This Sweet Potato & Quinoa Chili recipe with kidney & black beans is hearty and full of flavor, and makes a great vegan lunch, dinner, or meal prep idea! Includes stovetop and slow cooker options.
Meals that can easily fit into your meal rotation, like this vegan Sweet Potato & Quinoa Chili, are what I really love to share. As we can get a bit bored with the usual meals, it’s nice to have more easy options that come together in a cinch.
Why is this chili recipe so great?
- There’s nothing complicated in this recipe, everything is probably in your kitchen right now, or you can find it right away at your favorite grocery store.
- This thick and hearty sweet potato & quinoa chili has plenty of protein, essential fiber, vitamins, and minerals while being flavorful and satisfying.
- It’s gluten-free, well balanced, low fat, and includes an option to be oil-free!
I love finding these simple dishes that truly work and can be made over and over again. I know you’re going to love this chili and find yourself making it often during the chili weather season!
Easy and delicious, bring on the chili!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here is everything you’ll need, plus ideas for ingredient substitutions (measurements are in the recipe card below):
- The Beans. We’ll be using protein-rich black beans and kidney beans. Feel free to use your favorite in any combo you like. Pinto beans would be great here too!
- Sweet Potato. One large sweet potato is all you need. I peeled mine, but you can leave the skin on for even more fiber (just be sure to scrub the sweet potato beforehand.
- Quinoa. Use your favorite quinoa, mine happens to be tri-color.
- Tomato. I’ve used a canned of diced tomatoes, with juices, for ease, but you can use 2 – 3 fresh roma tomatoes if you prefer.
- Tomato Paste. Tomato paste adds a wonderful umami flavor and helps thicken the chili nicely.
- Onion. Any color will do, use your favorite.
- Garlic. If you don’t have fresh garlic on hand add an extra 1 – 2 teaspoons of garlic powder.
- Spices. You’ll find a tasty mix of chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Plus, I usually add a dash or two of garlic and onion powder for good measure.
- Garnish. This sweet potato & quinoa chili is great with diced avocado, cilantro, and homemade vegan cornbread. If you like heat, a few slices of jalapeno are perfect!
How To Make Sweet Potato & Quinoa Chili
This Sweet Potato & Quinoa Chili is so easy to make on the stovetop and will be ready in under 1 hour!
- Stovetop: In a large pot or dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, cook until soft and edges browned, about 5 – 6 minutes. Add garlic, cook 1 minute more. Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic & onion powder, quinoa, beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, sweet potato, and broth/water, stir until combined. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover slightly ajar and cook for 30 – 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Chili is ready when sweet potatoes are tender. Add additional water as needed.
Here is also a method for making this chili using a crock-pot, because sometimes you just want to set it and forget it!
- Slow-Cooker: Add all the onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, beans, sweet potatoes, quinoa, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, oregano, onion & garlic powder, and broth/water to the bottom of the crockpot insert, stir until combined. Turn on high and cook for 4 – 6 hours, or turn on low and cook for 6 – 8 hours.
It’s a one-pot meal that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or make-ahead meal planning!
Eating vegan meals every day that are healthy and tasty is really easy once you get the hang of it!
How Long Will Leftovers Keep?
Leftovers will keep for 5 – 6 days in the refrigerator, stored in a covered container. Re-warm on the stovetop or the microwave. It makes great meal prep for the week with vegan cornbread on the side.
Can You Freeze Quinoa Chili?
Yes, it freezes wonderfully for up to 2 – 3 months! My favorite ways to freeze this sweet potato & quinoa chili is in individual portion sizes using freezer-safe containers. Then when I want to cozy up with a bowl of warm soup I can just pull it from the freezer and warm it up. You can also freeze larger portions in large ziplock bags or containers.
Serving Suggestions
- Top with diced avocado and fresh chopped cilantro
- Top with a dollop of Vegan Cashew Sour Cream
- Add a sprinkle of vegan shredded cheese and/or green onions
- Serve with homemade Vegan Cornbread or Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins
- Try topping it on a baked sweet potato!
