This Paleo sweet potato chili is an easy hearty meal that just so happens to fit into a Paleo lifestyle or a Whole30 program!
When I started typing up this post, I realized it might be a little funny that my last soup recipe was vegan and this chili is Paleo, even though I’m personally not vegan or Paleo. I mostly label recipes as such to make it easier for people who do follow those types of eating styles to find them. I eat a bit of everything!
So, while this chili does happen to be Paleo and Whole30-approved, it’s friendly for all types of eaters and especially perfect for any sweet potato lovers.
So, what makes this chili Paleo (and Whole30 approved), exactly? Mostly just the fact that it doesn’t have beans since those are a no-go for a strict Paleo or Whole30 eater. Between the ground turkey and sweet potato cubes, it’s so hearty that you don’t miss them!
I did a little research to figure out the difference between Whole30 and Paleo since both programs focus on eating whole foods and eliminating grains, dairy, and legumes like peanuts and beans.
One of the major differences is that Whole30 is meant to be a 30 day eating plan, while Paleo is a lifestyle. Also, Paleo eaters often recreate their favorite sweets using unrefined ingredients like almond flour and honey, while Whole30 bans honey, pure maple syrup, etc. and advises against making “healthified” treats.
But if you don’t care about all of the above, the main takeaway is that this is a great chili to make if you’re looking to try a bean-free chili recipe or if you just happen to be out of them!
I’m actually planning to make this Paleo sweet potato chili again today! I already had most of the ingredients on hand, and I picked up some ground turkey yesterday, as well as chili powder and ground cumin from the Whole Foods bulk spices section since I didn’t have those in my dorm room.
I counted this as 8 ingredients (I didn’t include water or salt and pepper), so it’s super simple.
Of course, like most chili recipes, this is easily adaptable.
• Use ground turkey, ground chicken, or even ground bison instead of ground beef.
• To make it vegan and non-Paleo, sub two cans of black beans (or a can of black beans and a can of kidney beans) for the meat.
My favorite Paleo-approved toppings are sliced green onions, cubed avocado, and fresh cilantro. My favorite non-Paleo toppings are cheese and sour cream. 🙂
I hope you get a chance to make this sweet potato chili soon!
If you make this Paleo sweet potato chili, feel free to let me know in a comment or take a picture and tag me @livbane on Instagram. I’d love to see!
Paleo Sweet Potato Chili
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. cooking oil (I use avocado or grapeseed)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium sweet bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 lb. ground turkey (can sub ground beef)
- 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs. total)
- 28 oz. can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth or water
- 1 Tbsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat a medium pot over medium-low heat. Add oil, diced onion, bell pepper, and ground turkey, and stir every few minutes. Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until meat is cooked through.
- While turkey and vegetables are cooking, peel sweet potato and chop into roughly equal 1/2 inch cubes.
- Add chopped sweet potato , crushed tomatoes, water, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the pot. Turn the heat to high and bring liquid to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low and lightly simmer for 25-35 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are soft.
- Run a potato masher through the chili roughly to help thicken it up. Serve with diced green onions, cilantro, and/or avocado on top.
Nutrition
A Healthy Liv original recipe
I just bought the needed ingredients and will try it. It looks easy.
Super easy- hope you love it! 🙂
This chili is calling my name! Can you believe that the first time I have ever bought sweet potatoes was yesterday?? What great timing seeing this recipe 😉
WHAT?! I’m in shock! 🙂 I hope you love this chili! And if you’re looking for other sweet potato ideas, I love roasting them like this!
Thanksso much for the post.Really thank you! Great.
This was absolutely delicious! Loved it so much, I’ve shared it with a couple of friends. 🙂 I made it in the Instant Pot (see note below).
I used regular old crushed tomatoes as I couldn’t find fire roasted crushed tomatoes. I also used organic ground chicken breasts and a 20 oz container of organic cubed sweet potatoes. I also added some cayenne to make it a little spicy. I’ll most definitely be making this again. It’s great for my school week lunches.
