One-Pot Wonders
Smoky Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili
Popular on Food52
49 Reviews
Jim B.
February 21, 2022
Nice recipe! The onion, sweet potato and tomatoes give it a markedly sweet flavor, which is balanced nicely with the smoky flavors of the paprika and chipotle. Salt helped give it more depth.
The directions fail to mention when to add the beans. I added them when I added the tomatoes.
The ingredient list includes 2 cups of broth and the directions mention adding 1 *can* of broth, and more later as needed. The smallest can of broth is 15 oz, or almost 2 cups -- adding all of that initially would have made the chili too soupy. I used a little more than 1 1/2 cups of homemade vegetable broth in total.
The directions fail to mention when to add the beans. I added them when I added the tomatoes.
The ingredient list includes 2 cups of broth and the directions mention adding 1 *can* of broth, and more later as needed. The smallest can of broth is 15 oz, or almost 2 cups -- adding all of that initially would have made the chili too soupy. I used a little more than 1 1/2 cups of homemade vegetable broth in total.
popinjay
July 14, 2021
Fabulous recipe! Very simple, quick to put together, doesn't require much fussing about.
For less heat, I suggest deseeding the chipotles. Makes a big difference.
Like its meatful chili cousins, it benefits /greatly/ from a good long while on a low simmer, then resting overnight.
I also increased the cumin and chili powder a bit. And agree it benefits from a bit of acidity... lime or vinegar or tabasco (which has vinegar).
For less heat, I suggest deseeding the chipotles. Makes a big difference.
Like its meatful chili cousins, it benefits /greatly/ from a good long while on a low simmer, then resting overnight.
I also increased the cumin and chili powder a bit. And agree it benefits from a bit of acidity... lime or vinegar or tabasco (which has vinegar).
LFK
February 9, 2021
Delicious!! Added two cups of vegetable stock at square one and a bit more after that. 2 tsp of kosher salt worked for me. The finale seemed to require acid. Squeezing two lime wedges over a serving did the trick. I often garnish w/sour cream, yoghurt, or cheddar cheese...but resisted my non-vegan impulses...
8675309
March 13, 2019
A nice go-to recipe for chilly winter days. The sweet potato flavor can overpower the black beans so maybe increase the bean-to-potato ratio or reduce the amount of sweet potato content. To reply to Dana below - yes - it does freeze well. I've made/frozen it twice - no problem!
Sherry S.
January 19, 2018
Great recipe, although I made a few changes. I used butternut squash instead of sweet potatoes, used a full 28 oz can of fire-roasted tomatoes and just one cup of vegetable broth, doubled the spices, used two chiles in adobo and one of my cans of beans was kidney. This recipe gets deeper and more flavorful as it sits. This is a real winner.
gustus
October 17, 2016
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!
MKinLA
January 27, 2016
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.
KathyS
January 25, 2016
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!
Tucker &.
January 25, 2016
It IS a fabulous dish. Had leftovers in an omelet this week, and stuffed in a tortilla.
Tucker &.
January 12, 2016
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' :-)
Miriam P.
March 27, 2016
@Tucker & Me, I was wondering the same thing too about adding the beans in. Does. When do you add the beans?
Tucker &.
March 27, 2016
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.
Kaja1105
February 9, 2021
The recipe also appears in the Food52 vegan cookbook, and there is says to add the beans with the tomatoes and broth. I made a big pot of black beans last week to use in a different recipe and decided to use some of the extra beans in this one. Excellent! I had no chili powder, so I used 1 tsp. of ground chipotle.
trisha
September 20, 2015
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.
Gisele73
February 3, 2014
This is delicious and easy! With canned beans, quick as well. Thanks very much.
Sarah Q.
November 11, 2013
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!
rsfgs
October 23, 2013
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.
Erika K.
September 19, 2013
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.
See what other Food52ers are saying.