little lentils require gentle little hands for this crock pot sweet potato lentil chili.
My daughter who we’ll call, “Mini Me” assisted in the kitchen over the weekend as per our routine. My aspiring pastry chef loves all things food and leveling. 🙂
Having her in the kitchen is always a treat and a clever way to teach her about food preparation, ingredients, cooking, baking, and fractions!
Now that Fall is officially on the calendar, it’s time to slow things down, break out the crock pot to prepare for some serious low level, let it do its own thing kind of cooking. Â Are you ready?
First up, L is for Lentils.
The lentil is an ancient staple that’s absurdly versatile, cheap, and fits perfectly in our busy lives. Loaded with B-complex vitamins, iron, and other minerals making this beanie bean a nutritional winner in our household. With that in mind, let’s get crockin’! Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 
Lately, I’ve noticed a surge in sweet potatoes at the farmer’s market (duh, sweet potatoes are in season-HELLO!!!), and I couldn’t resist + we’ve had several nights of cool temperatures that required the comforting filling of these orange-fleshed, chunky potatoes.
First, pull your crock pot from the shelf, if you’re like me, you have way more than you should publicly admit. I have 5!! Shhhhhhh!!!!
Second, add all ingredients to a 5-quart crock pot. Stir in 1 cup of water more may be needed later. Cover and cook.
Next, if cooking on LOW for 4-5 hours, after 2 hours stir in sweet potatoes. If you desire a longer cooking option on HIGH for 6-7 hours, add in sweet potatoes after 3 hours.
Then, stir in lemon juice 1 hour before serving. On the lemon note, a hint of lemon will offset the rich cumin flavor it’s totally optional, but I highly recommended it.
Once done, the lentils will have a murky brownish, orangey color going on, like fall! 
Serve with toasted gluten-free brown rice tortillas,
Or just dig in with a spoon. Enjoy!
How To Prepare Crock pot sweet potato lentil chili
- 2 cups of green lentils, rinsed and drained (I used GOYA brand)
- 4 cups of vegetable broth
- 3 fresh basil leaves
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon vegetable flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup of chopped celery
- 1 cup of red onions chopped
- 2½ cups of cubed sweet potatoes (skin on)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Add all ingredients to a 5-quart crockpot. Stir in 1 cup of water. Cover and cook.
- If cooking on LOW for 4-5 hours, after 2 hours stir in sweet potatoes. If cooking on HIGH for 6-7 hours, add in sweet potatoes after 3 hours.
- Stir in lemon juice 1 hour before serving.
- Serve with toasted Gluten-free brown rice tortillas or serve over brown rice, eat with naan bread-the choice is yours. Enjoy!
Prefer adding a topping? You can a dollop of guacamole or sour cream, cilantro, cheddar cheese, add whatever your little heart desires. Enjoy! 🙂
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10 Comments
Natosha M
This looks delicious Tonya!! Ok, you got me I’m breaking out my crockpot! 🙂
Tonya
Yeah!! Hail to the crockpot! Thanks Natosha! 🙂
Aida@TheCraftingFoodie
Tonya, this looks so good!! I’m a huge fan of lentils, and since my family is from India and Pakistan, we eat tons of lentils – brown ones, orange ones, yellow ones, cream ones, green ones. You name it, I’ve eaten it, and I LOVE them all. This stew looks so good. Perfect for a chilly fall day!
Tonya
We love the humble little lentil! I think we’ve tried every variety known to man. 🙂 Thanks Aida!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats
Mini Me’s make things so much more fun and interesting in the kitchen! Love this slow cooker option for a delicious dinner!
Tonya
They make our cooking experience so much more enjoyable. Thanks Julie!
Mira
I love lentils and it is time to cook some! These look so delicious! Love that it is cooked in a crockpot!
Tonya
Yep! Love the crockpot!
Celeste @TheWholeServing
Looks like Fall. Pinned for later.
Thanks
Tonya
Indeed it is my friend! Thanks for pinning!