More Chili Inspiration
- Quinoa Chili Verde
- Easy Vegetable Chili
- The Ultimate Tempeh Chili
- Vegan Three Bean Chili
- See all vegan chili recipes on TSV!
If you try this easy vegan chili recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.
PrintSweet Potato & Quinoa Chili
Full of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals, this easy Sweet Potato & Quinoa Chili is thick, hearty and always a good thing!
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 45 min
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4 – 6 1x
- Category: Entree, Chili
- Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or ¼ cup water (for water saute)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 5 – 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- a few dashes of garlic powder
- a few dashes of onion powder
- himalayan salt, to taste
- 1 cup dried quinoa
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) fire roasted diced tomatoes (with juices) or 1 ½ cups diced fresh tomatoes
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1 large sweet potato (about 1 lb.), diced (with or without skin)
- 5 – 6 cups water or vegetable broth (or combo)
Optional garnish for serving
- diced avocado
- cilantro
- diced onion and/or jalapeno
Instructions
Stovetop: In large pot or dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, cook until soft and edges browned, about 5 – 6 minutes. Add garlic, cook 1 minute more. Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic & onion powder, quinoa, beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, sweet potato, and broth/water, stir until combined. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover slightly ajar and cook for 30 – 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Chili is ready when sweet potatoes are tender. Add additional water if chili is too thick for your liking.
Slow-Cooker: Add all the onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, beans, sweet potatoes, quinoa, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, oregano, onion & garlic powder and broth/water to the bottom of the crockpot insert, stir until combined. Turn on high and cook for 4 – 6 hours, or turn on low and cook for 6 – 8 hours.
Serve with optional garnishes. You may also like to top it with this easy Cilantro Lime Cashew ‘Sour Cream’.
Serves 4 generously.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 – 6 days. To keep longer, store in the freezer, in freezer safe containers, for up to 2 – 3 months.
Notes
As with all recipes, adjust seasoning to taste. Add a ½ teaspoon or so chipotle powder for some added heat. Also, use whatever beans you prefer. You may even like to use one two different kinds.
Use your favorite beans, in any combination.
Updated: Sweet Potato & Quinoa Chili recipe originally published March 2013 and has been updated October 2019 with new photos and helpful tips. No change to recipe – I wouldn’t dare!
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Marie T says
Even though it’s summer, I decide to try this chili, in anticipation of Fall. Very good! Will definitely be making it often. Thank you for a delicious recipe.
★★★★★
Bonni Patterson says
My partner and I love this dish. I usually use 19 oz. cans of kidney beans and black beans and a 28 oz can of tomatoes and use about 1 1/2 lbs of sweet potatoes. It is so good, good for you and easy!
★★★★★
Diana says
I absolutely loved this recipe. It came out so delicious! Definitely use broth instead of water (my opinion). Very tasty and I will be making this again!
★★★★★
Cindy says
Super delicious! It made so much, I’m going to be eating for days. :)
★★★★★
Deb says
Made as directed, turned out perfect!
★★★★★
Jamie says
Made this recipe today and loved it. So simple to make. Putting the tomato paste in really gave it a unique taste. I even added just a pinch of Cajun seasoning. Will make it again and might try lentils instead of quinoa.
★★★★
Brenton says
My favorite go-to chili when the temps go south! Thanks for the recipe
★★★★★
Sarah says
I didn’t like this very much. Maybe my fault as I tried to reduce the recipe (it makes a lot) but I probably didn’t scale it down correctly as I seemed to have more quinoa than anything. But even with better proportions, I don’t think I like the quinoa in this, it just isn’t “hearty” enough to me for a chili, especially as it sat it seemed very soggy. The flavor was just ok. I’m trying to figure out how to salvage this because I still have a lot left and I don’t want to waste it because it is very healthy. Maybe I will try adding lentils.
Chris says
Has anyone tried using Turkey meat with this recipe? I’m curious to know how that would work and what place it would take in the steps