Turkey Sweet Potato Chili

The wonderful thing about chili is it’s infinitely customizable. Our turkey sweet potato recipe is the perfect example; it contains no beef or tomatoes and includes sweet potato puree or canned pumpkin for a hint of sweetness and extra nutrition. It’s a wonderful dish to start on a cool morning, as much of the cooking is done in a slow cooker. This just might become your new signature chili recipe!

Ingredients for Turkey Sweet Potato Chili 

• Ground turkey: 1 pound of already ground turkey gives this recipe plenty of protein.
• Onion: One small onion, chopped, is all you need for this dish. Feel free to add more if you enjoy loads of onions or omit them if you don’t care about them.
• Chicken broth: Chicken broth adds umami to this dish; you’ll need 2 cups for this chili recipe.
• Sweet potato puree or canned pumpkin: One 15-ounce can of either item adds color and flavor to the chili. It also saves time, as you won’t have to peel or cook sweet potatoes.
• Chopped green chiles: One 4-ounce can adds heat and makes the chili a little spicy.
• Spices: Chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, curry powder, oregano and salt team up to make this a wonderfully aromatic and delicious chili.
• Great northern beans: Rinse and drain one 15-ounce can of these beans for the chili.
• Sour cream, fresh cilantro, sliced red onions (optional): These add-ons can be served at the table so everyone can choose their favorite extras.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the turkey and onion

In a large skillet, cook the ground turkey and onion over medium heat until the turkey is no longer pink and the onion is tender, for five to seven minutes. Break the turkey into crumbles while cooking it; drain the grease after cooking. Transfer the cooked turkey and onion to a 3- or 4-quart slow cooker.

Step 2: Slow cook the turkey sweet potato chili

Stir in the broth, sweet potato puree, chiles and seasonings. Cover and cook on low for four to five hours. Stir in the beans and cook until they’re heated through, for about one hour. If desired, top each serving with sour cream, cilantro and red onions.

Recipe Variations

• Add cinnamon: Add a little more flavor and fragrance to the chili with 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, which pairs nicely with turkey and the sweet potato or pumpkin.
• Get cheesy: Offer shredded cheddar cheese at the table to top each serving for extra flavor.
• Top with Greek yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt makes a healthy substitute for sour cream. Vegan Greek yogurt is another option that eliminates dairy.
• Top with pepitas: Use pepitas or pumpkin seeds as a garnish for each bowl of chili. Both are packed with nutrients; pepitas offer iron, zinc, magnesium and phosphorus, among other nutrients while pumpkin seeds contain healthy fats, vitamin E, protein and fiber. They both add a little crunch, too.

How to Store Turkey Sweet Potato Chili

When the chili cools, transfer it to food-storage containers and store it in the refrigerator. It’ll keep for about four days if refrigerated.

Can you freeze turkey sweet potato chili?

Yes. When the chili is cool, transfer it to portion-sized freezer containers and pop them into the freezer. The chili keeps for four to six months, frozen. Partially thaw the chili in the refrigerator overnight before enjoying it again. Warm it back up by heating it in a saucepan and stirring it occasionally; add broth if necessary.

Can you make turkey sweet potato chili ahead of time?

Yes. The nice thing about making it ahead is it gives the flavors time to unite and blend even more! Make the chili a day or so ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator when it cools. Reheat it before serving.

Turkey Sweet Potato Chili Tips

Can I make this with chicken instead?

Absolutely! Brown the ground chicken just as you would the ground turkey and follow the recipe as directed. You could also use shredded or cubed turkey or chicken that’s pre-cooked; just add it directly to the slow cooker. Saute the onions on their own if using cooked turkey or chicken.

Could I make this without a slow cooker?

Yes! Prepare the ground turkey and onion in the skillet as directed and then transfer everything to a large pot rather than a slow cooker. Chili tastes better with a long, slow cook time rather than heating everything up really fast. Cook it on medium or medium-low heat once it simmers and let it cook for at least an hour for the best flavor, stirring occasionally.

Could I use sweet potatoes rather than canned sweet potatoes?

Sure! Bake or microwave the sweet potatoes ahead of time (or use sweet potatoes left over from another recipe), then scoop their insides into the slow cooker.