Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili (Paleo + Whole30)

Let’s make Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili! This paleo sweet potato chili recipe is one of our favorites. It tastes even better the next day! (Gluten-Free, Whole30)

Turns out, I’m one of those people who doesn’t save chili for the fall. I’m an all-year-round sort of chili person.

Chili is one of those easy comfort food recipes that can last a few days, and as a busy mom, that’s definitely something I can get behind!

This paleo Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili is a perfect example. It’s been one of our favorite chili recipes since 2015 and have no plans to stop any time soon. It’s got it all!

• It’s Full Of Flavor. It’s a delicious blend of protein, plenty of veggies, tender sweet potatoes, warm spices, and seasonings that all pack this easy dinner recipe with flavor. 
• It’s EASY. Slow cooker anyone? This paleo chili can be made as a “dump and go” recipe if you’re really in a time crunch, so it’s a great recipe for a busy day!
• It’s Cozy. The bold flavors and hearty texture of this healthy chili recipe make it a great option for game day or the colder months of the year. 
• It Gets Better With Time. The leftovers will taste even better than the first day! (Meal prep anyone?) 
• It’s Paleo & Whole30 Friendly. This sweet potato chili is made without beans, so it’s naturally paleo and Whole30 compliant!

And–best of all–all of that goodness is possible with a simple ingredients list! Let’s take a look…

Start With Simple Ingredients!

One thing you’ll LOVE about this paleo chili recipe is how simple the ingredients are. Every ingredient is nourishing, wholesome, and packed with flavor! Let’s take a look

• GROUND BEEF, CHICKEN, OR TURKEY. You can use whatever ground meat you like or have on hand for my sweet potato chili recipe. Ground beef, ground chicken, and ground turkey all work here! (If you’re choosing beef, I recommend lean ground beef so you don’t need to worry about draining the fat.)
• ONION. Onion gives a nice flavor base to this meaty chili. I usually use sweet onions, but most types will work for this recipe!
• SWEET POTATOES. There aren’t any beans in this paleo chili, so we fill it out with vitamin-rich sweet potatoes. It’s a great way to fill out the recipe. The natural sweetness of the sweet potato is perfect with the savory, smoky flavor of this chili! 
• DICED TOMATOES & TOMATO SAUCE. I use a mix of canned diced tomatoes and tomato sauce for my sweet potato chili. I love that you get nice, thick chili with TONS of flavor! (Note: I like fire-roasted tomatoes when I can find them!)
• BROTH. Depending on the meat you choose for your chili, you can add beef, chicken, or vegetable broth. Use what you have on hand or what sounds good. I’ve made it with all 3 with great results!
• GARLIC + SPICES. Lastly, to pump this up with flavor, I use a blend of garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt. I love how the flavor develops over time (it’ll taste even better the next day!

How To Make Sweet Potato Chili, Step By Step

As always, you can find the full recipe, with ingredient amounts, detailed instructions, and tips in the recipe card below!

1. If You Prefer: Brown The Beef. If you’re working with 85/15 beef or 80% lean beef, I recommend browning the meat ahead of time in a large skillet on the stove on medium heat so you can drain the fat from the pan. (If you’re using lean ground beef that’s 90% lean or higher, you can skip this step, if you like. 
2. Combine. Add ground beef to the crock of your slow cooker. Add onion, sweet potatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, garlic, chili powder, salt, cumin, and oregano. Pour the broth over everything and stir to combine.
3. Cover & Cook. Next, cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW 6-8 hours or HIGH 3-4 hours.
4. Finish. Stir to break up the beef a bit and garnish with cilantro. Taste and add additional salt or seasonings, to taste.
5. Serve & Store. Enjoy this chili warm with your favorite toppings or store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge 3-4 days.

CAN I MAKE THIS AS A DUMP-AND-GO RECIPE? I nearly always do! It works great. You just add all the ingredients to the slow cooker, give it a stir, then cover & cook. No fussy prep, no extra steps. Just easy, yummy slow cooker sweet potato chili!

Make It A Meal (Side Dishes & Toppings)

Now that you know how to make this crock pot sweet potato chili, let’s talk about what to serve on the side! (Note: while this sweet potato chili recipe is paleo & whole30, not all of these side dish ideas are paleo/whole30!)

• Chili Toppings. Feel free to serve this with your favorite chili toppings. Classics like sour cream, Greek yogurt, and shredded cheese are delicious, or you can choose from paleo and whole30-approved toppings like diced avocado or green onion.
• Cornbread. Classic gluten-free cornbread, fluffy maple cornbread, or pumpkin cornbread muffins are all delicious!
• Tortilla Chips. Or, you can crunch up some tortilla chips on top!
• A Simple Side Salad. Keep things fresh and classic with our go-to house salad or a simple arugula salad.
• Fresh Fruit. Or, cool your mouth off with some seasonal fruit. Sliced apples, grapes…whatever is in season!

FAQ + Tips For The Best Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili

NEED A SLOW COOKER? This one is programmable (i.e. less likely to overcook things!) and comes with lid clips that keeps the lid in place (awesome when you’re carting it to a potluck, friend’s house, or a chili cook-off!). It’s perfect for this easy recipe!

CAN I MAKE THIS WITH GROUND TURKEY? CHICKEN? PORK? You can use basically any ground meat you like for my paleo sweet potato chili. Over the last 5 years, folks have made it with beef, chicken, turkey, bison, and even venison. I’ve personally only used turkey, chicken, and beef.

CAN I ADD BEANS? You bet! Black beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans are all delicious in this sweet potato chili. (Keep in mind that beans are NOT paleo & whole30)

HOW CAN I GIVE THIS MORE KICK? If you like your chili with more kick, you can use 2 Tbsp. chili powder, 1 1/2 tsp. cumin, 1 tsp. smoked paprika, and 1/4-1/2 tsp. chipotle chili powder instead of the mixture below. Or, you can add 1/2-1 minced jalapeño along with the other ingredients.

DOES SWEET POTATO CHILI FREEZE WELL? I’ve frozen my slow cooker sweet potato chili LOTS of times with good results. The sweet potatoes do soften a bit upon thawing + reheating, but that doesn’t bother me.