• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Mom's Dinner
  • Home
  • All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
    • All Instant Pot Recipes
    • Instant Pot Soup
    • Instant Pot Beef
    • Instant Pot Chicken
    • Instant Pot Pork
    • Instant Pot Turkey
    • Instant Pot Pasta
    • Instant Pot Vegetarian
  • Dinner
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Turkey
    • Fish & Seafood
    • Mexican
    • Pasta
    • Vegetarian
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Dinner
  • Podcast
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • Instant Pot
    • Dinner
    • Podcast
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    You are here: Home / Recipes / Instant Pot

    Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili (Instant Pot)

    Published: Mar 19, 2019 · Modified: Feb 25, 2022 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links. 10 Comments

    • Share
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe
    Sweet Potato Chili Pinterest Image
    Instant Pot Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili Pinterest Image

    Instant Pot Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili is such a flavorful and unique chili recipe that you will not even miss the beef. Bonus- it is cooks in just 5 minutes, such a great benefit of the Instant Pot! That is so much better than an hour or two on your stovetop, right?!  

    Instant Pot Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili in blue bowl garnished with cilantro and jalapenos

    This quinoa chili has the perfect combo of flavors, it is a little sweet from the sweet potatoes, and balanced with savory onions, garlic and peppers, then the chili powder adds a nice warmth that you expect from chili. All-in-all the flavors are completely balanced, no one flavor overpowers the other.

    You can make this Instant Pot Chili ahead if you have a busy week you are prepping for. You can make it on a day when you have a little more time to spend in the kitchen, then store it in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 5 days. The flavors will deepen with time in your fridge! When you reheat it you may need to add a little water or broth as it will thicken as it sits in the fridge.

    Make Your Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili Vegetarian

    I know a lot of Sweet Potato Chili recipes available are vegetarian. This one is not, but you certainly can make it that way! Simply swap the beef broth for your favorite vegetable broth.

    Add Meat to Your Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili

    Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili being ladeled out of the Instant Pot

    This Instant Pot Chili recipe doesn’t include any meat, like a classic chili recipe. However, you can definitely add meat if that is what you are looking for! I recommend choosing a ground turkey (93/7), ground chicken, or ground beef (85/15) to compliment the flavors in this sweet potato chili recipe.

    When you saute the onions, celery, and garlic, add the protein of your choice and crumble while it cooks for about 5 minutes. Drain any excess grease and then proceed with the recipe. You may want to add a cup of water and and additional ½ teaspoon chili powder to the recipe to accommodate the extra ingredients.

    How to Make Instant Pot Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili

    Start by setting your Instant Pot to saute, once it reads HOT, add the oil, onions, celery and garlic and soften for about 5 minutes. Stir in the can of green chilies and all the seasonings (chili powder, oregano, cumin, salt, garlic & onion powder). Now, turn the saute function off.

    Next add in the sweet potatoes, quinoa, beef broth, and chopped bell pepper. Stir it once, then pop the lid on and lock the pressure valve to “seal”. Set the Instant Pot to Soup mode or pressure mode, on high, for 5 minutes.

    Sweet Potatoes, Quinoa, and spices in the Instant Pot

    Do a quick release by turning the pressure valve to “vent” at the end of the 5 minutes.

    Add the diced tomatoes (undrained), chili beans in sauce, frozen corn, and 1 tablespoon of honey. Give it a good stir and let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving. This give the beans and tomatoes a chance to warm thru and the honey to melt into the soup. It will also allow the soup to cool enough so it doesn’t burn your mouth!!

    A bowl of quinoa sweet potato chili garnished with a jalapeno and cilantro

    Chili Topping Ideas

    You can top this chili just like you would top a classic chili. Here are some of our favorites:

    • Cilantro
    • Fritos
    • Avocado
    • Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt
    • Shredded Cheese
    • Jalapenos
    • Tabasco
    • Red pepper flakes
    • Chopped Bell Peppers
    • Chopped Green Onions

    What to Serve with Instant Pot Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili

    If you plan to have this for dinner here are a few things that go PERFECTLY with quinoa sweet potato chili

    • Cornbread
    • Saltine crackers
    • Raw veggie plate and ranch dip
    • Indulgent Cinnamon Buns
    • Fritos
    • Tortilla Chips
    • Green Lettuce Salad

    Perfect Dessert for Chili

    • Scotcheroos
    • Apple Pie Bars
    • Chocolate Cake with Pour-On Chocolate Frosting
    • Grandma’s Carrot Cake

    I hope you give this recipe a try in your kitchen!

    Love- Susie

    Two bowls of Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili and an Instant Pot in the background
    Instant Pot Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili Pinterest Image
    Sweet Potato Chili Pinterest Image

    Instant Pot Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili Recipe

    Two bowls of Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili and an Instant Pot in the background

    Instant Pot Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili

    An amazing Instant Pot Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili Recipe with balanced flavors of sweet, savory, and spicy. This is a great unique chili recipe to add to your weeknight dinner plans.
    This Instant Pot Chili can be made ahead, made vegetarian, or you can add meat!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Resting Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Author: Susie Weinrich

    Ingredients

    • 1 T olive oil
    • 1 yellow onion, diced
    • 3 plump garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 celery rib, chopped
    • 1 bell pepper, diced any color (could also use a poblano pepper)
    • 1 4oz can diced green chilies
    • 1 T + 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 2 teaspoon cumin
    • 1 teaspoon oregano
    • ½ teaspoon each: garlic powder & onion powder
    • pinch of ground clove a little goes a long way!!
    • ½ cup dried quinoa
    • 3 cups peeled and diced sweet potatoes about a ½-1 inch dice
    • 32 oz beef broth
    • 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (DO NOT drain)
    • 15.5 oz can chili beans in sauce
    • 1 cup frozen corn
    • 1 T honey
    • ¼ cup chopped cilantro **optional
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you are cooking!

