Description
This Smoky Sweet Potato and Pinto Bean Chili is the ultimate comfort food with a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors. Loaded with hearty pinto beans, tender sweet potatoes, and bold spices like smoked paprika and chipotle, it's a vegan, gluten-free dish that will warm you up on chilly days. Simple to make, packed with nutrients, and ideal for meal prep or serving at gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder (optional, for extra smokiness)
- 1 (14 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Juice of 1 lime
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Optional: Avocado slices, tortilla chips, or vegan sour cream for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Add diced sweet potato and red bell pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, cinnamon, and chipotle powder (if using). Cook for 1 minute until the spices become fragrant.
- Add pinto beans, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and tomato paste. Stir well to combine.
- Bring chili to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes are tender and chili thickens.
- Stir in lime juice and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and optional toppings like avocado slices, tortilla chips, or vegan sour cream.
Notes
- Add Protein: You can make the chili even heartier by adding cooked quinoa, lentils, or plant-based ground meat.
- Add Greens: Stir in spinach, kale, or Swiss chard towards the end of cooking for extra nutrients.
- Make Spicier: Increase chipotle powder or add diced jalapeños if you love heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
