You’ll Want to Marry This Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Black Bean Stew

Picture this: a meal so hearty, so stupidly easy to make, and so packed with flavor that your slow cooker becomes your new best friend. No babysitting, no fancy techniques—just dump, set, and forget. Sweet potatoes and black beans team up like a power couple, while spices do the heavy lifting.

Even your picky eater won’t complain. And the best part? Leftovers taste even better.

If you’re not making this stew, you’re basically leaving happiness on the table.

Why This Recipe Slaps

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Want to Cook Delicious Plant-Based Meals From Scratch But Have No Idea Where To Start?

This stew isn’t just food; it’s a nutritional powerhouse disguised as comfort food. Sweet potatoes bring vitamins, fiber, and natural sweetness, while black beans deliver protein and that satisfying, meaty texture. The spices?

They’re the secret sauce—smoky, warm, and just enough kick. Plus, it’s vegan, gluten-free, and budget-friendly. Basically, it’s the culinary equivalent of a mic drop.

Gather Your Weapons (a.k.a.

Ingredients)

  • 2 large sweet potatoes, diced (no need to peel—we’re lazy gourmets here)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
  • 1 onion, chopped (tears optional)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tbsp pre-mined—we won’t judge)
  • 2 cups vegetable broth (or water in a pinch)
  • 1 tbsp cumin (because life’s too bland without it)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (for that “I know what I’m doing” flavor)
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder (adjust if you’re spice-averse)
  • Salt and pepper to taste (don’t skip this—seasoning is not optional)
  • Fresh cilantro or avocado for garnish (if you’re fancy)

How to Make It (Without Screwing Up)

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  1. Dump everything except the garnish into your slow cooker. Stir like you mean it.
  2. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4. The longer, the better—sweet potatoes should melt in your mouth.
  3. Taste and adjust seasoning.

    Need more salt? More spice? Now’s your chance.


  4. Serve hot, topped with cilantro or avocado.

    Or both—live your truth.


Where to Stash the Leftovers

Store this bad boy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze it for up to 3 months—just thaw and reheat. Pro tip: The flavors get bolder overnight, so leftovers might outshine the first serving.

Sorry, not sorry.

Why This Stew is Basically a Superfood

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Want to Cook Delicious Plant-Based Meals From Scratch But Have No Idea Where To Start?

Beyond tasting like a hug, this stew is packed with fiber (goodbye, hunger pangs), plant-based protein (muscles rejoice), and vitamins A and C (immune system high-five). It’s also low-fat and keeps blood sugar steady. Eat it guilt-free, or don’t—we can’t tell you how to live.

Common Mistakes (Don’t Be That Person)

  • Overcooking until it’s mush.

    Sweet potatoes should be tender, not baby food.


  • Skimping on spices. This isn’t the time to be timid.
  • Forgetting to rinse beans. That canned liquid is not your friend.
  • Using underripe sweet potatoes.

    They’re sweeter and creamier when ripe.


Swap It Like You Mean It

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No sweet potatoes? Try butternut squash. Black beans not your jam?

Kidney beans work. Out of veggie broth? Water + extra spices will do.

Want it creamier? Stir in coconut milk at the end. This recipe is more flexible than your yoga instructor.

FAQs (Because Someone Always Asks)

Can I make this on the stovetop?

Absolutely.

Sauté onions and garlic first, then add everything else. Simmer for 30-40 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender.

Is this stew spicy?

Not really. The chili powder gives a mild kick, but you can omit it or add hot sauce if you’re a heat seeker.

Can I add meat?

Sure, toss in shredded chicken or ground turkey.

But IMO, it’s perfect as-is.

Why’s my stew too watery?

You probably added too much broth. Fix it by simmering uncovered for a bit or mashing some sweet potatoes to thicken it.

Final Thoughts

This stew is the culinary equivalent of a trusty sweatpant—comforting, reliable, and impossible to hate. It’s meal prep gold, crowd-pleaser certified, and so easy you could make it half-asleep.

FYI, your slow cooker deserves this. Now go forth and stew.

Want to Cook Delicious Plant-Based Meals From Scratch But Have No Idea Where To Start?

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