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Wholesome Turkey Chili with Sweet Potato: Easy 30-Minute Meal

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This wholesome turkey chili with sweet potato is a quick, 30-minute meal that’s packed with flavor and nutrition. It’s the perfect comfort food that feels like a hug, even on a random Tuesday.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey (93/7)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed (about 2 cups)
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices (fire-roasted preferred)
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce (no salt added)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional toppings: Greek yogurt or sour cream, shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil. Set your pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Let it warm up for about 30 seconds—you want it shimmering, not smoking.
  2. Cook the turkey. Add the ground turkey to the pot, breaking it up with your spoon. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s no longer pink. Don’t rush this step—browning adds flavor. If there’s excess liquid, drain it off (but leave a little for moisture).
  3. Sauté the aromatics. Push the turkey to one side of the pot and add the diced onion. Cook for 3 minutes, until it starts to soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more—you should smell it immediately. Stir everything together.
  4. Add the sweet potato and bell pepper. Toss in the cubed sweet potato and diced red pepper. Stir to coat them in the turkey mixture. Let them cook for 2 minutes, just to get a little color on the edges.
  5. Add the spices. Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well and let it cook for 1 minute—this ‘blooms’ the spices and makes them more flavorful.
  6. Pour in the liquids and beans. Add the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, chicken broth, and drained black beans. Stir until everything is combined. The pot should look a little soupy at this point—that’s okay, it will thicken as it cooks.
  7. Bring to a boil, then simmer. Turn the heat to high and bring the chili to a gentle boil. Once it’s bubbling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  8. Check the sweet potato. After 20 minutes, poke a cube of sweet potato with a fork. It should be tender but not falling apart. If it’s still firm, let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
  9. Taste and adjust. Give it a taste. Need more salt? Add it. Want more heat? A pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce works. This is your chili—make it yours.
  10. Rest before serving. Take the pot off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes. This lets the flavors settle and the chili thicken slightly. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.

Notes

Don’t skip the spice bloom—adding spices to the hot oil and meat mixture before the liquid wakes up the flavors. Cut sweet potato evenly (about ½ inch cubes) for even cooking. Let chili rest for 5 minutes off the heat before serving to meld flavors and thicken. For a thicker chili, mash a few sweet potato cubes against the side of the pot and stir back in. This chili freezes well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey chili, sweet potato chili, healthy chili, 30-minute meal, easy chili recipe, wholesome chili, gluten-free chili, dairy-free chili

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/wholesome-turkey-chili-with-sweet-potato-easy-30-minute-meal/