This bacon and sweet potato chili is my go-to paleo dinner. The recipe makes a large batch, and it freezes well!
Do you have a really big skillet? If not, you are going to want to go buy one
so you can make this bacon & sweet potato chili right away.
so you can make this bacon & sweet potato chili right away.If you are not convinced that you need a 14-inch skillet, I understand. However, I intend to convince you to make this chili. It’s the best chili I’ve ever had, and it’s a complete and colorful one-pot meal. If you didn’t just go buy a huge skillet and/or don’t need to feed a bunch of people, you can halve the recipe and make it in a normal-sized pan.
Why is this the best chili ever? Well, because bacon. And sweet potatoes. And all the fresh things on top that make this the perfect comfort food to carry you from winter into spring.
This dish is for people like me, who don’t want beans or any tomato products or a lot of excess liquid in their chili. I just need salty bacon, sweet potatoes, some perfectly spiced meat, and what’s basically deconstructed guacamole for a topping. Using half pork and half beef gives the chili even better flavor. It’s amazing right away and it’s even more amazing the next day. My mother agreed that this is the best chili ever, and she is kind of hard to please. I haven’t heard her rave so much about a food I’ve made since this cranberry orange curd tart.
There is kale in this recipe. If you don’t want to put kale in your chili you obviously don’t have to, but I want to tell you that you can barely taste it. It’s just a nice way to sneak in some greens and start feeling a little more springy. I got the idea to put kale in chili from the cookbook Cooking with Coconut Oil, and now I’m hooked. It adds great color and texture, and makes me feel extra healthy when I eat it.
One more reason to make this bacon and sweet potato chili, and to put kale in it? Kale & sweet potato are really good friends. See proof here.
Bacon and Sweet Potato Chili
Yield:
8 servings
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
2 hours
Total Time:
2 hours 10 minutes
This bacon and sweet potato chili is my go-to paleo dinner. The recipe makes a large batch, and it freezes well!
Ingredients
For the chili:
- 6 slices bacon (check out US Wellness Meats
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 lbs. sweet potatoes (2 large), chopped
- 1 lb. ground pork, preferably pastured*
- 1 lb. ground beef, preferably grass-fed*
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh oregano, minced (or 1/4 teaspoon dried)
- 1/4 teaspoon bittersweet smoked paprika (optional)
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne, or to taste
- 1 cup water, plus extra as needed
- 1 small bunch kale, stems removed, roughly chopped (about 3 cups lightly packed), optional
For serving:
- 2 avocados, chopped
- 2 limes, cut into fourths
- 1 red onion, minced (or 1/4 cup sliced scallions)
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Fry the bacon in a very large skillet until crisp, and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels. Pour off all but two tablespoons of fat from the skillet, reserving one tablespoon for later. When the bacon is cool, chop it into bits and set aside.
- Add the onion and sweet potato to the skillet and cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until well-browned, about 15 minutes. Remove to a plate and set aside (don't worry if the sweet potatoes are not yet fully cooked).
- Heat the remaining tablespoon of bacon grease in the pan, and add the ground pork and beef. Cook, stirring frequently and breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon or spatula, until cooked through and no longer pink. Mix the spices and salt in a small bowl, then sprinkle them onto the meat. Add the water and the sweet potatoes and onions, and stir to combine everything well. Reduce the heat so that the chili simmers, and cook for at least 30 minutes, until the sweet potatoes are tender, or for up to 1 hour, adding water as needed if the mixture looks too dry.
- When you are almost ready to eat, stir in the kale, if using, and cook for 10-15 minutes more, or until the greens are wilted and tender. Stir in the chopped bacon, reserving some for serving on top if you like. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
- Serve hot, topped with avocado, cilantro, red onion, and a squeeze of lime.
- This chili will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days and also freezes well, so it's great for making ahead. I defrost single servings of frozen chili in the refrigerator the night before and then heat it in the microwave. If you're reheating a larger quantity, it might be easier to warm the chili on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
Notes
*Looking for a convenient way to get amazing grass-fed meat? ButcherBox delivers curated boxes of grass-fed beef and pastured pork and chicken right to your door. I’m a ButcherBox affiliate because I love their meat and think you will, too! If you’re interested in trying a box, sign up here and they’ll also send you a free pack of paleo bacon.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 570Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 523mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 7gSugar: 8gProtein: 41g
The nutrition label provided is an estimate for informational purposes only and may not be accurate. I am not a nutritionist or medical professional.
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or ButcherBox after clicking one of my links, I receive a small commission (the price you pay is not affected). Thank you so much for supporting my blog!
I bought cubed squash at Costco to substitute the sweet potatoes and spinach instead of kale-they didn’t have sweet potatoes or kale. It should still be delicious, right? I’ll let yo7 know how it turns out !
Squash will definitely work! I prefer the texture of kale in chili but I think spinach would be fine, too.
Sounds delicious! I don’t have a 14″ skillet but I’ve got a big cast iron dutch oven, so I’ll try it in that.
That will work, too! Enjoy!
Since becoming a Paleo/Whole30 family, this chili has become a staple in our home. There is always some in the freezer or on the stove. We love it!
I'm so happy you love it! It's a staple at my place, too. 🙂
I used this to make my first sweet potato chili. Mine turned out amazing and I am so proud of myself. My husband said "they are selling quality
Great! I am so glad you and your husband enjoyed it. Haha, selling quality–that's a good compliment!
The guys at my small group loved it!
Yay, I'm so glad!!
You convinced me that I need a 14" skillet!!! Looks delicious!!
Haha good! I achieved my goal 🙂 Thanks, Betsy!
Bacon and sweet potatoes! What a wonderful combination! Looks so delish.
Thank you, Maria! They do make a great pair.
This was the best chili ever! I love the salty bacon with sweet potatoes … cilantro, avocado & onion … so good!
Yay! I'm so glad you liked it! 🙂