Beef Sweet Potato Chili - A Festive Fall Favorite
When fall rolls around, it's officially chili season in our house! This hearty beef sweet potato chili is full of smoky spices, tender sweet potatoes, and black beans - and it's even more fun when served with Trader Joe's festive leaf-shaped tortilla chips.
Every year, as soon as Trader Joe's releases their adorable leaf-shaped tortilla chips, I know it is time to pull out one of our favorite fall recipes, this beef sweet potato chili. The combination of savory ground beef, tender sweet potatoes, black beans, and smoky spices makes it both filling and comforting, perfect for cozy dinners as the weather cools down.
I love how easy it is to customize each bowl with toppings like shredded cheese, creamy sour cream, fresh cilantro, or even a few of those iconic leaf-shaped tortilla chips for crunch and seasonal flair. Whether you are serving it for a weeknight meal or a casual fall gathering, this chili always feels special and brings everyone to the table.
Jump to:
Why you will love this beef sweet potato chili
- Hearty and filling: The combination of ground beef, sweet potatoes, and black beans makes this chili satisfying enough for dinner and perfect for leftovers
- Cozy fall flavors: Smoky spices, tender vegetables, and a touch of sweetness from the potatoes make it the ultimate comfort food as the weather cools
- Customizable bowls: Top it with shredded cheese, sour cream, fresh cilantro, avocado, or those seasonal leaf-shaped tortilla chips to make each bowl your own
- Easy to make: Most of the steps happen in one pot and it comes together quickly. You can also use a crock pot for hands-off cooking
- Perfect for gatherings: Serve it at a family dinner, a casual fall party, or a game day get-together. Everyone will love it
Ingredients you will need
This beef sweet potato chili comes together with simple, flavorful ingredients that make it a cozy, fall-inspired meal.
Vegetables: Sweet potatoes, onion, red bell pepper, and garlic create a hearty, slightly sweet base that softens beautifully while cooking.
Ground beef: Any ground meat works, but 90% lean ground beef adds rich flavor without making the chili greasy.
Spices and flavor boosters: Chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper give the chili warmth and depth. For an extra punch of savory flavor, two beef bouillon cubes are stirred in along with the broth.
Liquid and tomatoes: Broth and fire-roasted diced tomatoes form a rich, flavorful sauce. Adjust the broth to get the consistency you like, whether thick and stew-like or a bit more saucy.
Beans: Black beans add protein and texture, making the chili hearty and filling. Kidney beans work as a substitute if you prefer.
Seasonal twist: Trader Joe's leaf-shaped tortilla chips are the perfect fall-themed topping, adding crunch and a touch of whimsy to your chili bowls.
Step-by-step instructions
Follow these simple steps to make a comforting pot of beef sweet potato chili. Each step is paired with a photo to guide you along the way.
Step 1: Brown the beef
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat, leaving just a thin coating in the pot.
Step 2: Sauté the vegetables
Add the chopped onion, sweet potatoes, red bell pepper, and garlic to the pot. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent and the vegetables start to soften.
Step 3: Bloom the spices
Stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute to release the flavors.
Step 4: Add broth, bouillon, beans, tomatoes, and chilies
Pour in the broth and add the two beef bouillon cubes, black beans, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, and chopped green chilies with their juices. Stir to combine. As the chili simmers, the bouillon cubes will dissolve on their own while the flavors meld together.
Step 5: Simmer until tender
Cover the pot and reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender and the chili is thick and flavorful.
Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning
Before serving, taste the chili and adjust salt, pepper, or spices as needed. Your chili is now ready to enjoy with your favorite toppings.
Crock Pot Option
If you prefer a hands-off approach, this beef sweet potato chili works beautifully in the crock pot. Simply brown the ground beef first, then transfer it to the crock pot along with the chopped vegetables, spices, broth, bouillon cubes, beans, tomatoes, and green chilies. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 4 to 5 hours, until the sweet potatoes are tender and the flavors meld together. Stir occasionally if you can, and adjust seasonings at the end. This method is perfect for busy days when you want a warm, comforting meal waiting for you at dinnertime.
Topping ideas to customize your bowl
- Sour cream - adds a cool, creamy contrast to the chili
- Shredded cheese - cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for extra richness
- Fresh cilantro - bright and herby, perfect for a pop of flavor
- Diced avocado - buttery and fresh, a great balance to the spices
- Leaf-shaped tortilla chips - Trader Joe's seasonal chips add crunch and fall charm
What to serve with this chili
- Cornbread or biscuits - warm, slightly sweet bread pairs perfectly with the hearty chili
- Green salad - a simple salad adds freshness and balances the richness of the chili
- Rice - serve the chili over rice to make it even more filling and stretch it for larger meals
- Extra tortilla chips - for scooping or adding crunch to each bowl
Storage and freezing tips
- Refrigerator - Store leftover chili in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer - Chill completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags. Chili keeps well for up to 3 months.
- Reheating - Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove, stirring occasionally to maintain the texture.
- Flavor tip - I like to make this chili earlier in the day and let it sit for a few hours before serving. This gives the flavors time to meld, making the chili even more rich and comforting.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Ground turkey, chicken, or bison all work well in place of beef. Leaner meats may need a little extra seasoning or oil.
For more heat, add diced jalapeños, chipotle in adobo, or a pinch of cayenne. To keep it milder, stick with the basic chili powder and mild green chilies.
Absolutely. You can omit the beans or swap in kidney or pinto beans. You can also add extra vegetables for more texture.
Make sure the cubes are about ½-inch in size. Simmer long enough until tender, usually 30-35 minutes on the stovetop or the full crock pot time.
Yes! Making it a few hours ahead allows the flavors to meld even more. It also keeps well in the fridge or freezer for later.
Classic options like shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, avocado, and tortilla chips are always a hit. The seasonal leaf-shaped tortilla chips add a fun fall touch.
Beef Sweet Potato Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef (90% lean recommended)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 lg sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into ½-inch pieces
- 1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups low-sodium vegetable or beef broth
- 2 cubes beef bouillon cubes
- 2 cans (15-oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (28-oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 can (4.5-oz) can chopped green chilies with juices
Instructions
- Brown the beef - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat, leaving just a thin coating.
- Sauté the vegetables - Add the onion, sweet potatoes, red bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent and the vegetables start to soften.
- Bloom the spices - Stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute to release the flavors.
- Add liquids, bouillon, beans, tomatoes, and chilies - Pour in the broth and add the two beef bouillon cubes, black beans, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, and chopped green chilies with their juices. Stir to combine. As the chili simmers, the bouillon cubes will dissolve on their own.
- Simmer until tender - Cover and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender and the flavors meld.
- Taste and adjust seasoning - Taste the chili and adjust salt, pepper, or spices as needed. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Nutrition note: Nutritional values are for the chili only and do not include optional toppings or tortilla chips.
- Make ahead: This chili tastes even better if made a few hours ahead so the flavors have time to meld.
- Crock Pot Option: Brown the beef first, then transfer it to the crock pot with all the other ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours until sweet potatoes are tender and chili is flavorful. Stir occasionally if possible and adjust seasonings before serving.
- Vegetarian option: To make this chili meat-free, skip the beef and add extra beans, lentils, or plant-based crumbles for protein.
- Toppings: Customize your bowl with sour cream, shredded cheese, cilantro, avocado, or seasonal tortilla chips.
Nutrition
This beef sweet potato chili is a cozy, flavorful meal that's perfect for fall evenings. The combination of tender sweet potatoes, savory ground beef, black beans, and smoky spices makes it hearty and satisfying, while customizable toppings let each bowl feel special.
Whether you make it on the stovetop or in the crock pot, this chili is simple to prepare, full of flavor, and pairs perfectly with seasonal touches like Trader Joe's leaf-shaped tortilla chips. Make a batch, gather your favorite toppings, and enjoy a comforting bowl that's sure to become a fall favorite in your home.
Enjoy!
