This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Forget the reservations…make this sweet potato, black bean, and bacon chili for your sweetie on Valentine’s Day and have a date night IN! Healthy and delicious. Much better (and more convenient!) than eating out! :)
You guys, the show Homeland is ridiculously good. My heart is racing during every show and any weird noises I hear in our house when the suspenseful scenes are on, I totally jump out of my seat and scream. I’m so entranced in the plot and I love how they made it so the audience knows the real story and the CIA is still trying to figure it out. There are so many times I just want to scream at the TV and be like, ‘YOU’RE WRONG!’ haha
I’ve noticed that since Jason and I watch binge on shows in the evenings together instead of staring at our computer screens; it’s actually helped me relax and it’s a really nice way to wind our days down. I know they say that you shouldn’t always be staring at screens but I honestly think you should do what you think is best for you and your family and what helps you guys get to that relaxing point. I know Jason and I don’t read so we wouldn’t sit in the living room with a book, so the next best thing we do (and love to do together) is watch television shows. I still think that’s a nice way to spend time together even though you’re staring at a screen. You still have discussions over what you think is going to happen in the show and all that. At dinner, we turn off all electronics and focus on chatting about our day and figure out life things together. It’s a good balance. I think all this stuff online that dictates what you should do and how you should do it is just so general. I agree that you probably shouldn’t spend 99% of your time on your phone when you’re out for date nights or when your spouse is talking to you or when your children are around, but you also shouldn’t cut it out completely. I’m all about balance and moderation. I’m not good when people tell me what I should do in my life :) they aren’t living it!
So, since we’re on the topic of relaxing and doing things together with your spouse, what are you doing for Valentine’s Day? Jason and I started a tradition where we order take-out and have take-in for dinner. We really could care less about fighting for reservations on Valentine’s Day. A simple card and take-out to recognize the day is good enough for the two of us. And honestly, after a long day at work, the last thing I want to think about is rushing to a restaurant to eat an overpriced Valentine’s Day prix fixed menu.
I came up with this sweet potato, black bean, and bacon chili because well, America’s true love is bacon! 60% of Americans prefer bacon over Valentine’s Day! That’s some love for bacon right there! This chili is super hearty, filling, and extremely flavorful! I think it’s the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner! Serve it alongside some crusty bread and you’ve got yourself a winning meal! Best of all? One-pot! Yessssssss
Sweet Potato, Black Bean, and Bacon Chili
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 ounce (284 g) applewood smoked thick cut bacon,, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 large sweet potatoes or 4 cups peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
- 15.5 ounce (439 g) can of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 15.5 ounce (439 g) can of light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 14.5 ounce (411 g) can of diced fire roasted tomatoes, undrained
- 10 ounce (284 g) can of diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
- 1 ¼ cups (296 ml) water
- Green scallions, for garnish
Instructions
- In a 5.5 quart dutch oven, cook bacon until crispy then place on a plate lined with a couple of sheets of paper towels and let drain.10 ounce (284 g) applewood smoked thick cut bacon,
- Using the bacon fat, over medium high heat, sauté onions, green bell pepper, and garlic, until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. Sprinkle ground cumin, chipotle powder, salt, and pepper and mix together.1 medium yellow onion, 1 medium green bell pepper, 4 cloves of garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder, Salt and pepper
- Add the sweet potatoes and toss ingredients together.2 large sweet potatoes or 4 cups peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
- Add the black beans, kidney beans, fire roasted tomatoes, diced tomatoes and green chilies, and water. Stir until everything is well-mixed together.15.5 ounce (439 g) can of black beans, 15.5 ounce (439 g) can of light red kidney beans, 14.5 ounce (411 g) can of diced fire roasted tomatoes, 10 ounce (284 g) can of diced tomatoes and green chilies, 1 1/4 cups (296 ml) water
- Bring mixture to a simmer then cover and cook 20-30 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are fork tender and mixture is thickened.
- Serve warm. Top with crispy bacon and scallions (optional)Green scallions
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
I totally binge watched Homeland season 1 & 2 as well. So good! The suspense of everything was killing me. I haven’t started season 3 yet. Have you gotten that far? I’m having a major food crush on sweet potatoes in soups lately. It gives them such great flavor and thickens them nicely too. Can’t wait to try this chili!
Great chili recipe Julie! I bet it made your kitchen smell heavenly! Delish!
I prefer a quiet night, take out or make something as well. This chili sounds wonderful, I wonder if i can throw everything in the slow cooker…
love the addition of sweet potatoes into this chili – looks hearty & delish!
I am the only one not watching Homeland!! But this chili looks awesome!
I promise I won’t give you any teasers for what’s to come since we’re up to date on the show. As for this dish…. uhmmm yes please! Bacon makes everything better :)
Looks so great, Julie!! I love sweet potatoes, but especially in chili!
Love the color of this chili!
This looks so great Julie! I can totally picture me loving this for dinner!!
Love this recipe, Julie! Sweet potatoes and anything Tex-Mex is big with us. Love the addition of the bacon, too. Pinning!