Pumpkin Chili for Fall – Crock Pot Healthy Pumpkin Chili

This tasty pumpkin chili uses pumpkin puree to make a savory dish that your whole family will enjoy.

I use pumpkin a lot in the fall, both for decor and in my recipes, but most of the recipes that I have made in the past have been sweet pumpkin desserts.

There are over 100 types of pumpkins. Some are good for making pumpkin puree to use in recipes like this. Others are better for carving. 

All are edible but using a cooking pumpkin makes a better-tasting pumpkin chili!

Cooking chili in the crock pot is such a great way to prepare this tasty fall meal.

But wait – how do your crock pot meals end up?  If they are not living up to your expectations, you may be making one of these slow cooker mistakes.

Pumpkin season is heading towards us at full speed. Before long, you will see recipes for pumpkin and carved pumpkins everywhere. It will be totally unavoidable.

This Crock Pot Pumpkin Chili is a great twist on a classic recipe that is full of the flavors of fall. 

Making this Hearty Pumpkin Chili

This  Pumpkin Chili comes together easily in a slow cooker. The spice level is on the low side, but if you like yours more spicy, just add more chili powder or red pepper flakes.

You can just put everything in the slow cooker and cover and cook it and the flavors will be great. However, if you caramelize the onions, and vegetables and brown the turkey first you will take this chili to a whole new level.

If you are short of time, do this step the evening before and put it all in the crock pot the next day to cook while you tend to other things.

I used both garbanzo and kidney beans, as well as a wonderful blend of spices, some diced tomatoes, and a can of pumpkin puree.

Pumpkin puree is a cook’s best friend in the fall. It can be used in both savory and sweet recipes.

If you have harvested pumpkins from your garden, you can make your own pumpkin purée or use canned pumpkin.

Lime juice and vegetable broth rounds out the sauce mix and ground turkey gives it some extra richness.

Brown the onions, garlic, and peppers and add it to the crock pot. Lightly brown the turkey and add this too.

The beans, pumpkin, tomatoes, and spices then get added to the crock pot along with the vegetable broth and everything gets a good mix.

The pumpkin chili cooks on low for 6-8 hours and will make your house smell amazing! A half-hour before serving, add the lime juice and zest for a bit of extra freshness.

I like to top this hearty pumpkin chili with chopped fresh cilantro, avocado, and gluten-free tortilla chips.

My favorite tortillas are UTZ gluten-free multi-grain tortillas. They are made with flax seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, quinoa, corn, and brown rice and taste amazing! 

Other nice toppings if you are following a normal diet are sour cream, Greek yogurt, grated cheese, and chopped jalapeños.

This chili has a lovely earthy taste with lots of chunky goodness that comes from the beans and ground turkey.  It has a nice level of spice that appeals to both me and my husband, who likes a bit more heat.

He just adds extra red pepper flakes to his bowl.

The recipe makes 8 delicious servings which gives me some leftovers for the cool fall days ahead.

Share this recipe for pumpkin chili on Twitter

If you enjoyed this pumpkin chili recipe, be sure to share it with a friend. Here is a tweet to get you started:

Fall is the time for pumpkins and also for chili. Why not combine the two together? This recipe for pumpkin chili is made in the crock pot and tastes amazing. Find out how to make it on The Gardening Cook.  Share on X

The recipe is gluten-free, Paleo, and Whole30 compliant (omit the sour cream and tortilla chips for Whole30.) It is perfect for a nice crisp fall day and your family will love the taste!

Yield: 8

Pumpkin Chili for Fall - Healthy Chili Made with Pumpkin Puree

Print

This delicious recipe for apple crumble baked apples gives us the best of both words.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 6 hours

Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 2 sweet bell peppers, chopped
• 2 14-ounce can of diced tomatoes
• 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 15-ounce can pumpkin purée
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 2 tsp smokey paprika
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• dash of red pepper flakes
• juice and zest from 1 lime
• toppings: cilantro, avocado, tortilla chips, sour cream

Instructions

1. In a nonstick fry pan, heat the olive oil. Sauté the onion, peppers garlic until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes. Place the bottom of the crock pot.
2. Cook the ground turkey until it has browned lightly- about 10 minutes
3. Place this mixture into the bottom of a crock pot.
4. Add the canned tomatoes, beans, pumpkin puree, vegetable broth and spices. Stir until well combined.
5. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
6. 1/2 hour before serving, add the lime juice and zest.
7. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.

Share on Social Media