Baked Sweet Potato Chili (Printable)

Tender baked sweet potatoes filled with zesty chili, perfect for a wholesome satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sweet Potatoes

01 - 4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed

→ Chili Filling

02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small onion, diced
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 pound ground beef or turkey, or 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans for vegetarian option
07 - 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
08 - 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
10 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
11 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
15 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

→ Toppings (Optional)

16 - Shredded cheddar cheese
17 - Sour cream or Greek yogurt
18 - Sliced green onions
19 - Chopped cilantro

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Pierce sweet potatoes several times with a fork, place on baking sheet, and bake 50-60 minutes until tender.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; sauté 4–5 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
04 - Add ground meat or black beans, breaking up meat if using ground beef or turkey. Cook until browned; drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Mix in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if desired. Simmer uncovered 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Remove sweet potatoes from oven and let cool slightly. Slice lengthwise, gently open and fluff flesh with a fork.
07 - Fill each sweet potato with chili. Add optional toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, and cilantro. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Wholesome and filling main dish
  • Easily adapts for vegetarians or vegans
02 -
  • Sweet potatoes can be microwaved for a quicker option
  • Leftover chili keeps well and can be served over rice or nachos
03 -
  • Use black beans instead of beef for a budget-friendly vegetarian meal
  • Chili can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days
Return