      tablespoon!

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