Seasoned ground beef (or turkey), tender sweet potatoes, and a medley of spices, all simmered to perfection in the Crock-Pot. This hearty and flavorful slow cooker sweet potato chili is the ultimate comfort food for chillier days. Serve it up with your favorite toppings for a warm and satisfying meal that practically makes itself. It’s a real winner!

The Ingredients You’ll Need for This Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef (or turkey)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 tsp garlic (minced)
• 2 sweet potatoes (chopped)
• 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 ounces)
• 1 can tomato sauce (15 ounces)
• 1 can diced tomatoes (15 ounces)
• 2 cans chili beans in sauce (15 ounces)
• 2 TBS chili powder
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 TBS white vinegar
• 2 TBS honey

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Here’s How to Make the Chili

1. In a skillet, heat a splash of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent.
2. Add the ground beef (or turkey) and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat if you’re not using lean ground beef.
3. Pour the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chili beans into the Crock-pot. Stir until everything is well combined.
4. Add the diced sweet potatoes, chili powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
5. Transfer the cooked meat, onion, and garlic to the Crock-Pot and give it a good stir.
6. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until the sweet potatoes are tender.
7. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Creative Ways to Enhance This Chili

While this recipe is fantastic on its own, here are some unique ingredients to consider incorporating into your slow cooker sweet potato chili to really take it to the next level.

1. Beer: Pour in some of your favorite beer for a robust, malty flavor. This is really good during Oktoberfest, for example. #ontrend
2. Sausage: Use ground sausage instead of beef (or turkey) or use a combinatino of beef and sausage for an extra layer of savory goodness.
3. Sweet Corn: Add fresh or frozen sweet corn kernels for a pop of natural sweetness, color, and texture.
4. Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: Swap regular diced tomatoes for fire-roasted to infuse your chili with a smoky essence.
5. Pumpkin: Embrace the autumn spirit by adding pumpkin puree for a velvety richness. Or try my pumpkin chili instead.

Have Extra Sweet Potatoes?

If you’re anything like me, you never buy just one (or even two) sweet potatoes regardless of what the recipe calls for. So if you have a potato or two left over, this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet is the answer. It’s tasty, filling, and can be ready to eat in 30 minutes.

How to Freeze and Store Chili

This chili is incredibly freezer-friendly, making it perfect for meal prep and future enjoyment. Here’s how to freeze and store it:

1. Cool It Down: Allow the chili to cool to room temperature.
2. Portion It Out: Divide the chili into individual servings or family-sized portions, depending on your needs.
3. Containerize: Use airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for storage. If using bags, remove as much air as possible before sealing and lay them flat, so that as they freeze, they’re stackable.
4. Label and Date: Clearly label each container or bag with the date and contents. Slow cooker sweet potato chili can be frozen for up to 3-4 months.
5. Freeze It: Place the containers or bags in the freezer. Again, lay them flat to save space.
6. Refrigerate It: If you’re storing the chili in the fridge, it’ll keep for 5-7 days. If you need to store it longer than that, just pop it in the freezer instead.
7. Reheat with Ease: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen chili, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, and then reheat on the stove or in the microwave when you’re ready to eat it. Be sure to stir occasionally for even heating.

Slow cooker sweet potato chili is a comforting and convenient way to get a home cooked dinner on the table with very little effort. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting, so you’ll have a flavorful, hearty meal waiting for you when you’re ready for it. Dust off your Crock-pot my friends, gather up some ingredients, and let’s get ready to fully enjoy chili season.