This thick, hearty chili is loaded with tender sweet potatoes, lots of quinoa, and plenty of comfort! Whips up in 30 minutes and ideal for a filling weeknight dinner.
I kinda want/need this chili in my face every second of this Monday.
In other news, no, food bloggers do not get Martin Luther King Jr Day off of work. How-eeeeever we do get to stuff chili in our faces the entire day with a lot of chocolate on the side, so that’s a definite plus.
Okay, maybe that’s just me on this particular day….
FYI. I’m not too much of a football fan (like not at all) but I’ve gotta say: The big game yesterday? Painful. Agonizingly painful. Packers? You suck.
Gahhh…I don’t even want to think about it. Just pass me all the chili.
Guys. I have a super-big, unbelievably-embarrassing, so-humiliating-I-may-die confession to make. Brace yourselves.
Up until this chili today and possibly 5 times in the past week, I have never cooked or even eaten quinoa in my life.
Don’t laugh! Don’t just sit there with your mouth hanging open. It’s true and yes, I am so ashamed of my apparent inability to keep up with the food trends of today.
The reason I hadn’t gotten around to trying it for the first 18 years of my life is because I’m pretty sure I thought that quinoa was some kind of weird relative of rice, which I don’t love all that much. I mean, let’s be honest: Quinoa looks kinda weird and suspicious and I guess I’m just a really judgy person or something…
Anywho. Breath, guys. I’m onboard the Quinoa-Train now, so it’s all good.
Now shall we discuss the chili that turned me into a Quinoa-Crazy-Lady?
Well, hey there lover. ♥
All of us run-around-like-a-chicken-with-it’s-head-cut-off kinda busy people are all in love with the 30-minute-or-under dinners right?
Okay, that was the grossest analogy I’ve ever used on my blog….
BUT. In answering the question, the answer is HECK YES, right?! Because this chili is exactly that!! It basically just makes itself it’s so stinkin’ easy.
Chop, chop, sizzle, sizzle, cook, pace-the-floor-from-impatience-for-10-minutes, then CHOW DOWN.
My face says yes to all this happiness. My jeans say STOP, but I don’t listen.
Oh, oh and let me tell you something about the quinoa + sweet potatoes combo we’ve got going on here. It equals complete INSANELY DELISH SUPERFOOD MADNESS.
In other news, yes 12 Days of Superfoods are still going down here. I’m pretty sure we’re on day #9 today. Although, who’s counting? I could party like this all year. 😀
The quinoa and sweet potatoes are definitely the stars of this chili. Sure, we’ve got the beans and the meat in there, but the ‘taters and quinoa are LARGE and in CHARGE and totally making this chili your new favorite way to face off a Monday.
Oh, and do note that the sliced avocados and sour cream on top just goes with the territory of chili. Ahem.
All you need then is a double-batch of this cornbread and you are in the COZY AND COMFORT-FOOD business.
A good business to be in this time of year. Proooooooomise. 🙂
Sweet Potato Quinoa Chili
This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 large green pepper diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and diced
- 1 can 28 oz tomato sauce
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 can 28 oz black beans, drained
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sliced avocado and sour cream for serving optional
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, brown ground beef with onion, pepper, and garlic until no longer pink. Stir sweet potatoes, tomato sauce, water, quinoa, beans, and seasonings into beef mixture.
- Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer until sweet potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Season chili with salt and pepper. Serve warm with sliced avocado and sour cream if desired.
Want more chili? Of course you do!
White Bean and Chicken Chili Soup — Hip Foodie Mom
White Bean Salsa Verde Chili — Cookie Monster Cooking
Slow-Cooker Butternut Squash Quinoa Chili — Kristine’s Kitchen
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
This chili looks all kinds of delicious and SO comforting, Sarah! I love the addition of quinoa and sweet potatoes! I think I might have to make a vegetarian version of this for dinner this week!! YUM! 🙂 Happy Monday! Hope your week is off to a great start! Pinned!
Sarah says
Thank you Ceara! I love your idea of making this chili into a vegetarian version! Definitely let me know how it turns out. 🙂
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
So pretty and I bet it tastes amazing. Love all things sweet potato.
Pinned.
Hope you had a fab weekend!
Sarah says
Thanks for pinning Melanie! 🙂
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert says
Why can’t we have long weekends too? My husband had a four day weekend because of the holiday today. Here I am, up bright and early, working.
This chili looks amazing. If it’s sweet potato, it’s a win!
