Sweet Potato Turkey Chili {Instant Pot}
This cozy Sweet Potato Turkey Chili is one of my all-time favorite weeknight dinners — sweet, spicy, creamy, and hearty in all the best ways. And yes, it comes together in just 30 minutes in the Instant Pot! It’s also freezer-friendly, so you can stash a few servings for those nights when you don’t feel like cooking (we all have those).
This is one of my most popular recipes in the SKS community. Join us and give it a try!
As soon as the weather cools down, I crave big bowls of comfort. Give me chili and a slice of warm homemade cornbread. , and I’m happy.
This recipe hits all the cozy notes without needing hours on the stove. Perfect for non-planners like me who still want a homemade meal that feels special.
If you are using an instant pot or a pressure cooker, this chili will be ready in under an hour.
Note: Don’t skip the stirring! Once, I forgot and ended up with layers of untouched ingredients sitting on top of each other — lesson learned.
Secrets to the Best Instant Pot Turkey Chili
Sweet Potatoes — They add natural sweetness and creaminess that balance the spice. I have tested a few different types of sweet potatoes and have decided that Japanese sweet potatoes are the best for this chili recipe. They tend to hold their forms, not get mushy compared to sweet potatoes.
Cacao Powder — A little unsweetened cacao gives the chili that deep, savory richness. It balances the acidity so well. Think of it as the secret ingredient that makes everyone ask, “What’s in this?!”
My Favorite Toppings for the Sweet Potato Chili
30 minutes later and now the chili is ready. Let’s talk about my favorite part, TOPPINGS!
When it comes to topping off a chili bowl, the sky is the limit. But here are a few of my family’s favorites:
- Full-Fat yogurt: much better than sour cream
- Honey Jalapeno Cornbread Muffin
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Avocado
- Green Onion
- Crusty Bread
- Crackers
What are your favorite toppings? I look forward to you trying this recipe. Let me know how you like it!
Get the recipe:Sweet Potato Turkey Chili
Ingredients
Chili
- 1 lb organic ground turkey
- 1 can of kidney beans
- 1 medium sweet potato
- 2- 3 large carrots
- 1 can diced tomato, 14.5 oz
- 1/2 cup chopped oinion
- 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
- 1/4 cup neutral cooking oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1- 2 cups turkey or chicken stock **
- 1/2 can tomato paste, 6oz (optional) ***
- 1/4 chopped jalapeno, optional *
Seasoning
- 4 tbsp chili powder
- 1/2 tbsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste, about 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1-2 tbsp cacao powder
Instructions
- Start with washing your produce thoroughly.
- Cube the sweet potato, carrots, and bell pepper. Chop the onion. Finely chop the garlic and jalapeno.
- Saute bell pepper, jalapeno, and onion for 5 – 7 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic during the last minute.
- Cook ground turkey in a pan with 2 tbsp of olive oil until completely brown. Break the turkey meat apart into little pieces while browning (you can also do this step in the instant pot using sautte function)
- In a pot (pressure cooker or instant pot if using), combine all vegetables, turkey, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and kidney beans. Add all your spices, including the cacao powder. Add the chicken stock. Stir all the ingredients well.
- Cook in a pressure cooker: seal the top and have the pressure setting on high. Cook for 25 minutes. If you are using a regular pot, let simmer for 1-2 hours until the chili has come together.
- Once it’s done cooking, turn the pressure cooker to "venting" and wait until the pressure is all let out.
- Be creative and top with your favorite toppings. For example avocado, scallion, and full-fat yogurt, and shredded cheese
- Serve with cornbread or your favorite crackers. ENJOY!
Notes
- *If you prefer spicier, keep the seeds of jalapeno (it definitely caught my mouth on fire)
- ** Add more chicken stock if you prefer more “soupy” chili. Vice versa, if you like thick and creamy chili, use a little less chicken stock. You can also add more once the chili is done.
- *** I have recently updated the recipe and making tomato paste optional because my family has preferred it without the tomato paste due to the extra acidity.
The Nutrition Facts above are specific to the ingredients I chose to use for this recipe, which may vary.
If I put it in a crock pot how long should it take?
Hi Marilyn,
If you use a crockpot, you can do 3 hours on high or 5 – 6 hours on low. Stir occasionally to make sure everything is well combined 🙂 Enjoy.
Shuang
When are you supposed to add in the cocoa?
Hi,
You add the cacao powder along with other spices.Enjoy!
Shuang
You state chicken or turkey stock above the recipe but it’s not in the ingredient list. Please confirm. Thanks!
I’m confused where in the recipe the sweet potato is cooked!
Hi there,
The sweet potato will be cooked with the chili. It doesn’t need to be pre-cooked. Does that clarify your questions?
Shuang
How much cacoa powder did you add to the seasoning? I want to try it!
Hi,
You can add 1 heaping tablespoon up to 2 tablespoons of cacao powder. Enjoy!
Best,
Shuang
Cacao powder isn’t included in the Ingredients or instructions. What quantity should I use?
Hi Pamela,
I just updated the recipe card with cacao powder. I usually use 1 heaping tablespoon of it. You can use up to 2 tablespoons if you are adding more liquid. Enjoy!
Shuang
Hi there-
Is this missing how much cocoa powder to add and possibly some water or chicken stock?
Hi there,
I just updated the recipe with cacao powder (which is optional). Chicken stock measurement can also vary per your preference too. Enjoy!
Shuang
okay, so i love the combinations of ingredients and flavors here, but I combined everything only to read at the end that this is intended for an instant pot….which I don’t have. How long to cook on the stove top in a regular pot????????
Hi Kim,
THat’s okay! You can cook on stovetop on low/simmer for 1.5 – 2 hours until the sweet potato gets really soft and tender. Hope it helps. Enjoy!
Shuang
When you say “1 can” of tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, is that a 15oz can or the small 8oz?
Hi there,
Thank the tomato sauce is 6oz can, and the diced tomato is 14.5 oz. I just updated the recipe. Thank you for pointing it out!
Shuang
Our favorite chili recipe, we come back to it over and over again!
Hello,
Do you mean tomato paste instead of tomato sauce?
Hi Kay,
Oh yes thank you for bringing this up. I actually have simplified the recipe and made the tomato paste optional (I haven’t been using the paste in mine lately because my family finds it too acidic with the paste). Updated the recipe card! Thank you! Hope you love it
Best,
Shuang
Our favourite chili recipe that we’ve tried! Very flavourful and packed with tons of veggies! I didn’t have any cacao but will definitely try some next time! Super convenient and quick to make in the instant pot! I was just wondering if we can sauté the ground turkey directly in the instant pot instead of separately on the stovetop?
Hi Beinda,
I am so happy to hear that!! yes absolutely you can!! I will actually add this advice in the recipe card to make other readers’ lives easier too. Thank you!!!
Shuang