Pumpkin Chili in the Crock-pot
Warm up your taste buds with this delicious and hearty Pumpkin Chili cooked to perfection in a slow cooker. Made with homemade fresh pumpkin puree, this recipe adds a delightful twist to a classic comfort food favorite. The rich and creamy pumpkin puree melds perfectly with the savory spices, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal. This Pumpkin Chili in the Crock-pot will fill your home with comforting aromas and your belly with warmth. It’s a perfect balance of sweet and savory, making it an autumn must-try.
When I make chili, I like to make it a little different each time and sometimes, I get really creative based on what I have hanging out in the fridge. Actually, that’s how I got this brilliant idea! I was feeling chili for dinner, opened the fridge, saw the pumpkin puree I just made, and a lightbulb went off. “I’ll make pumpkin chili.”
When I first suggested pumpkin chili to the fam though, I got mixed reactions. Jay and Mad both said it sounded delicious, but Hannah strongly disagreed. In fact, she was a ‘hard no’ and said that she wanted no part of it. I didn’t take it personally because she says that about 90% of the food I cook these days (because…um…she’s a teenager).
My favorite thing about this recipe is how simple it is; it’s a regular old one-pot chili recipe with some extra goodness added to turn it into the perfect pumpkin chili.
How to make pumpkin chili
You start by browning the ground beef or turkey and onion ( you can also make this a meatless meal and omit the beef or turkey all together) on the stove. Oh and I should warn you, I’m kind of freaked out by putting raw meat in the Crock-Pot, so I always precook my meat before adding it to chili.
Anyhoo, once the meat is fully cooked and the onions are tender, you just throw it along with all of the remaining ingredients into the Crock-pot, give it a good stir, and let it go! So. Stinking. Easy.
This pumpkin chili is thick and substantial and tastes reminiscent of fall. Neither the pumpkin or the ‘secret ingredient’ are dominant. It’s just warm and delicious! It’s the perfect dinner to cozy up with after a long fall day.
Tip
This chili freezes great, either in an airtight container or in a Ziplock back. If frozen, allow chili to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
And guess what, both Hannah and her friend Ian had a giant mug full (because that’s how we eat chili over here, in oversized coffee mugs) and they loved it. Ian even gave it two thumbs up, not just one! If a chili can win Hannah over (especially a pumpkin chili), it’s most definitely a keeper! This is one recipe you’ll want to add to your dinner schedule ASAP!
More comfort food for you
Pumpkin Chili in the Crock-Pot
ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cups pumpkin puree
- 1-1/2 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 15 ounce can white chili beans
- 1 15 ounce can brown chili beans
- 1-1/2 TBS chili powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon (the secret ingredient!)
- 1 TBS white vinegar
- 1 TBS honey or brown sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a frying pan over medium-high cook beef and onion until brown and cooked thoroughly.Â1 pound ground beef or turkey, 1 medium onion, chopped
- Stir in minced garlic and cook 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.1-1/2 tsp garlic, minced
- In the crock of the Crock-Pot add garlic, pumpkin puree, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chili beans, spices, vinegar, and brown sugar and mix well.2 cups pumpkin puree, 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes, 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce, 1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes, 1 15 ounce can white chili beans, 1 15 ounce can brown chili beans, 1-1/2 TBS chili powder, 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1/8 tsp cinnamon (the secret ingredient!), 1 TBS white vinegar, 1 TBS honey or brown sugar
- Stir in cooked meat and onion.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours on low, stirring occasionally.
- Let cool for 10-15 minutes prior to serving.
I would never have thought of that. I bet the pumpkin gives it a great depth of flavour. I must try to use my crockpot more now Autumn is here too.
It definitely does, Jacqueline! It’s at the top of my favorite chili list now! Thank you, I hope you enjoy it and happy fall!
OMG this is brilliant! Like seriously speechless! I love pumpkin, love chilli, how did this never cross my mind! YUM!! Top of my todo list!
Thank you so much Mahy! It is an easy way to make plain chili extraordinary! Hope you love it! #favoritechiliever
Never thought to add pumpkin to a chilli, but I can picture it now as an excellent flavour combo!
Thank you so much, Emma! The pumpkin add just a little ‘extra’ to make chili even more comforting! 🙂
A girl after my own heart. This looks perfect!
Aw Lauren, thank you so much! Happy Fall!
This is a gorgeous bowl of chili — and I think my husband would like it despite his pumpkin aversion — a good way to hide it!
Thanks Lisa! Wait, your husband has an aversion to chili? How is that possible? LOL!
What a brilliant idea. Of course pumpkin would work in a chili dish! And such a fantastic way to add a healthy element.
Thank you so much Katherine! I’ve also added butternut squash, which is equally as delicious! Yay fall! 😉
How perfect is this!? Seriously. I never would have thought to put pumpkin puree in chili!! I am so pinning this and trying this recipe this weekend. It looks glorious and super tasty!!
Thank you so much Elaine! It is a simple way to add ‘a little somethin’ to regular chili! It’s one of our favorite recipes. Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
I wish I had a big bowl of this infront of me right now! YUM!!!!!
Thank you so much, Jenn! Come on over! 😉
This looks so comforting. Everywhere I look I see pumpkins – it’s unavoidable! I think it’s a sign telling me I am going to be having this for dinner this week 🙂
Thank you so much Joyce! I know what you mean, it’s pumpkins pumpkins everywhere!
Love it! I’ve been doing so many pumpkin recipes lately but never even thought about a pumpkin chili! Will definitely need to make this!
Me too, Lisa – I’ve been adding pumpkin to everything (obviously, haha)! Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Pumpkin chili is one of my favorites! This looks totally amazing and I love the presentation in a pumpkin! Stunning. 🙂
Thank you so much, Melissa! You made my day. It’s one of my favorites too. 🙂
It is ridiculously cold here right now. All I want is comfort food, just like this pumpkin chili. Looks delicious and hearty!
I’m a little jealous! It’s still 100 degrees here in Phoenix, but I’m feeling comfort food anyway! Thank you so much, Noor!
I have never even thought of pumpkin chili but what a great idea. I think the flavor combo sounds delicious and since it all goes in a crock pot then all the better.
Thank you so much Ginny! It’s a delicious combination for fall! Hope you enjoy it!
I love pummpkin in everything! This chili sounds great!
Thank you of much Anjali! I agree with you 100%. 😉
Love the sound of this, pumkin takes spice so well, I make a big chunky pumpkin chili and love it, I must try this!
Thank you so much Brian! I should try making a chunky chili next time – I love that idea!
I love fall and everything pumpkin. I made these yesterday and they didn’t last long. They are so good. Next time I will be doubling the recipe