Spiced Texan Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili
A hearty vegetarian chili that combines sweet potatoes and black beans with bold Texan spices for a comforting, flavorful meal. This latin american-inspired vegan (vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes pairs olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion, large, diced red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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 medium (about 1 lb), peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes sweet potatoes
- 2 cups cooked or canned, drained and rinsed black beans
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 1 large, diced red bell pepper
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 cup chopped for garnish fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced yellow onion and 1 diced red bell pepper, sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, and 1 tbsp smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 2 diced medium sweet potatoes (about 1 lb), 2 cups drained black beans, 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz), and 4 cups vegetable broth. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp fresh lime juice. Serve chili topped with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Texan 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 Spiced Texan 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 Spiced Texan 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 Spiced Texan Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Spiced Texan Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
Related recipes
Coconut-Lime Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
Soulful Roasted Sweet Potato and Black Bean Bowl with Cilantro Lime Dressing
Jazz-Inspired Roasted Sweet Potato and Black Bean Bowl
Spiced Monkey Nut and Sweet Potato Stew
High-Protein Spicy Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili
Tiki-Inspired Sweet Potato and Black Bean Bowl with Coconut-Lime Dressing
