(Lou-Approved, Ruby-Obsessed)
I didn’t originally plan to make chili.
I wanted to make chili — but with a very specific goal in mind: win over Lou, who is famously not a chili guy… but is a huge sweet potato fan. My hope was that the sweet potatoes would soften the whole situation and turn this into a “maybe chili isn’t so bad” moment.
It worked. ✔️
This one officially earned Lou’s stamp of approval.
But the real win? Ruby.
She asked for thirds, which basically makes her the number-one fan in this house 🥹
Why I Love Chili (Especially This One)
One of the reasons I love chili is that you don’t really have to plan to make it. Other than the ground turkey, everything else is basically a pantry staple. It’s forgiving, cozy, freezer-friendly, and perfect for feeding a family without overthinking dinner.
This version is:
High-protein
Naturally gluten-free
Mild enough for kids (but easy to spice up)
Perfect for the crock pot
Even better the next day
Crock Pot Turkey, Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili
Ingredients
2 lbs lean ground turkey (93/7)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, diced 1.5 Tableapoon garlic puree (or ~2½ tsp garlic powder)
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced small
1 (15 oz) can black beans
1 (15 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
2 cups chicken bone broth (extra protein + flavor)
Spices
2 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp smoked paprika
¾ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp dried oregano
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Sauté (optional but recommended): Set crock pot to sauté. Add olive oil and brown the ground turkey. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened.
Bloom the spices: Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cinnamon, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
Build the chili: Add sweet potatoes, black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and bone broth. Stir well.
Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
How We Serve It
My bowl was topped with:
Chopped onion
Fresh cilantro
Greek yogurt (for a creamy protein boost)
Hot sauce
Siete puffs for scooping (highly recommend)
Estimated Macros (per serving)
Makes ~8 servings
Calories: ~330
Protein: ~32g
Carbohydrates: ~30g
Fat: ~8g
Fiber: ~8g
Macros are estimates and will vary based on specific brands and toppings.
Meal Prep & Freezer Notes
Keeps 4–5 days in the fridge Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Reheat with a splash of broth to loosen it up
This is one of those meals that feels like a win on all fronts: nourishing, easy, cozy, and family-approved. If you try it, let me know — especially if your house ends up with a Ruby-level fan too 💛
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