Slow-Cooked Beef and Sweet Potato Chili
Hearty slow-cooked chili featuring tender beef and sweet potatoes simmered with smoky spices for a comforting Whole30 dish. This american-inspired whole30 (gluten free) ready in about 260 minutes pairs grass-fed ground beef, large, diced yellow onion, medium, diced red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
- 1.5 lbs grass-fed ground beef
- 2 medium (about 1 lb), peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes sweet potatoes
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (no sugar added)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1.5 cups beef broth (Whole30 compliant)
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1.5 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 1 diced red bell pepper, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs grass-fed ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes.
- Step 3: Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture to a slow cooker. Add 2 diced medium sweet potatoes, 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1.5 cups beef broth, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1.5 tsp sea salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Step 4: Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until sweet potatoes are tender and flavors meld.
- Step 5: Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish each serving with 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef and Sweet Potato Chili take to make?
Total time is about 260 minutes (20 min prep + 240 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 Slow-Cooked Beef and Sweet Potato 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 grass-fed ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef and Sweet Potato 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 Slow-Cooked Beef and Sweet Potato 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 Slow-Cooked Beef and Sweet Potato Chili whole30?
Yes — this recipe is tagged whole30, gluten free, high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
