Hearty Sweet Potato Turkey Chili Recipe: Warm & Cozy Comfort

Hearty sweet potato turkey chili brings warmth and robust flavor to your dinner table.

Robust ingredients combine in a delightful medley that refines ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences.

Nutritious and satisfying, this chili packs a punch of wholesome goodness that elevates comfort food to new heights.

Rich spices intermingle with tender meat and velvety vegetables, creating a complex taste profile that dances across your palate.

Home cooks adore how simple ingredients can merge into such a tantalizing dish with minimal effort.

Deeply satisfying and perfectly balanced, this recipe promises to become a staple in your weekly meal rotation.

The magic of this chili lies in its ability to comfort and nourish simultaneously.

Tips for Thick, Flavorful Turkey Chili

• Boost Meat Flavor: Brown ground turkey thoroughly to develop a deeper, richer taste before adding to the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust jalapeño and chili powder quantity to match your personal heat preference, removing seeds for milder results.
• Perfect Sweet Potato Texture: Dice sweet potatoes into uniform, bite-sized cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent softness throughout the chili.
• Enhance Depth of Flavor: Let chili rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking to allow seasonings to meld and intensify the overall taste profile.
• Meal Prep Friendly: Freeze leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 months, making this a convenient make-ahead meal for busy weeks.

Chili Storage and Reheating Instructions

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chili in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Transfer chili to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated chili in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. For frozen chili, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture if needed. Microwave in short intervals, stirring between each, to ensure even heating.

Delicious Pairings for Sweet Potato Turkey Chili

• Pair with Crisp Craft Beer: Select a hoppy pale ale or amber beer to cut through the chili's rich, spicy flavors. The beer's carbonation and slight bitterness perfectly complement the sweet potato's earthiness and turkey's lean protein.
• Serve with Zesty Cornbread: Whip up a jalapeño-cheddar cornbread to echo the chili's southwestern profile. The bread's slightly sweet, crumbly texture provides a delightful contrast to the chunky, hearty chili.
• Top with Fresh Lime Margarita: Mix a classic margarita with fresh lime juice to brighten the dish's deep, warming spices. The cocktail's citrusy tang and tequila kick will elevate the chili's complex flavor layers.
• Garnish with Cool Sour Cream: Add a dollop of tangy sour cream or Greek yogurt to balance the chili's heat. This creamy topping creates a soothing counterpoint to the spicy jalapeños and robust seasonings.

Variations to Customize Your Turkey Chili Bowl

• Veggie Power Chili: Replace ground turkey with plant-based ground meat or extra firm tofu, keeping all other ingredients the same for a vegetarian protein-packed meal.
• Beef Bold Version: Swap ground turkey with lean ground beef for a classic chili flavor profile, maintaining the sweet potato and original spice blend.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Add kalamata olives, reduce jalapeño, include crumbled feta cheese, and sprinkle dried oregano to create a Greek-inspired chili experience.
• Spicy Southwest Remix: Increase jalapeño quantity, incorporate chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, and top with pepper jack cheese for an extra kick of heat and complexity.

Why Sweet Potato Turkey Chili Is a Cozy Meal

• Boost Nutrition Effortlessly: Packed with lean ground turkey and nutrient-dense sweet potatoes, this chili delivers a powerful protein and vitamin punch without complicated cooking techniques.
• Customize Your Comfort: Flexible cooking methods like slow cooker and Instant Pot mean you can adapt the recipe to your schedule, making delicious meals simple and stress-free for busy home cooks.
• Spice Up Your Meal Prep: Vibrant green chiles, jalapeños, and a blend of seasonings create a flavor explosion that transforms ordinary chili into an exciting, zesty dining experience with layers of warmth and complexity.
• Hassle-Free Healthy Dinner: Minimal prep work, straightforward ingredients, and quick cooking times make this chili a perfect weeknight solution for families wanting nutritious meals without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients for Sweet Potato Turkey Chili

• Ground Turkey: Lean protein base with rich flavor, choose fresh or frozen with no added preservatives.
• Chicken Broth: Creates liquid base for chili, low-sodium options work best for controlling salt content.

• Sweet Potato, Green Bell Pepper: Adds natural sweetness and texture, select firm and vibrant colored vegetables.
• Onion, Garlic: Classic flavor builders with depth and aroma, fresh produce recommended.
• Jalapeño, Green Chiles: Provides heat and southwestern flavor, remove seeds for milder spice.
• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce: Provides moisture and tangy base for chili, no-salt-added varieties work well.

