
Sweet Potato Chili with Chickpeas
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This sweet potato chili is loaded with tender sweet potatoes and hardy chickpeas. We love this delicious chili recipe as it’s easy to make and is always a hit at the dinner table.

I first made this sweet potato chili years ago on a camping trip, and it’s been in heavy rotation ever since. We love a good vegan chili, and this veggie-packed version always hits the spot—it’s filling, cozy, and leaves you feeling great.
This sweet potato chili is awesomely delicious and incredibly easy to make. Tender chunks of sweet potato add just the right touch of sweetness, while carrots, celery, bell peppers, and corn turn it into a big, beautiful bowl of veggies. It keeps well for days and somehow tastes even better over time, making it perfect for meal prep. Enjoy it as-is or top it with avocado, red onion, or corn chips—or go rogue and add something indulgent on top (like my maple-glazed pork belly, as my good friend Michael once did). No matter how you serve it, this chili won’t disappoint.


What to serve with sweet potato chili
This is a one-pot dinner recipe that can easily be eaten and loved all by itself. But we love it even more with a thick slice of well-buttered Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread. Or if we’re pulling out all the stops, we’ll make a batch of our Cheesy Chili Zucchini Cornbread Muffins with Chili Honey Butter. If you have some spare time on your hands, I highly recommend that you try that recipe!
Our favorite chili toppings:
- Grated cheese
- Corn chips
- Green onions
- Diced avocado

Sweet Potato Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion (minced)
- 2 medium sweet potatoes (diced)
- 2 medium carrots (diced)
- 2 stalks celery (diced)
- 2 bell peppers (diced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¼ cup chili powder
- 2 teaspoons EACH: oregano and cumin
- 10 drops liquid smoke (see notes)
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 3 cups vegetable stock or water
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar (can sub honey or maple syrup)
- 2 15-ounce cans of chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- 2 cups frozen corn
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and let it cook for 5 minutes. Chop the sweet potatoes, carrots, celery, peppers, and garlic and add them to the pot as you finish cutting them.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 large onion, 2 medium sweet potatoes, 2 medium carrots, 2 stalks celery, 2 bell peppers, 4 cloves garlic
- Add the chili powder, oregano, cumin, and liquid smoke and mix well. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stock. Add the coconut sugar and bring the pot to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.¼ cup chili powder, 2 teaspoons EACH: oregano and cumin, 10 drops liquid smoke, 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes, 2 tablespoons coconut sugar, 3 cups vegetable stock or water
- Add the chickpeas and corn to the pot and let them warm. Season to taste with salt and pepper.2 15-ounce cans of chickpeas, 2 cups frozen corn
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
More vegan chili recipes
For more inspiration, check out all of our chili recipes!

I just want to say… Thank you. The “Easy” recipes I find never end up easy, and the “Quick” 15min ones take me a whole hour, but this recipe is straightforward. The timing was reflective and accurate, the spice levels are honest portions, and I actually DID have everything on-hand!!! I didn’t have to patchwork 8 different recipes! The measurements are the best, though: not awkward or wasteful, and easily halve-able or doubled.
I’m so relieved I found this recipe. Thank you!
This has been my go to chilli recipe for years now. I’ve made it both vegan, as written, or added ground Turkey as a meat option. Both are delicious. It also freezes well and is great to have on hand for quick meals.
This sounds so good and I am excited to make it……one problem. I can not eat tomatoes due to the lactic acid, could you suggest something in its place?
I’ve never even thought to make chili without tomatoes! I’m sure it could be done though. What do you normally use in place of tomatoes when you make chili?
Made this today and it was so flavourful. My hubby and kids loved it. Thanks for a great recipe.
So happy to hear that everyone loved it!
This was so good! We’re not vegan but have been trying to cut down on the amount of meat we eat. Thank you for sharing a recipe that helps us do that. Will make this one again!
So happy to know that you love the recipe as much as we do!
This was delicious! I can’t get liquid smoke here where I live in Montenegro, but I did use a couple chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (I brought a few cans back with me the last time we were in America.) Love your blog!
So happy to hear that you enjoyed the recipe, Karin!
Do you drain the tomatoes and/or chickpeas?
I add the whole can of tomatoes but I drain and rinse the chickpeas. 🙂