Smoky Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili
Author Notes: Make game day memorable with this sweet, smoky, and flavorful chili recipe that just so happens to be vegan, too. —Gena Hamshaw
Serves 6
- 1 1/2 cups dried black beans
- 4 cups sweet potato, diced into 3/4 inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups chopped white or yellow onion (about one medium to large onion)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 chipotle pepper en adobo, chopped finely
- 2 teaspoons cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon ground chili powder
- 1 14 or 15 ounce can of diced tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth (and more as needed)
- sea salt to taste
- 1/4 cup chives, snipped into small pieces
- 1 large Haas avocado
- Soak the black beans in water for 6 to 8 hours, or overnight. Drain the soak liquid. Submerge them in fresh water, with enough to cover them by a few inches. Bring beans to a boil and lower to a simmer. Cook till beans are tender, approximately 45 minutes to one hour. Drain and set them aside.
- Heat the tablespoon of oil in a dutch oven or a large pot. Saute the onion for a few minutes, then add the sweet potato and garlic. Keep sauteing until the onions are translucent, about 8-10 minutes.
- Add the chili en adobo, the cumin, the chili powder, and the smoked paprika. Heat until the spices are very fragrant. Add the can of tomatoes and one can of vegetable broth.
- When broth is bubbling, reduce to a simmer and cook for approximately 30 or 35 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are totally tender. As you co along, you can continue to add the remaining cup of vegetable broth as is needed and depending on the texture chili you like. Season to taste with salt.
- When chili is finished, allow it to sit for a little while so that flavors can marinate. To serve, top a generous bowl with some fresh avocado slices and chives.
- This recipe is a Community Pick!
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3 months ago big 808
Is there a pressure cooker version or how would you modify? Tbx
10 months ago gustus
I love this recipe and have made it several times, and it just now dawned on me that I never commented on it. I even took it to a potluck chili contest, and it won (bragging rights only) for best vegetarian chili. I gave credit Gena and Food52 full credit when asked for the recipe. I have started adding an extra 1-2 cups of broth, just to make the batch stretch further, and haven't noticed any dilution of flavor. Thanks for this cool season staple!
over 1 year ago MKinLA
I came to this recipe by way of a adaptation from Washington Post (with attribution to this original). The adaptation uses rinsed canned black beans (low sodium), added along with the tomatoes and broth. Found myself out of smoked paprika so used sweet paprika, a little extra chipotle in adobo, a dash of Smoked Tabasco, and a few twists of Trader Joe's South African Smoke seasoning blend. Knocked out by the vibrant flavor of this chili. Added 1 T of dark brown sugar at the end to bump up the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes (sweet and spicy is a personal favorite; does not *need* it) and drizzled a cilantro yogurt cream over the top, which compliments the flavor, cools the heat, and cuts the calories of sour cream. Will probably top with cilantro instead of chives henceforth. The picky 12-year-old across the street gobbled down two bowls and pronounced it "heavenly," so kids can be fans, too, if they're spice tolerant. It's even better than it sounds, and it's definitely going into heavy rotation during the cooler months a lot more often than just Meatless Mondays.
over 1 year ago KathyS
Made this just in time for "snowzilla" and wow! It is a keeper (though agree with Tucker & Me and think the directions need to be updated). Anyway, I love the smoky, sweet, and spicy heat from all of the flavors. Thanks!
over 1 year ago Tucker & Me
It IS a fabulous dish. Had leftovers in an omelet this week, and stuffed in a tortilla.
over 1 year ago Tucker & Me
Maybe I'm blind, but there is nothing about adding back in the beans or did I miss it. Also, the ingredients call for 2 cups of broth then refer to a second "can" in the directions. I know what needs to happen here, but it could use a little more clarity...just sayin' :-)
over 1 year ago Miriam Phields
@Tucker & Me, I was wondering the same thing too about adding the beans in. Does. When do you add the beans?
over 1 year ago Tucker & Me
I add them (3 cans drained and rinsed when I have no time to deal with dried beans) after the aromatics with the tomatoes and broth.
almost 2 years ago trisha
I'm jumping the gun on fall but found fingerling sweet potatoes at the farmers market and gave this recipe a try. I used 2 cans of black beans and doubled up on the chipotle peppers in adobo (and added in a heaping tablespoon of the adobo sauce). AMAZING! It's still simmering away and the flavors are already great, I love how much the smoky flavor actually comes through. Packing this up in jars and I'm set for lunch for the week.
almost 3 years ago gingerroot
tastgreat
over 3 years ago Kaitlyn O'Keefe
awesome idea!! I added corn and red quinoa and it was fantastic :)
over 3 years ago Gisele73
This is delicious and easy! With canned beans, quick as well. Thanks very much.
over 3 years ago sarah williams
can you make this ahead of time?
over 3 years ago plainhomecook
Sure! It may lose a little heat but otherwise will be fine.
almost 4 years ago Sarah Quinn
This was absolutely delicious. It's the first time I used Chipotle peppers in adobo as they are hard to find in Dublin. Oh my, what a smoky delicious difference a real depth of flavour. Going to make it again tonight!
almost 4 years ago rsfgs
Yum. Thanks for the recipe. I used canned black beans and a winter ale instead of vegetable stock (once cooking was underway I realized I was stock-less). Would definitely make again. A good, hearty, fall dish.
almost 4 years ago BarbaraAnneCampbell
SomeFoodThings,are Tolomg,SoIWillzcutSomeofthemDowm...
almost 4 years ago Erika Kotite
Erika is the founder of Toque magazine and is guiding us through classic cocktails from A to Z in the Booze52 series.
Hi plainhomecook. I actually used canned beans when I made it. Just skip step 1 and drain 2 cans of organic black beans. Add to chili in step 4 when sweet potatoes are cooked, as Tedi suggested.
almost 4 years ago plainhomecook
Thank you Erika!
almost 4 years ago plainhomecook
I'm cooking this for a crowd and am in a hurry. How would you suggest I modify to use canned black beans? Thanks!
about 4 years ago Meryl Seigel
When do you add the beans?
almost 4 years ago Tedi
I just added them in when the potatoes were cooked to warm them through, as another reviewer suggested.
I will be making this again and again! I added in extra potatoes and ended up having enough to freeze (makes a lot for 2 people). I'm anxious to see how it tastes when thawed.
Great recipe!
over 4 years ago hotlips
Served this with a mixture of greek yogurt (6oz plain) and adobo sauce (5tsp). Better than cheese or sour cream.
over 4 years ago Natalie D.
Oh my goodness! This was so good. I made this last week for my family and my mom went and made it again this weekend. :) Thanks for sharing!
over 4 years ago adele93
has anybody tried this with another bean or lentil as it is very difficult to find dried or canned black beans in Victoria, Australia, i would have to order then from interstate
over 4 years ago JORJ
Can you get adzuki beans? I feel like any meatier bean would work in this recipe. I don't think lentils would be as good, but a bigger bean would be great -- cannellini, kidney, navy, etc.
over 4 years ago adele93
i can defiantly get kidney and cannelleni beans! but im just wondering about borlotti beans
over 4 years ago Kim Simpson
@adele I live in Adelaide and I got my black beans from the shelf at Coles.
over 4 years ago adele93
Oh really! Thanksfor that, ill have to look again
over 4 years ago Nyasha
Made this the other night and received rave reviews from friends. Substituted fresh tomatoes for canned & Cayenne pepper for chili powder. Omitted the chives & avocado because the selection at the grocer was less than appetizing. Very spicy, incredibly delicious. Will be making again and again and again!
Showing 30 out of 38 comments