Sweet Potato Lentil Chili [vegan + gluten-free]

4 weeks ago 17

A hearty mix of legumes, vegetables, and sweet potato will be the perfect vegan comfort food for any occasion. Slightly sweet and slightly smoky, this Sweet Potato Lentil Chili bursts with flavor and amazing texture. A well-balanced, healthy meal with all the nutrients you need in one delicious bowl. Throw the ingredients in your slow cooker, and be prepared for your house to smell like chili heaven!

The one problem with being a food lover and a wannabe chef is that I always get ideas for new recipes and kitchen creations. This is great for blogging content, but it doesn’t leave me a lot of time to revisit old recipes.

I’ve been blogging for over 10 years now, so a lot of staples and favorites I shared in the first few years of my blog have certainly gotten neglected. I am pretty embarrassed by some of those older posts, writing, AND picture-wise (I’d like to think I’ve improved a lot since then! 😉 ), but the recipes are definitely winners! Plus, a lot of you who have only recently started reading Healthy Helper have probably never even seen them.

So I’ve decided to start rolling out ‘re-dos’ of some of my favorite recipes I’ve shared on the blog! Not only does this give me the chance to revamp them and update them for you guys, but I also get to bring some of my favorite meals back into my life. Out of the ones I’ve made so far, I am quickly being reminded why I created these recipes originally. Point blank: THEY ARE GOOD.

Vegan Comfort Food at its FINEST

Today, I am sharing one of my all-time go-to comfort food meals. It’s perfect for this time of year as it’s definitely slow-cooker season and gives you that stick-to-your-ribs feeling that a hot, hearty chili always does.

This chili is pretty special because it’s sweet AND savory. Yes, it includes the traditional spices like chili powder and cumin, but I also add cinnamon and sweet, sweet, sweet potatoes to give it a nice counterbalance to the spicy smokiness.

Vegan Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Lentil Chili

Grab the recipe below and get to cookin’! I think this chili recipe will become a cold-weather staple for you. 🙂

Sweet Potato Lentil Chili [vegan + gluten-free]

Author: Kaila Proulx
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 5 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: chili
Diet: Vegan

1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into small cubes

1 yam, peeled and cut into small cubes

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 bunch of kale, chopped

2 stalks of celery, chopped

1 large carrot, chopped

1 green pepper, diced

1 red pepper, diced

1 large white onion, chopped

1 cup of mushrooms, chopped

1 small zucchini, chopped

1 32 oz container of veggie broth (low sodium, if possible)

1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes

1 16 oz can no salt added diced tomatoes

1 can of tomato paste (no salt added, if possible)

1 cup split red lentils

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp nutmeg

1 tsp thyme

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp basil

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp smoked paprika

½ tsp cayenne pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Microwave cubed sweet potato and yam on high for 2-3 minutes. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker, with spices last. Mix well. Cover the return the lid to the slow cooker and cook chili on high for 4-6 hours (stir every hour or so). Serve hot with your choice of toppings (salsa, greek yogurt, shredded cheese, extra cilantro, Fritos…whatever you like!).

Sweet Potato Lentil Chili [vegan + gluten-free]

Packed to the brim with veggies, this chili is bursting with vitamins and minerals! It goes beyond the traditional chili ingredients and has lots of plant-based protein from lentils and beans. The sweet potatoes and yams add a great source of complex carbs, so you have a balanced meal all in one bowl. Or two! 😉

This chili recipe is certainly a favorite in my house, and I’ve made it for several holiday gatherings to share with my family. Nothing but rave reviews have resulted!

Definitely give this a go if you’re looking for a healthy twist on classic chili! This has all the flavor with a lot more nutrients to offer you.

Do you ever revisit old favorite recipes?

What’s your favorite fall/winter meal?

What’s your MUST have chili ingredient?

