Spiced Turkey Sweet Potato Chili
Warm, spice-infused chili with ground turkey and sweet potatoes, simmered to perfection for a satisfying Whole30 dinner. This american-inspired slow cooker (gluten-free, dairy-free) ready in about 375 minutes pairs ground turkey, olive oil, large onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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
- 1.5 lbs ground turkey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 sweet potato
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then cook 1.5 lbs ground turkey for 5-7 minutes, breaking it into small pieces until browned; transfer to slow cooker.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 diced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 diced red bell pepper, and sauté for 5 minutes until onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the cooked turkey mixture, 1 diced sweet potato, 1 can diced tomatoes (with juice), 1 cup vegetable broth, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the slow cooker.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours until sweet potato is tender and flavors are well combined.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Turkey Sweet Potato Chili take to make?
Total time is about 375 minutes (15 min prep + 360 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 Turkey 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 ground turkey from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Turkey 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 Spiced Turkey Sweet Potato 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 Turkey Sweet Potato Chili gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free, dairy-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.