Bourbon-Spiced Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili
Hearty chili featuring sweet potatoes and black beans with a warming bourbon-spice infusion for depth and subtle sweetness. This american-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 55 minutes pairs olive oil, medium (about 1 cup) yellow onion diced, medium red bell pepper diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium (about 1 cup) yellow onion diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 cups sweet potatoes peeled and cubed
- 2 cans (14.5 oz each) black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup Ohio bourbon
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped (for garnish)
- 4 lime wedges (for serving)
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 cup diced yellow onion and 1 diced red bell pepper, sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 2 cups peeled and cubed sweet potatoes, 2 cans rinsed black beans, 1 can diced tomatoes with juice, and 2 cups vegetable broth.
- Step 4: Pour in 1/4 cup Ohio bourbon, then add 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 3/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender and chili thickens.
- Step 6: Adjust seasoning if needed, ladle into bowls, and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing on top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bourbon-Spiced Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Bourbon-Spiced Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bourbon-Spiced Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bourbon-Spiced Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Bourbon-Spiced Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
