This post was sponsored by Whole Foods Market 365. Thank you for supporting brands who support vegukate.

Throughout football season, my husband and I do this thing. We watch our teams (The Steelers for me, and the Bears for him, respectively), shout obnoxiously at the television (so sorry, neighbors!), and make a big batch of chili to enjoy on game day. This chili recipe has been on heavy rotation all throughout football season because it’s cozy, packed with nourishing ingredients, and incredibly easy to make. You basically prep and chop all your ingredients, throw them into a big stockpot, and reap the benefit of a homemade and comforting pot of chili in less than an hour. Plus, it makes enough for leftovers throughout the week (and freezes well), making next Tuesday’s dinner all ready to go. No wonder it’s one of our go-to’s.

What I especially love about this simple Sweet Potato and Double Bean Chili recipe is its arsenal of simple, whole food ingredients – many of which you probably already have in your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. Let’s talk about why each one is so amazing for you, shall we?

Sweet potatoes are one of my go-to veggies. I always have a few in a bowl sitting on my counter and they’re my staple for grain bowls, soups, and even breakfast bowls with cinnamon and yogurt. In this chili recipe, they provide the perfect amount of sweetness and dense healthy carbohydrate goodness that’s necessary in a hearty chili bowl. Sweet potatoes are rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals including fiber, vitamins A and C, manganese, potassium, and vitamin B6, among others. Consumption of sweet potatoes has been clinically shown to stabilize blood sugar (thanks to their healthy complex carbohydrate content), protect eye health (thanks to all that beta-carotene from vitamin A), and even boost brain function, thanks to their high concentration of antioxidant anthocyanins. One of my favorite parts about sweet potatoes? They’re incredibly inexpensive and stay fresh for a longgg time – double win!

Organic grass-fed beef provides ample protein, omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (a polyunsaturated fatty acid that we must obtain from food that’s been shown to prevent certain types of cancers and diabetes), and even precursors to vitamins A and E. Numerous studies have shown that grass-fed beef, as compared to conventionally raised beef, contains much higher levels of the above nutrients. When cows are allowed to graze on pasture (and eat the diet that nature intended them to), it’s better for the animal, the planet, and for us. I love picking up high-quality animal proteins at WFM365; the meat department sources animals raised to rigorous humane standards with no added hormones or antibiotics, ever.

Beans are another affordable diet staple that I always have in my pantry. I love adding cooked beans to salads and grain bowls to boost the protein content, soups and stews for a dose of filing fiber, and even some sweet treats – seriously! In this chili, black beans and kidney beans provide antioxidants, fiber, protein, B vitamins like folate, copper, iron, and manganese. Because of bean’s high fiber content, they help to stabilize blood sugar levels and slow the release of sugar into the bloodstream. This means that adding beans to meals can help to prevent any crazy blood sugar dips and spikes post-eating.

Other ingredient superstars in this Sweet Potato and Double Bean Chili are cilantro (helloooo antioxidants!), bell peppers, red onion, jalapeños for a kick of spice, and flavorful chili powder for an essential boost of flavor. I picked up all my ingredients at my local Whole Foods Market 365 (it’s amazing, inexpensive, and a curated version of Whole Foods, have you been?) where it’s so easy to find simple, clean, and fresh ingredients that I know I can trust. No head to toe label reading; their products are all super wholesome, meaning no artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, sweeteners, and hydrogenated fats.

Made with wholesome ingredients and tons of nourishing flavors, this Sweet Potato and Double Bean Chili is sure to become one of your new favorites.

Sweet Potato and Double Bean Chili

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1 pound ground grass-fed beef
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. chili powder, divided
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. sea salt, plus more to taste
1/2 tsp. black pepper, plus more to taste
1 red onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 orange bell pepper, diced
1 jalapeño, diced (seeds removed)
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and chopped into cubes
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
2 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes with jalapeños and cilantro, with juice
1 1/2 cups organic beef bone broth, or another broth of choice
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped, to serve
2 avocado, diced, to serve

Directions:

1. Add olive oil to a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Stir in ground beef, one tablespoon of chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, sea salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Allow meat to brown for 8-10 minutes, stirring often to break up meat.
2. Carefully remove meat from pot and set aside.
3. To pot add diced onion, garlic, bell peppers, jalapeño, and remaining one tablespoon chili powder. Saute for 5-7 minutes, or until slightly tender.
4. Add sweet potato to pot and stir to coat with spices and oil. Saute for 2 minutes.
5. Add the remainder of the ingredients to the pot: beans, beef broth, tomatoes, and ground beef. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer with lid slightly ajar for 25-30 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are tender. Taste chili and add additional sea salt and pepper, if desired.
6. Divide chili into bowls and garnish with cilantro and avocado. Devour!