Sarah says
Haha right?! Food blogger problems. 😉
Thanks Jen!!
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen says
I am always looking for a reason to put sweet potatoes in a dish. This chili looks amazing!! Pinned. 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks for pinning and for the kind words, Renee! 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
I know dude .. the game last night was rough. . but at least you have this fabulous chili to drown your sorrows in. . this is my kind of chili!!I’m obsessed with sweet potatoes and black beans right now. Love this, Sarah!
Sarah says
Exactly!! Thank goodness for chili, right?! 😉 LOL. Thanks Alice!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
I LOVE quinoa! So glad you finally gave it a try! It’s so nice because it cooks so quickly. This chili looks really delicious. I love a good quinoa chili.
Sarah says
I’m pretty much in love with quinoa now, and I know you have a TON of quinoa recipes on your blog, so I’m definitely gonna have to try a few really soon! 🙂
Sarah @ The Gold Lining Girl says
WHAT??? You haven’t tried quinoa til now??? How is this possible?! Haha. I kid. I was late to that game too!! It’s fabulous though and I’m super in love with it. I’m glad you’re on the quinoa-train! I love that this chili is unconventional and has unique flavors like the sweet potatoes and quinoa. I have a lot of chili recipes, and this is no ordinary version! Thanks for sharing, girl!
Oh, and, I feel you on the Packers…. I was rooting for them and that was so brutal to watch! How did they NOT win? So frustrating. 🙁
Sarah says
Haha I know I’m super-late to the quinoa game, but better late than never, right? 😉
And RIGHT?! The Packers crushed my spirits in that painful game.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
We’re on the same wavelength again because I just posted a chili recipe, too! I love this version, Sarah! I have to try quinoa and chili together. Such a fantastic combo! And those sweet potatoes look amazing, too! Pinning!
Sarah says
Great minds definitely think alike! Love it. 😀 Thanks Gayle!!
Sues says
I eat quinoa multiple times a week… I bet you’ll become addicted, too!! This is such a great hearty but healthy chili!
Also, I’m a Patriots fan, so last night’s game was pretty awesome for me 🙂
Sarah says
I think I’m already becoming addicted to quinoa! Definitely not gonna fight that. 😀 Thanks Sue!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Don’t feel bad, I think I’ve only made quinoa a few times too. I always reach for the rice instead. But I really should start cooking quinoa more, since it has so much protein in it. This chili sounds amazing! I love that you added sweet potato too!
Sarah says
Yay! I’m glad I’m not the only semi-crazy person. LOL. Just kidding of course. Thanks so much Nat!!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Yay, so glad you tried quinoa and love it now 🙂 This chili looks absolutely gorgeous, Sarah! Sweet potatoes and quinoa are my favorite but I’ve never tried them together in a chili before – that sounds amazing!!! It’s been so cold here and I would love a big bowl of this to warm up with right now! <3
Sarah says
This chili sounds RIGHT up your alley, Kelly! If it’s cold where you are, you definitely need to give it a try! 😉
Keri says
Wow! I can’t believe you’ve never tried quinoa!! I’m glad you are on board now, though. I recently made a quinoa crusted quiche – so good!! I love the idea to use it in chili with sweet potato – looks delicious!
Sarah says
That quiche sounds absolutely amazing, Keri!!
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
I have tried quinoa, but I am still having a hard time getting on board with it. You hate rice? Crazy lady! This does look insanely delicious though!
Sarah says
I don’t flat-out HATE rice, but I do have a bit of a time getting on board with it. 😉 I definitely love quinoa more now! Thanks Amber!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Glad you are onboard the quinoa train! It’s cool – I’m always like 10 steps behind all the trends (food, fashion, etc.) anyways. This chili looks perfect for game day. I’m not much of a football fan, but since I’m from New England AND used to live in Seattle I guess I better get interested in the Super Bowl this year!
Sarah says
Haha it’s good to know I’m not the only one a little behind the trends. LOL. Thanks so much Liz!!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Never made a quinoa chili before.. so this is something I must try. I have to save the delicious recipe for when it cools down as it’s summer here in Australia and chili is not ideal for the weather!
Sarah says
I keep forgetting that you’re all the way on the other side of the world, Thaila! Definitely bookmark this recipe for when your weather changes a little! LOL.
mira says
I love quinoa and am always happy to discover new recipes with it! Pinned and will try it!
Sarah says
Thanks for pinning, Mira! LMK how it turns out if you try it. 🙂