When the weather cools down or you're just craving something cozy, this Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili brings all the comfort of a slow-simmered classic with a healthier twist. This isn’t your typical heavy, greasy bowl of chili with beans and ground beef—this version is vibrant, hearty, and brimming with smoky spice, sweet undertones from the potatoes, and a satisfying lean protein boost from ground turkey. It’s the kind of dish you can throw together on a busy weeknight or let bubble away in your crockpot while you go about your day. Whether you're already deep into exploring turkey chilli recipes or just starting out with ground turkey recipes for dinner, this one's going to win a spot in your regular meal rotation.
Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Large Dutch oven or soup pot Ideal for making chili on the stovetop. It retains heat well and allows flavors to develop deeply.
Wooden Spoon or Spatula For breaking up and stirring the ground turkey as it browns.
Cutting board and chef’s knife Essential for prepping your veggies.
Crockpot or slow cooker If you want to make this into a crock pot turkey chili or slow cooker turkey chili version, this is your go-to appliance.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 pound ground turkey lean, ideally 93% or 85% lean for best flavor
- 1 large sweet potato peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth or water, if needed
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional for heat
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of ½ lime for brightness
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Optional toppings: Greek yogurt or sour cream shredded cheese, sliced avocado, jalapeños
Sauté the aromatics
Start by heating the olive oil in your Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Brown the turkey
Add the ground turkey and season with a little salt and pepper. Use a wooden spoon to break it up and cook until it's no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes. You can use ground chicken here if you're looking for a slight variation—this also works great if you’re after a ground chicken chili recipe instead.
Layer in flavor
Once the turkey is cooked, stir in the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Let the spices bloom for a minute before adding the sweet potatoes, red bell pepper, black beans, kidney beans, and crushed tomatoes. Pour in the broth and stir everything together.
Simmer
Bring the chili to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender and the flavors have melded beautifully.
Finish with brightness
Before serving, squeeze in the lime juice and adjust seasoning to taste. This simple touch really lifts the whole dish.
Serve it up
Ladle into bowls and top with cilantro, a dollop of Greek yogurt, and a sprinkle of cheese if you like. Serve hot and enjoy your healthy turkey chili!
Pairings
This hearty bowl is versatile, but here are a few pairing ideas that really complete the experience:
- Cornbread – Sweet, crumbly cornbread complements the smokiness of the chili beautifully. Try a jalapeño-cheddar variation if you like a kick.
- Tortilla Chips – Great for scooping or adding crunch to the top.
- A crisp side salad – Something light with a tangy vinaigrette helps balance the richness.
- Beer – A cold IPA or amber ale pairs wonderfully with the spice.
- Wine – If you're more of a wine person, try a Zinfandel or a Syrah for their bold, peppery notes.
FAQs
1. Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?
Absolutely. Ground chicken is a fine substitute and works especially well if you're used to lighter proteins. Just make sure it’s not too lean—some fat helps build flavor.
2. What kind of beans are best?
This recipe uses black beans and kidney beans, which offer great texture and balance, but you can also use pinto beans or even chickpeas for a twist. Some chili with beans and ground beef recipes stick with kidney beans, so this combo is a great homage to that classic.
3. Can I make this in a crockpot?
Yes! For a ground turkey chili crockpot version, just brown the turkey and sauté your onions and garlic first, then add everything to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. This doubles as a classic chili recipe crockpot option that’s super hands-off.
4. Is this chili low carb?
It's lower carb than traditional chili with beans and beef, but the sweet potato and beans do add carbs. For a low carb turkey chili recipe, skip the beans and sub in extra veggies like zucchini or mushrooms.
5. How does this compare to Panera’s turkey chili?
If you're a fan of the Panera turkey chili recipe, you’ll find this homemade version hits similar notes but with more control over ingredients and spice. It’s heartier, fresher, and perfect for batch cooking.