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98 responses to “Sweet Potato Lentil Chili [vegan + gluten-free]”

This is SO MANY ingredients, but it looks so good that I think I’ll have to just go out and get all of them and make it sometime this week. 🙂
- I know it seems overwhelming, but a lot of them are spices! And it’s SO EASY to make! 🙂
  - We don’t use microwaves in my house, what would you recommend we do for the sweet potato? Bake it? Fully? Half?
    - You should be okay with just throwing it in raw…you may just have to cook it for a few more hours to make sure the potatoes are soft!! Or you could lightly blanch them prior to putting in the slow cooker!
there is so much goodness packed into this hearty chili that you don’t even need the meat!
- EXACTLY!!!
I love the recipe redo idea! Sometimes there are those long lost recipes that we the bloggers still adore but no one else even knows about. And this bowl!!! The epitome of cozy right there, I love the sweet and spicy balance 🙂
- YES! You hit the nail on the head…the sweet and spicy flavor is amazing!!
All I’ve been craving since returning from a trip to Asia is chili! This one will have to go on the menu this week 🙂 Gotta love the improvements in food photography – I’ve been slowly updating some of my old recipes too! The old orange pictures make me cringe!
- I hope you enjoy it! And I totally agree…looking back on old posts in general is SO EMBARRASSING!!!
Love this recipe. There are so many good & tasty ingredients in this dish. Your photos are lovely too.
- Thanks friend!
I love black beans and sweet potatoes – never think of putting lentils in place of the black bean in my chili – YUM!!!
- Try it!!! They make for an amazing, thick texture!
Wow, I love seeing so many veggies and so many seasonings! It sounds delicious!
- Thanks Grace!
I can sooooo see why this is a comfort food! And yes, it is defo slow cooker season! I may try this out at some point. #tastytuesdays
- Awesome! Let me know how you like it!
[…] Sweet Potato Lentil Chili by Kaila at Healthy Helper […]
Love that this has ALL of the ingredients I have been trying to eat more of. Bonus that it is made in the slow cooker. Will definitely be making this next week. Thanks for the great recipe!

P.S. I hear you on the pictures thing – I am very slowly improving and already want to go back and change some photos, but that’s a good thing!

P.S.S. So glad I found your blog on What’s Cookin’ Wedneday – in dire need of some healthy recipes right now.
- I am so happy! Let me know how you like it!
Looks yummy! Thanks for sharing on the Healthy Living Link Party.
- Thanks for hosting!
Hey – redos are great for those of us only having started reading your blog a few months ago =) I’ve been considering doing the same myself since I have some great recipes on the blog with kind of crappy pictures ;p

This sounds so good! I have never thought of sweet potatoes of chili – this is like a combo of 2 of my favourite things. And I love the sound of this sweet & savoury dish. And the pictures are gorgeous =)
- Thank you so much Kimmy! I think you’d love this!!
  - ps. thanks so much for sharing this at Healthy Vegan Fridays – I’m pinning & sharing!
Love stews, they are what I believe a comfy food. Perfect for a cold day. Thank you for this amazing recipe.

xx Marta
- I’m glad you like it! Enjoy!
[…] Sweet Potato Lentil Chili […]
Lately I’ve been on a chili kick — making all different kinds. This sounds like one I’d like to try!
- You will love this!
Wow! You’ve been blogging awhile. It is great to find you through Gluten Free Fridays. This recipe is right up my alley, I love the slight smokiness to this dish. And, I can only imagine the inviting smell wafting through your home. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Wow that looks so delicious! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays
- Thanks for hosting!
Hi Kaila,
Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite foods and this recipe sounds absolutely delicious, filled so many good vegetables, spices and so healthy, Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & tweeted!
- You would LOVE this chili!
This looks yummy! I love meatless chili. Thanks for sharing on healthy living link party!
- Hope you enjoy it!!
Some recipes are just worth revisiting! I love anything with sweet potato. #freefromfridays
- Me too! 🙂
This looks great, and so healthy!
- Thanks Bethany!
[…] Vegan Sweet Potato Lentil Chili @ Healthy Helper […]
This looks delicious! I love a good vegetarian chili that doesn’t involve any prep! I’ll have to try this for dinner this week!
- Let me know how you like it!
[…] ten times more flavorful. I usually stick with the traditional slow cooker classics like chili or soup, but recently I was inspired to try something a little different. One thing I’ve […]
Sounds really nice. I’ve never tried a chilli with cinnamon in it, but I’m not adverse to the idea.

Thanks for linking up to #LifeLovingLinkie

Sally @ Life Loving
- It really takes it to the next level!
This looks like a fantastic bowl of Chili, we will love it! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope you have a great week.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
- Thank you dear!
[…] (TOP) Sweet Potato and Lentil Chili – Healthy Helper Blog (BOTTOM) DIY Dinosaur Plank Art and How to Paint Letters on Wood – Simply Beautiful by Angela […]
Chili is such a nice comfort food this time if year! Thanks for sharing this with us at Savoring Saturdays linky party. Hope you’ll join us for the next one.
- Chili season is definitely in full swing!
This looks wonderful! I love a good vegan chili. Thanks so much for sharing it on WNWNW, I’m featuring it this week 🙂
- Awesome! Thank you so much!
Looks very hearty. Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays
- Thank you!
You have been featured on Healthy Living Link Party! Join us again tonight!
- Thanks so much!!
[…] chose Sweet Potato Lentil Chili from Healthy Helper […]
[…] chose Sweet Potato Lentil Chili from Healthy Helper […]
[…] chose Sweet Potato Lentil Chili from Healthy Helper […]
Hi there
Just stopped by to let you know that I featured this on my Round Tuit post this week!
Saturday Spotlight
Thanks again for linking up! Hope you have a great weekend!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
- Thank you so much!!! Going to check it out now!!
I’m loving all the tasty and healthy ingredients here. Delicious.
- Thanks Barbara!
This looks delicious! I love a bowl of chili on a nice cold day. I’ve never had chili with sweet potatoes, but it sounds interesting. I’ve been thinking about going vegan for health reasons, and finding great recipes like this makes me feel like I might be able to do it! Thanks for sharing at Submarine Sunday!
- Sweet potatoes in chili are a STAPLE in my house! So so so good!
[…] Get the recipe from Healthy Helper Blog […]
[…] Sweet Potato Lentil Chili | Healthy Helper […]
[…] Sweet Potato Lentil Chili […]
[…] Any Sweet Potatoes Left? Try Healthy Helper’s Sweet Potato Lentil Chili. Get the Recipe HERE. […]
[…] chose Sweet Potato Lentil Chili from Healthy Helper […]
[…] Sweet Potato Lentil Chili by Healthy Helper Blog […]
[…] Sweet Potato Lentil Chili from Healthy Helper […]
[…] Bean Chili – Girl Makes Food Slow Cooked Vegan Minestrone – The Healthy Helper Blog Sweet Potato and Lentil Chili – The Healthy Helper Blog Join the new Fitness Health and Happiness link-up! […]
[…] you prefer savory or sweet […]
[…] Sweet Potato Lentil Chili via Healthy Helper Blog […]
[…] local farmer markets are stocked with kale, broccoli, apples, cauliflower, carrots, pumpkin, and sweet potato. A healthy, nutrient dense diet is the best defense against sickness of any […]
[…] like chunky soups full of big vegetable pieces and grains, pureed soups that are creamy and thick, and pretty much every type of texture in […]
Love the recipe and would make it without a microwave. I don’t believe foods cooked in them aren’t that good for me. Saw you at we-nspired bloggers on Pinterest. Have a happy day! Nancy Andres
- Thanks for stopping by!
I just love sweet potatoes in chili! It eliminates the need for corn bread or chips and gives the dish such an edge!
- Me too! They make it so hearty and filling!
[…] Tuesday: Sweet potato lentil chili […]
[…] Sweet Potato Lentil Chili – Healthy Helper […]
[…] Sweet Potato Lentil Chili […]
[…] of my FAVORITE meals as a kid was my mom’s homemade chili. A classic meat and bean filled meal full of spices, chili sauce, chopped peppers & onions, and […]
[…] Sweet Potato Lentil Chili – Healthy Helper […]
[…] Sweet Potato Lentil Chili: Looking for a meal that is Vegan & Gluten Free? Check out this amazing recipe from Kaila at […]
Thank you so much for sharing at the Lazy Gastronome’s What’s for Dinner party. Have a fabulous week.
I can’t wait to try this awesome chili, it looks so good! It is featured on Full Plate Thursday, 572 this week. Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen

★★★★★
This certainly looks comforting and satisfying!! Thanks for sharing at the Meatless Monday party. Have a great weekend.
Great recipe. I’ve never have used kale in my vegan chili recipe, but you inspired me.

★★★★★
- So happy you liked it!
this post was deleted from the Meatless Monday link up. Please be sure to read the rules and guidelines. Thanks.
I think I messed up. I’m so sorry!! You shared this at the What’s for Dinner party, not the Meatless Monday. Please accept my apology!!
What a great idea! I need this in my life.

★★★★