Turkey and White Bean Sweet Potato Chili – High-Fiber Comfort Food

Turkey and White Bean Sweet Potato Chili is my go-to recipe when I need something warm, wholesome, and incredibly satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.

I’m Chef Emma, and I created this high-fiber chili on a chilly autumn evening when my family craved comfort food that wouldn’t weigh them down.

Turkey and White Bean Sweet Potato Chili (High-Fiber)

This hearty Turkey and White Bean Sweet Potato Chili combines lean ground turkey, creamy white beans, and tender sweet potatoes in a perfectly spiced bowl. With 26g protein and 11g fiber per serving, it’s comfort food that nourishes your body and satisfies your soul!

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Calories: 320

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 pounds lean ground turkey 93% lean
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion diced
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 1 green bell pepper diced
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and cubed (1-inch pieces)
• 2 cans 15 oz each white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes with juice
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• Toppings: sour cream shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, green onions, lime wedges

Equipment

• Large Dutch oven or 6-quart pot
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• – Wooden spoon
• – Measuring cups and spoons
• Can opener
• – Ladle

Method

 

1. Prepare all ingredients by dicing onions and peppers, mincing garlic, and cubing sweet potatoes into uniform 1-inch pieces.
2. Heat olive oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook 6-8 minutes, breaking into crumbles, until no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Add onion and bell peppers to pot. Cook 5-6 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne. Cook 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to toast spices.
5. Add sweet potatoes, white beans, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover partially and simmer 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
7. Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or chili powder as needed.
8. Serve hot in bowls topped with sour cream, cheese, cilantro, green onions, and lime wedges.

Notes

Cut sweet potatoes uniformly for even cooking. Toast spices to enhance flavor. Mash some beans for thicker consistency. Chili freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Flavor improves after 24 hours in refrigerator. Add more broth when reheating if needed.

This turkey chili recipe has become our weekly staple. It combines lean ground turkey, creamy white beans, and naturally sweet potatoes in a perfectly spiced bowl of pure coziness. You can find it and many other family favorites right here at FamillyRecipes.com.

What makes this Turkey and White Bean Sweet Potato Chili so special is how it delivers maximum nutrition with minimal effort. The lean ground turkey provides protein without excess fat, while the white beans and sweet potatoes create a fiber-rich base that keeps everyone satisfied for hours.

Unlike traditional red chili, this version offers a creamy, mild flavor profile that even picky eaters love. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep Sundays, or cozy family gatherings. For more hearty family dinners, explore our Evening Meals and High-Protein Family Meals collections.

This recipe is incredibly versatile and budget-friendly. It uses pantry staples and simple seasonings to create restaurant-quality flavor at home.

The combination of ingredients provides an impressive amount of dietary fiber—essential for digestive health and maintaining steady energy. Whether you’re looking for high-fiber dinners, healthy meal prep options, or simply a delicious way to warm up on cold nights, this chili checks all the boxes!

H2: Summary

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Servings: 8 generous servings
• Difficulty: Easy
• Course: Evening Meals, High-Protein Family Meals, Thanksgiving Sides & One-Pot Dinners
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: High-Fiber, Dairy-Free Option, Gluten-Free

H2: Equipment

• Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot (6-quart)
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Can opener
• Ladle for serving

H2: Ingredients for Turkey and White Bean Sweet Potato Chili

For the Chili Base:

• 1.5 pounds lean ground turkey (93% lean)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (1-inch pieces)

Beans and Tomatoes:

• 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf

For Serving:

• Sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional)
• Shredded cheese (optional)
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Green onions, sliced
• Lime wedges
• Tortilla chips or cornbread

H2: Directions for Turkey and White Bean Sweet Potato Chili

1. Prepare ingredients by dicing onions and bell peppers, mincing garlic, and cubing sweet potatoes into uniform 1-inch pieces for even cooking.
2. Brown the turkey by heating olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey, breaking it into crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-8 minutes until no longer pink and lightly browned. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Sauté aromatics by adding diced onion and bell peppers to the pot with the turkey. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
4. Add seasonings by stirring in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to toast the spices and enhance their flavors.
5. Build the chili base by adding cubed sweet potatoes, drained white beans, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with juice, and chicken broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Add bay leaf.
6. Simmer the chili by bringing the mixture to a boil, then reducing heat to medium-low. Cover partially and simmer for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sweet potatoes are fork-tender and flavors have melded together.
7. Adjust seasoning by tasting and adding more salt, pepper, or chili powder as needed. Remove bay leaf before serving.
8. Serve hot by ladling chili into bowls and topping with your favorite garnishes: sour cream, shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, green onions, and a squeeze of lime. Serve with tortilla chips or warm cornbread on the side.