• Avocado Oil: Healthy cooking oil with high smoke point, good for sautéing ingredients.
• Seasonings (not specified in original recipe): Essential for developing complex chili flavor profile, adjust to personal taste preference.

Instructions to Cook Sweet Potato Turkey Chili

Step 1: Prepare Aromatics

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat

Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent

Stir in minced garlic and cook briefly

Step 2: Brown Turkey

Add ground turkey to the skillet

Cook until completely browned

Crumble turkey with a spatula while cooking

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

Transfer cooked turkey to slow cooker

• Sweet potato
• Green bell pepper
• Diced green chiles
• Chicken broth
• Jalapeño
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Seasonings

Step 4: Slow Cook

Stir all ingredients thoroughly

Cover with lid

Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Ladle chili into bowls

• Sliced avocado
• Fresh cilantro
• Shredded cheese

Instant Pot Method:

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics

Set Instant Pot to sauté mode

Heat oil

Add garlic and onion

Sauté until onion softens

Step 2: Brown Turkey

Add ground turkey

Cook until completely browned

Break into small pieces while cooking

Step 3: Add Remaining Ingredients

Cancel sauté setting

• Sweet potato
• Green bell pepper
• Diced green chiles
• Chicken broth
• Jalapeño
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Seasonings

Stir thoroughly

Step 4: Pressure Cook

Secure lid

Set vent to sealing

Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Perform quick release

Open lid

Stir chili

Serve warm with desired toppings

Sweet Potato Turkey Chili Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty sweet potato turkey chili delivers comfort and warmth in one satisfying bowl. Mexican-inspired spices and lean protein mingle with creamy sweet potatoes, creating a nourishing meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 2 pounds ground turkey

Vegetables:

• 1 large sweet potato, diced into 1″ cubes (or 2 medium)
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeño, diced
• 1 4-ounce (113 grams) can diced green chiles
• 1 28-ounce (794 grams) can diced tomatoes

Spices and Liquids:

• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 14-ounce (397 grams) can tomato sauce
• ½ tablespoon cumin
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon coriander

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Instructions

1. Prepare the aromatic base by heating oil in a skillet, sautéing onions until they become translucent and glassy, then quickly introduce minced garlic for a fragrant infusion.
2. Incorporate ground turkey into the skillet, methodically breaking down the meat with a spatula until it achieves a uniform golden-brown color and crumbly texture.
3. For slow cooker method, transfer the seasoned turkey mixture into the slow cooker vessel, creating a robust foundation for the chili.
4. Layer in sweet potato cubes, vibrant green bell peppers, zesty green chiles, and fiery jalapeños to build complex flavor dimensions.
5. Pour chicken broth, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce over the ingredients, ensuring complete coverage and moisture integration.
6. Generously sprinkle seasonings throughout the mixture, gently stirring to distribute flavors evenly and create a harmonious blend.
7. For slow cooker: Cover and allow the chili to simmer on low temperature for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, enabling ingredients to meld and tenderize.
8. For instant pot: Utilize the sauté function to develop initial flavor layers, then switch to high-pressure cooking for 15 minutes.
9. Once cooking completes, release pressure and give a final stirring to redistribute ingredients.
10. Ladle the steaming chili into serving bowls, garnishing with fresh avocado slices, chopped cilantro, or a sprinkle of shredded cheese for added richness.

Notes

• Versatile Cooking Methods: Easily prepare this hearty chili using either slow cooker or Instant Pot, giving you flexibility based on your time and kitchen equipment.
• Nutrient-Packed Protein: Ground turkey provides lean protein while sweet potatoes add rich, complex nutrients and a delightful natural sweetness to the dish.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust jalapeño quantity to personalize heat intensity, making this chili perfect for mild or spicy preference lovers.
• Meal Prep Champion: This chili stores wonderfully in refrigerator for 4-5 days and freezes exceptionally well, ideal for busy weeknight dinners or advanced meal planning.
• Customizable Toppings: Elevate your chili experience with fresh toppings like creamy avocado, zesty cilantro, or melty shredded cheese to create a personalized meal.
• Quick Cooking Time: Instant Pot method delivers a delicious, hearty meal in just 30 minutes, while slow cooker provides hands-off convenience for busy home cooks.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg