Cozy Sweet Potato Turkey Chili Recipe for Chilly Nights

Chilly evenings call for a hearty sweet potato turkey chili that warms you from the inside out.

Packed with robust flavors and nutritious ingredients, this recipe delivers a comforting meal in one pot.

Lean ground turkey mingles with vibrant sweet potatoes, creating a protein-rich dish that satisfies hunger.

Aromatic spices dance through each spoonful, promising a meal that’s both delicious and wholesome.

Colorful bell peppers and beans add texture and depth to this wholesome chili.

The combination of ingredients ensures a balanced, nutritious dinner that doesn’t compromise on taste.

Dive into this simple yet extraordinary recipe and turn an ordinary weeknight into a culinary celebration.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 7

What Goes Into Sweet Potato Turkey Chili

• Ground Turkey: Lean protein that adds hearty texture and rich flavor to the chili, ensuring a satisfying meal.
• Chicken Broth: Provides a silky liquid base that enhances overall taste and helps tenderize ingredients.

• Sweet Potato: Creamy and nutritious root vegetable that adds natural sweetness and thick consistency.
• Onion: Aromatic base that builds deep, savory foundation for the entire dish.
• Garlic: Powerful flavor enhancer that brings depth and complexity to the chili.
• Green Bell Pepper: Crisp vegetable offering subtle sweetness and vibrant color.
• Green Chiles: Mild pepper that introduces gentle heat and authentic southwestern flair.
• Jalapeño: Optional spicy ingredient for those craving extra kick and zesty warmth.
• Diced Tomatoes: Juicy component that creates rich, tangy sauce.
• Tomato Sauce: Smooth base that binds ingredients and intensifies overall tomato profile.

• Avocado Oil: Heart-healthy cooking oil with high smoke point perfect for sautéing.
• Optional Toppings (Avocado, Cilantro, Shredded Cheese): Customizable garnishes that add freshness, creaminess, and personal touch.

Tools Checklist for Sweet Potato Turkey Chili

• Large Skillet: Essential for sautéing onions, garlic, and browning ground turkey before transferring to slow cooker or Instant Pot.
• Slow Cooker or Instant Pot: Primary cooking vessel for creating the hearty chili, allowing flavors to meld together.
• Spatula: Key tool for breaking up and stirring ground turkey while cooking.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, sweet potato, and green bell pepper.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp blade for precise vegetable and ingredient preparation.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate measurement of broth, seasonings, and other ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Ladle: Perfect for stirring and serving the chili.

Steps to Follow for Sweet Potato Turkey Chili

Sweet Potato Turkey Chili

• Kitchen Prep Workspace

Clear your cooking area and gather all necessary cooking tools. Select a clean cutting board and sharp knife for chopping vegetables smoothly.

• Protein Browning

Sear ground turkey in a hot pan until golden and crumbly. Break meat into small, uniform pieces while cooking to ensure even flavor distribution.

• Vegetable Foundation

Chop onions, garlic, green peppers, and jalapeños carefully. These ingredients create a robust flavor base for the chili’s deep, rich taste profile.

• Liquid and Seasoning Blend

Combine chicken broth, diced tomatoes, green chiles, and selected spices. The liquid mixture will help tenderize sweet potatoes and merge all flavors together.

• Slow Cooking Process

Transfer everything into your cooking device – slow cooker or instant pot. Allow ingredients to simmer and meld, creating a hearty, comforting meal that develops complex layers of taste.

• Final Touches

Once cooking completes, garnish with fresh cilantro, creamy avocado slices, or sprinkle shredded cheese. Let the chili rest briefly before serving to enhance overall flavor intensity.

Flavor Enhancements for Sweet Potato Turkey Chili

• Swap ground turkey for lean ground chicken, plant-based crumbles, or black beans to create a versatile, protein-packed meal that suits different dietary preferences.
• Toss in extra vegetables like diced zucchini, corn kernels, or diced carrots to increase nutritional value and add more texture to your chili.
• Adjust the heat by removing jalapeño seeds for a milder version or adding extra hot sauce for those who love intense spiciness. Fresh hot peppers can be substituted with dried chili flakes for consistent heat.
• Prepare the chili in advance and store in airtight containers – it tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to meld. Freeze portions for quick weeknight meals that can be reheated in minutes.

Serving Sweet Potato Turkey Chili for Any Occasion

• Cozy Comfort Bowl: Ladle this hearty chili into deep ceramic bowls that showcase its vibrant colors and chunky textures, perfect for chilly evenings or weekend gatherings.
• Family-Style Feast: Create a toppings bar with fresh cilantro, diced avocado, shredded cheese, sour cream, and lime wedges, allowing everyone to customize their chili experience.
• Meal Prep Champion: Portion the chili into meal prep containers for easy lunch options throughout the week, as it stores beautifully and tastes even better the next day.
• Protein-Packed Performance: Serve alongside cornbread, brown rice, or quinoa to create a complete meal that fuels active lifestyles and satisfies hunger with nutritious ingredients.

Storage Tips for Leftover Sweet Potato Turkey Chili

• Batch Cooking Magic: Prepare a double batch of this chili and divide into individual containers for quick weekday lunches or dinners throughout the week. Freezer-friendly meals save time and reduce daily cooking stress.
• Refrigerator Lifespan: Store leftover chili in airtight containers for up to 4-5 days. The flavors will actually improve and become more robust after a day or two, making your next meal even more delicious.
• Freezer Storage Strategy: Pour cooled chili into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-lock bags. Flat storage allows for easy stacking and maximum freezer space. Chili remains excellent for 2-3 months when properly sealed.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Thaw refrigerated or frozen chili in the microwave or gently reheat on the stovetop. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying. Stir occasionally to maintain consistent temperature and texture.

Hearty Sweet Potato Turkey Chili

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4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Hearty sweet potato turkey chili combines robust flavors from lean ground turkey and nutrient-dense sweet potatoes. Spicy, smoky seasonings and rich toppings create a comforting meal that satisfies hungry diners with complex southwestern-inspired profile.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (0.9 kg) ground turkey
• 1 large sweet potato, diced into 1″ cubes (or 2 medium)
• 1 28 oz (794 g) can diced tomatoes
• 1 14 oz (397 g) can tomato sauce
• 1 4 oz (113 g) can diced green chiles
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeño, diced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tbsp avocado oil
• 3 tbsps chili powder
• ½ tbsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp coriander
• ¼ tsp cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Aromatic Foundation: Heat oil in a skillet and sauté onions until translucent, then add minced garlic for an intense flavor base.
2. Meat Preparation: Brown ground turkey in the skillet, crumbling and cooking until achieving a uniform golden color throughout.
3. Vegetable Integration: Add sweet potato cubes, green bell peppers, green chiles, and jalapeños directly into the skillet, creating a vibrant vegetable mixture.
4. Liquid and Seasoning Fusion: Pour chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce over the ingredients, then generously sprinkle seasonings, stirring to ensure complete flavor distribution.
5. Slow Cooker Method: Transfer the entire mixture to the slow cooker, cover, and simmer on low for 6-8 hours (or high for 3-4 hours) until ingredients are tender and flavors have melded completely.
6. Instant Pot Alternative: Use sauté function to develop initial flavors, then pressure cook for 15 minutes, releasing pressure and stirring after cooking.
7. Serving Presentation: Ladle the chili into bowls and garnish with fresh avocado slices, chopped cilantro, or shredded cheese to enhance the dish’s complexity and visual appeal.

Notes

• Optimize Meat Browning: Ensure ground turkey is thoroughly browned to develop deep, rich flavor and prevent any raw meat texture in the final dish.
• Sweet Potato Selection: Choose firm, vibrant orange sweet potatoes that are free from soft spots to maintain perfect texture and enhance the chili’s nutritional value.
• Slow Cooker Precision: Monitor liquid levels during long cooking to prevent dryness, adding extra broth if needed to maintain a moist, hearty consistency.
• Heat Management: Adjust jalapeño and green chile quantities to control spice level, allowing for a personalized flavor profile that suits individual taste preferences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg