Comforting Sweet Potato Turkey Chili
It’s turning into the season where I start to crave soups and chilis. Crisp fall weather that just makes you want something hot for dinner. I love making soups, stews and chilis, it equals leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day(s). I wanted to make something with a leaner meat, healthier starch and is versatile. Thus came my sweet potato turkey chili!
Comforting Sweet Potato Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 yellow onion sliced
- 1½ lbs. ground turkey
- 1-2 tbsp. tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons ancho chili powder
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 3 sweet potatoes chopped into small pieces
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 cups water
- 2-3 cups broth
- 1 14- ounce can black beans
- 1/4 tsp red chili pepper flakes
- 1/2 can of diced green chiles
- Fresh cilantro
- A dollop of sour cream
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne for spice more to taste!
Instructions
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Heat the oil over medium high heat in a heavy, deep pot.
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Add the onion, turkey, 1 tablespoon chili powder, and 1 tablespoon taco seasoning.
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Add water as needed to keep the turkey moist and moving around in the pan. When the turkey is browned and crumbled and the onions are soft, remove from the pan and set aside.
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Add the sweet potatoes to the same pot with the remaining spices and stir to combine.
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When starting to brown, add the tomato paste and diced chiles.
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When the sweet potatoes have browned just slightly, add the garlic, water, and broth. Bring to a low boil and simmer for 10 minutes or so, until the sweet potatoes are very soft.
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Using an immersion blender, puree the mixture until it reaches your desired consistency (I used my Blendtec and pureed it that way).
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Add the browned turkey, black beans, and cayenne - stir to combine.
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Serve hot.
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Add toppings like sour cream, cilantro, tortilla chips, whatever your heart desires!
Recipe Notes
I like to add salt and pepper at the end, it just depends on your taste.
For changing it up for leftovers, try adding a cup of cooked quinoa, rice or another grain a few times to make it a little more hearty.
To thin it out, because some of you like it that way, try adding another cup of broth at the end.
Having a versatile dish is a great way to change up your leftovers the next day. Just cook up some quinoa or grains and add them in to give it a different texture.
We enjoyed this batch of sweet potato turkey chili for 3 days! I find it’s better the second day, all the flavours meshing overnight. I like mine spicy, so there is plenty of ancho chili powder and diced green chiles in there.
This time of the year, I always have on stock broths, beans, chiles, tomato paste and canned chiles. I feel with those key ingredients, you can whip up any good meal. All you need is a protein, vegetables (frozen or fresh), an onion and sour cream. Yes sour cream! Top any stew, chili or soup for a little tang and cooling aspect to your dish.
I also always have fresh herbs in my house. I love that added element to a dish. Just a nice pop of freshness!
I’m sad for summer to be behind us, but excited for the fall! Sweaters, knee high boots (need to get a pair that doesn’t make me look a foot shorter than I am), scarves and hats will all be coming back into our closets. I have ambitions to make a capsule wardrobe, but who am I kidding?!
My sweet potato turkey chili has few ingredients in it and no added sugar. Feel free to add any brown sugar if you’d like, but I prefer mine not sweet.
I also didn’t make cornbread for the side because I felt it didn’t need it. It’s pretty hearty as it is, but feel free to bake some if you want. Sally’s cornbread recipe looks pretty good!
What is your favourite fall dish? Is there one you’d like me to share my spin on? Share below in the comments! Try my DIY Chili Oil for an added topping or to jazz up any dish this season.
And if you are looking for a great side dish this holiday season, my Potato, Mozzarella, Nutmeg Gratin is a favourite!
Enjoy! xo
Mmm very nice! I love your photos and suggestions for changing up the leftovers. I have a bison and sweet potato chili on my blog where I kept the potatoes in chunks but making them more into a puree is a great idea.
Cheers!
Oooo I haven’t tried bison yet, maybe i’ll be adventurous and do that this winter 🙂
What a very interesting idea! Never head of putting sweet potatoes in a chili before.
Thanks Cori! It’s all about preference, you probably can use yams or regular potatoes if you wanted.
I made a chili this week that’s the polar opposite of this one — but I absolutely love the direction you went with it! Beautiful flavours and sweet potato can be delicious and so comforting in chili. Off to pin! Cheers, Leslie!
Thanks Justine! What was your chili?
Great timing! It turned chilly and fall-like literally overnight, and now I’m seriously craving a big pot of chili (along with my favourite pair of tall boots, a big printed scarf and a pumpkin spice latte, in no particular order).
Love the combination of turkey and chili… healthy and flavourful! This is totally going on my menu plan for the week.
I agree with those except for PSL, not my thing. But definitely a big cozy sweater!
Sweet potatoes and turkey…..yummy. I’ve not combined the two in chili before.
ya it’s pretty good, I imagine will work well with roast turkey leftovers too!