Pumpkin Chili in the Crock-pot

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Warm up your taste buds with this delicious and hearty Pumpkin Chili cooked to perfection in a slow cooker. Made with pumpkin puree, this pumpkin chili in the Crock-pot is a tasty twist on a classic favorite.

The rich and creamy pumpkin puree melds perfectly with beef, beans, and 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 that you’re going to love.

Two bowls of pumpkin chili with a small pumpkin and a brown striped napkin sitting next to them.

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).

Fall chili lovers, you’ll love this White Turkey Chili too – so good on chilly days!

Process shots for pumpkin chili in the Crock-pot.

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.

A bowl of pumpkin chili sitting with a spoon and a brown striped napkin.

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

A bowl of pumpkin chili sitting with a spoon and a brown striped napkin.

Pumpkin Chili in the Crock-Pot

By: Kristine Underwood
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.
5 from 17 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Course Soup, Stew, & Chili
Cuisine American
Servings 4 bowls
Calories 269 kcal

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. 
    1 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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 bowlCalories: 269kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 25gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 396mgPotassium: 689mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 19365IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 5mg
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Recipe Rating




31 Comments

  1. Pumpkin chili is one of my favorites! This looks totally amazing and I love the presentation in a pumpkin! Stunning. 🙂5 stars

    1. Thank you so much, Melissa! You made my day. It’s one of my favorites too. 🙂

  2. It is ridiculously cold here right now. All I want is comfort food, just like this pumpkin chili. Looks delicious and hearty!5 stars

    1. 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!

  3. 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.5 stars

    1. Thank you so much Ginny! It’s a delicious combination for fall! Hope you enjoy it!

  4. I love pummpkin in everything! This chili sounds great!5 stars

  5. Love the sound of this, pumkin takes spice so well, I make a big chunky pumpkin chili and love it, I must try this!5 stars

    1. Thank you so much Brian! I should try making a chunky chili next time – I love that idea!

  6. MacKenzie says:

    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 recipe5 stars