Easy Healthy Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili (Plant-Based Comfort)

For a digital entrepreneur managing high-performance food platforms, a high-fiber “reset” meal is a professional-grade necessity for a well-rounded content strategy. This chili replaces heavy fats with complex carbohydrates and plant-based protein. From an expertise (E-E-A-T) perspective, the secret to a professional-grade meatless chili is the “Starch-Thickening Technique.” By allowing the sweet potatoes to soften slightly and mashing a small portion into the broth, you create a “Gold Standard” richness and body without the need for refined flours or heavy creams.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 15 Min
• Cook Time: 25 Min
• Total Time: 40 Min
• Yield: 4 Servings
• Calories: 235 kcal per serving

Ingredients:

The Foundation

• 2 medium Sweet Potatoes, peeled and diced (1/2-inch cubes)
• 2 cans (15 oz each) Black Beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (14 oz) Diced Tomatoes (No salt added)
• 2 cups Low-Sodium Vegetable Broth

The “Gold Standard” Aromatics

• 1 small Yellow Onion, diced
• 1 Bell Pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Avocado Oil

The Spice Blend

• 1 tbsp Chili Powder
• 1 tsp Ground Cumin
• 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
• 1/2 tsp Salt & 1/4 tsp Black Pepper

Preparation Steps:

1. The Professional Sauté

1. Heat avocado oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Sauté onion and bell pepper for 5 minutes until translucent. This builds the foundational aromatic base required for a complex flavor profile.

2. The Spice Bloom

3. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika.
4. Technique: Stir constantly for 60 seconds. This professional-grade step “blooms” the spices, using the oil to release essential oils and toasted notes before the liquid is added.

3. The Sweet Potato Simmer

5. Stir in sweet potato cubes, diced tomatoes (with juice), and vegetable broth.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
7. The 20-Minute Rule: Cover and simmer for 15–20 minutes until the sweet potatoes reach “Gold Standard” fork-tenderness.

4. The Bean Fusion

8. Add black beans to the pot.
9. Simmer for 5 minutes uncovered. This allows the beans to warm through while the broth reduces slightly to a professional-grade consistency. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Expert Tips:

• The “Creamy” Secret: For a thicker, more luxurious texture, use the back of a spoon to smash 5–6 sweet potato cubes against the side of the pot and stir them back in. The natural starch will emulsify with the broth for a professional finish.
• Avoid the “Mush”: Precision dicing is key. If sweet potatoes are cut smaller than 1/2 inch, they will disintegrate into a purée rather than maintaining their “Gold Standard” structural integrity during the simmer.