**Note: Instant Pot- I used 1 lb of ground chicken, added one 15 oz can of petite diced tomatoes with their liquid and adjusted the broth to 2C. Cook on HIGH for 5 minutes then QR and turn off IP. The sweet potatoes were plenty cooked and will continue to become more tender due to cook over time . Since I added more liquid to accommodate IP cooking (diced tomatoes + broth), I added 1 cup of frozen riced cauliflower to thicken it up once cooked. It was perfect!!!
Thanks for sharing your Instant Pot method and your adaptations! Sounds delicious 🙂
*UPDATE– I’ve made this a couple of times and absolutely love it!! 🙂 I also add adobo pepper and adobo sauce instead of cayenne to make it spicy and one 15 oz can of small white beans…YUM.
After the first time of making this recipe in the IP with 2c broth, I’ve tried using just the
1 1/2 c of broth, and it was perfect! You don’t need any extra broth for the IP; it will thicken as it stands.
For the IP, I add the ingredients in order as follows:
ground chicken -1 lb (make sure the ground chicken is well seasoned while browning in the IP);
broth mixed with spices (pour in IP and mix with chicken)
Layer- (don’t mix the rest of the ingredients!)
sweet potatos (make sure they’re completely covered with crushed tomatos);
crushed tomatos mixed with 1/2 T adobo sauce and 1 adobo pepper finely chopped;
onion and bell pepper
Cook on high for 5 minutes then QR. I add juice of 1/2 a lime and white beans (drained and rinsed) after cooking time then mix well. Let stand uncovered for 10 minutes or so before serving. The beans help thicken it up. I always top with cilantro!
I ate a bowl of your delicious chili while I was typing this. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your Instant Pot version!! I’m so glad you enjoy this recipe 🙂
Super easy and delicious. My kids loved it so that’s always a WIN! My sweet potatoes always go bad, but now I hav no excuse not to use them!
I’m so glad your kids love this chili, Adrienne!
It’s delish. I used water instead of broth. Do you have nutritional facts for this recipe? Thanks.
Hey Stephanie! I’ve just updated this recipe with nutritional info 😀
I made this tonight and it was AMAZING! I have no complaints 🙂 I’m not allowed to have onion or garlic, so I used green onion and just omitted the garlic and it was still amazing. I highly recommend!
I’m so glad you loved this sweet potato chili!! Thanks for reporting back with your adaptations, Caitlin!
I doubled the recipe for dinner tonight. I followed the recipe as is and topped with avocado slices. It is delicious! I love the combo of the chili powder giving it a little kick complimented by the sweet bell pepper.My husband and I have some packed up for our lunches tomorrow and I have plenty to freeze for later. The best part is that it was quick and easy to make. 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed this chili! I agree, I love how quick it is to whip up 😀
Hi –
This recipe says “serves 5 people” at the top. Then says “serves 1 person” at the bottom? 1/2 lb ground chicken sounds like far too little for 5 people. Also instruction number 4 says ” run potato masher through soup roughly to help thicken it up??? SOUP? 🙂 Looks so yummy but I don’t want to waste ingrediants. Can you please clarify Thanks
Hi Lesley, The “1 serving” at the bottom is just for the nutrition facts! The recipe makes around 5 bowls and isn’t overly meaty, as you may be able to tell from the photos. I do like to double this recipe and make more servings to freeze some for later. The instructions should say “chili” instead 🙂
I love this recipe. I use a lb of meat because that’s why I have. It’s also good with ground bison.
Awesome, so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Yum! I used a pound of turkey, and made in the instant pot. Added a little extra liquid because of the extra meat, but it turned out a little soupier than I like. Will definitely make again, but will only use 1 cup of broth and a pound of meat.
This has become one of my favorite things to make at home. Very easy to make and so delicious! I’ve even shared a bowl with a neighbor during one of our social distancing driveway get together and she loved it too!
I’m so glad you and your neighbor both loved this chili, Jackie! Thanks for reporting back 😀
Fantastic recipe! I used 1 lb. of ground venison, added a pablano pepper and used chipotle chili powder. Wow! This has so much savory flavor!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thanks for reporting back!