    Instructions

    • Turn the Instant Pot on to saute mode, once it reads HOT, add the oil, onions, garlic, and celery and soften for about 5 minutes. Stir in the green chilies and chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic, onion powder, salt, and clove.
      Turn saute mode off.
    • Stir in the beef broth, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and quinoa. Close the lid and lock the pressure valve to “seal”, set the pot to soup mode or pressure mode, on high, for 5 minutes.
      Do a quick release of pressure.
    • Stir in the diced tomatoes, chili beans, corn, and honey. Let those added ingredients warm thru for about 5 minutes.
      Serve!

    Toppings for Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili

    • Cilantro, Fritos, Avocado, Sour Cream, Plain Greek Yogurt, Shredded Cheese, Jalapenos, Tabasco, Red Pepper Flakes, Chopped Bell Peppers, Chopped Green Onions

    Notes:

    To Make Ahead: Prepare completely and store in the fridge, in an airtight container for up to 5 days. 
    To Reheat: Warm through in the microwave or on the stovetop. You may need to add a little broth or water, as it will thicken as it sits in the fridge.
    To Make Vegetarian: Simply swap the beef broth for vegetable broth.
    To Add Meat: You can add ground turkey (93/7), ground beef (85/15), or ground chicken. After sauteing the onions, garlic, and celery, add your preferred protein and cook for 5 minutes (crumbling while cooking), drain any excess fat/grease, then continue with the recipe as written. Add an additional ½ teaspoon of chili powder to flavor the additional ingredient. You may also need to add a ½-1 cup of water or broth at the end, depending how thick/thin you like your chili.
    Did you try this recipe? Connect with me & let me know how it turned out by commenting below!
    Jump to Comments

    If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.

    More Mom's Dinner Recipes to Love

    • Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta
    • Five Star Instant Pot Swedish Meatballs
    • Amazing Instant Pot Italian Meatballs
    • Instant Pot Beef and Noodles
    • Share
    • Email

    About Susie Weinrich

    Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      We would love to have you comment & rate the recipe! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Karla U.

      February 21, 2021 at 11:08 am

      5stars: my new favorite. I leave out the oil and use vegetarian beans or just black beans. Simply delicious!

      Reply
    2. Janelle

      October 01, 2019 at 8:20 am

      This recipe sounds amazing!! I’m new to the IP life….If you wanted to add meat to this recipe, when would you add it, and how (if at all) would that change the cook time/setting, etc? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Susie

        October 01, 2019 at 12:19 pm

        Welcome to the wonderful world of Instant Pot!!!!!! It’s so amazing. If you add ground beef or ground turkey, just saute the protein first for about 5 minutes, then set aside and saute the veggies. Then add the protein back and move on with the recipe as written.
        Let me know if there is another protein that you are considering and I can help you with times!

        Reply
    3. John

      March 26, 2019 at 8:24 am

      5 stars
      I was skeptical upon hearing the name of this recipe but I am now a believer! This chili has a kick! Fresh jalapenos are a perfect topper!

      Reply
    4. Anna Kate Goshko

      March 20, 2019 at 10:34 am

      5 stars
      In five minutes?! That’s what dinner dreams are made of. 🙂 I love that you can add meat or leave it vegetarian. Will definitely hit our meal rotation this week!

      Reply
      • Susie

        March 22, 2019 at 7:23 am

        Awesome! You are going to love this.

        Reply
    5. Tawnie Kroll

      March 20, 2019 at 10:06 am

      5 stars
      I love that you added in honey too! Cant wait to try this one! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Susie

        March 22, 2019 at 7:22 am

        It just needed something at the end to balance everything, honey did the trick!

        Reply
      • Stefanie

        May 03, 2022 at 6:30 pm

        This is SO good!! The combination of flavors is delicious! The only thing is I feel like it needs more quinoa (could be just that I like more—we like meaty chili, too)…would it mess things up to add 1 cup quinoa vs. half a cup?

        Reply
        • Susie Weinrich

          May 04, 2022 at 9:04 am

          I think that would work! If it’s too “casserole like” after cooking you can always pour in a little more broth.

    Primary Sidebar

    susie in the kitchen with a camera and a board of food

    Hi, I’m Susie, the Mom at Mom’s Dinner! Here you will find simple dinner recipes (and more) that are made with easy to find ingredients. Read More…

    NEED QUICK DINNER IDEAS? CHECK OUT THE PODCAST!

    mom's dinner featured in these places, buzzfeed, foodgawker, food yub, fridgg

    Helpful Meal Resources

    • Easy Meals for House Guests
    • 30 Easy Meals for a Large Group on Vacation
    • 30+ Sunday Family Dinner Ideas (by season!)

    New Recipes

    • Four Great Ways to Cook Haricot Verts
    • Red Enchilada Sauce Recipe
    • Cinnamon Toast Crunch Drink
    • Softest Peanut Butter Crinkle Cookies
    • RumChata Root Beer Cocktail
    • Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats

    Cozy Soup Season

    • Beef Stew with Red Wine
    • Creamy Red Potato Soup
    • Instant Pot Beef & Barley Stew
    • Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Chili
    • Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup
    • Damn Good Instant Pot Chili
    All Soup Recipes

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Susie Weinrich
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter & Contact

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Contact Me!

    Recipes

    • Recipe By Category
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes

    Copyright © 2022 Mom's Dinner