H2: Tips and Variations for Turkey and White Bean Sweet Potato Chili

Chef Emma’s Pro Tips:

• Cut sweet potatoes into uniform 1-inch cubes so they cook evenly.
• Don’t skip toasting the spices—this step deepens flavor significantly.
• For thicker chili, mash some of the white beans against the side of the pot.
• Make a double batch and freeze half for easy future meals.
• Let chili rest for 10 minutes before serving for best flavor development.

Delicious Variations:

• Extra fiber boost: Add 1 cup cooked quinoa or bulgur wheat in the last 10 minutes.
• Spicier version: Add diced jalapeños or increase cayenne pepper to 1 teaspoon.
• Smoky depth: Add 1 teaspoon chipotle powder or 1 diced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce.
• Vegetarian option: Replace turkey with 1 additional can of beans and 1 cup chopped mushrooms.
• Slow cooker method: Brown turkey and sauté aromatics first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker for 6-8 hours on low.

Make-Ahead Options:

• Prep and dice all vegetables up to 2 days ahead and store in the refrigerator.
• Cook the entire chili up to 3 days ahead—the flavor improves with time!
• Freeze cooked chili in portions for up to 3 months.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop.

Storage Notes:

• Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of broth if needed.
• Freeze in individual portions for quick lunches.
• The chili may thicken when refrigerated—simply add more broth when reheating.

H2: Nutrition Facts in Turkey and White Bean Sweet Potato Chili

H3: Nutritional Highlights

This Turkey and White Bean Sweet Potato Chili is a nutritional powerhouse. It delivers an impressive 11 grams of dietary fiber per serving—nearly half of your daily requirement!

The combination of white beans and sweet potatoes creates a fiber-rich base that supports digestive health, helps regulate blood sugar, and keeps you feeling full and satisfied for hours.

With 26 grams of lean protein from turkey and beans, this chili provides essential amino acids for muscle maintenance and repair. The sweet potatoes also contribute an astounding 185% of your daily vitamin A needs, supporting eye health, immune function, and skin health.

H3: Dietitian Tips for Turkey and White Bean Sweet Potato Chili

As a home cooking expert, I love how this high-fiber chili exemplifies balanced nutrition without sacrificing flavor. The lean ground turkey provides high-quality protein while keeping saturated fat low, making this heart-healthy comfort food.

White beans offer resistant starch and soluble fiber that feed beneficial gut bacteria and support cardiovascular health. The combination of protein and fiber creates exceptional satiety, helping with weight management and preventing energy crashes.

To reduce sodium further, use no-salt-added canned tomatoes and beans, and adjust salt to taste at the end. For a dairy-free version, simply skip the cheese and sour cream toppings, or use your favorite plant-based alternatives.

H2: FAQs

Q1: Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey?
Absolutely! Ground chicken works perfectly as a substitute for turkey. Choose 93% lean for a similar flavor and texture. The cooking time and method remain exactly the same.

Q2: What if I don’t have white beans?
Great northern beans or cannellini beans work best, but you can substitute with chickpeas, pinto beans, or even kidney beans. Each will add a slightly different texture and flavor, but all will taste delicious.

Q3: How do I prevent sweet potatoes from getting mushy?
Cut sweet potatoes into uniform 1-inch cubes and don’t overcook—they should be fork-tender but still hold their shape. Check them at the 25-minute mark and adjust the cooking time based on your preference.

Q4: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes! Brown the turkey and sauté the aromatics in a skillet first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the sweet potatoes are tender.

Q5: Is this chili freezer-friendly?
Very! This chili freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Cool it completely, then freeze in portion-sized containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop.

Q6: What’s the best way to thicken this chili?
If your chili is too thin, simmer it uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes to reduce the liquid. Alternatively, you can mash some of the beans and sweet potatoes against the side of the pot or add a cornstarch slurry. For more one-pot wonders, visit our Thanksgiving Sides & One-Pot Dinners collection.

H2: Conclusion

This Turkey and White Bean Sweet Potato Chili proves that healthy, high-fiber meals can be absolutely delicious and satisfying. It’s become one of our family’s most-requested dinners, especially during cooler months when we crave something warm and comforting.

The combination of lean protein, fiber-rich beans, and naturally sweet potatoes creates a balanced meal that nourishes your body while delighting your taste buds.

Whether you’re focused on increasing your fiber intake, looking for budget-friendly high-protein dinners, or simply want a delicious one-pot meal that the whole family will love, this chili delivers on every front.

The leftovers taste even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep and busy weeknights. For more wholesome family recipes and comfort food favorites, explore our complete collection at FamillyRecipes.com. Happy cooking! 💕

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