Slow Cooker Bean & Oat Chili for Two: Hearty Weeknight Recipe

Slow Cooker Bean and Oat Chili over Sweet Potato

By Kathy Hester

This bean-and-oat chili for two is cooked together with a sweet potato in a 1½–2 quart slow cooker. The slow cooker does most of the work and yields a comforting, nutritious meal.

Cook Time: 8 hrs

Total Time: 8 hrs

Servings: 2 servings

Calories: 324 kcal

Ingredients

For the morning (add to slow cooker in the morning)

• 1 medium sweet potato, unpeeled (if organic)
• 2 cups (475 ml) water
• 1/2 cup (97 g) dry Vaquero or pinto beans
• 1/4 cup (46 g) oat groats (use gluten-free if needed)
• 1/4 cup (33 g) diced carrot
• 1/4 cup (38 g) diced bell pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric

For the evening (add near the end)

• 1 cup (56 g) chopped greens
• 2 tablespoons (32 g) tomato paste
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Please note this recipe is written for a 1½ to 2 quart slow cooker. If you double or triple the recipe for a larger cooker, you may need to increase the liquid slightly.
2. In the morning: Poke holes in the sweet potato with a fork and set aside. Add all the other morning ingredients to the slow cooker and place the sweet potato on top of the mixture. It may sink into the beans — that’s fine. Cook on low for 7 to 9 hours.
3. About 20 minutes before serving: Remove the sweet potato and set it on a plate. Turn the slow cooker to high, stir the chili and add a little water if the mixture looks too dry. Stir in the chopped greens and tomato paste, then return the sweet potato to keep it warm. Cook about 20 minutes, or until the greens are cooked to your liking.
4. Carefully remove the hot sweet potato with tongs, cut it in half, and place each half in a bowl. Taste the chili and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Spoon the chili over the sweet potato halves and serve.
5. Recipe variations: Top the chili with your favorite garnishes such as vegan sour cream, vegan cheese, or hot sauce.
6. If you prefer to skip the final 20-minute step, you can stir the greens and tomato paste in just before serving. The residual heat will wilt the greens; chopping them smaller helps them soften quickly.
7. If you don’t have oat groats, steel-cut oats can be used as a substitute.

Nutrition