Hearty Pumpkin Chili
Pumpkin Chili combines hearty flavors with a subtle touch of fall sweetness for a comforting, satisfying meal.
Ground turkey, bell peppers and onions form a savory base, while pumpkin adds creaminess and a hint of natural sweetness.
Warm spices like chili powder, smoked paprika and cumin give the chili depth, and red kidney beans round out the dish with extra protein and texture.
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Perfect for chilly evenings or cozy family dinners, this pumpkin chili is easy to make, nourishing and full of seasonal flavor.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Chili
- Hearty and flavorful: Ground turkey, beans, and vegetables create a satisfying, protein-packed chili.
- Seasoned to perfection: Chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin and garlic powder bring warm, comforting spice.
- Fall twist: Pumpkin adds natural sweetness and a creamy texture without overpowering the savory flavors.
- Easy weeknight meal: One-pot preparation makes it simple to cook and serve in under 30 minutes.
This pumpkin chili is a cozy, balanced dish that blends savory, spicy, and subtly sweet flavors for a warming, family-friendly meal.
A special thanks to Green Giant for this pumpkin recipe.
What Goes with Pumpkin Chili
This hearty, spiced pumpkin chili pairs beautifully with sides and drinks that balance its warmth and savory flavors:
- Cornbread or jalapeño cornbread: Slightly sweet and soft bread complements the chili’s spice and pumpkin richness.
- Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese: Melts on top for a creamy, savory contrast.
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt: Adds a cool, tangy element to balance the spices.
- Crusty bread or tortilla chips: Perfect for dipping and scooping up every bite.
- Light lager or amber ale: Refreshing beers cut through the richness while enhancing the chili’s flavors.
These pairings make pumpkin chili perfect for cozy weeknight dinners, fall gatherings or comforting meal prep.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pumpkin Chili
Pumpkin chili is a hearty, savory chili that incorporates pumpkin puree or chunks into the traditional chili base of beans, tomatoes, spices, and sometimes meat.
The pumpkin adds natural sweetness, creaminess and depth of flavor, making the chili rich, comforting and slightly autumnal.
What Does Pumpkin Chili Taste Like
Pumpkin chili has a rich, slightly sweet, and earthy flavor from the pumpkin, balanced by the savory spices, tomatoes and beans or meat.
It’s warm, comforting and slightly creamy, with a subtle natural sweetness that complements the hearty, spicy chili flavors.
Hearty Pumpkin Chili Recipe
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
This Pumpkin Chili combines savory turkey, hearty beans and warm spices with creamy pumpkin for a comforting, flavorful twist on classic chili.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
For Pumpkin Chili, you’ll need the following kitchen tools:
- Dutch oven or large pot: to cook and simmer the chili
- Cutting board: to chop vegetables
- Chef’s knife: to chop bell pepper and onion
- Spatula or wooden spoon: to stir and break up the ground turkey
- Measuring spoons: for spices and seasonings
- Measuring cup: for chicken broth
- Can opener: to open diced tomatoes, pumpkin, and kidney beans
- Ladle: to serve the chili
- Optional: stove thermometer to monitor simmering temperature
These tools make it easy to prepare a hearty, flavorful pumpkin chili every time.
Chili Ingredients
These ingredients come together to make a hearty and flavorful pumpkin chili with tender turkey, beans and a warm blend of spices.
- olive oil
- bell pepper
- yellow onion
- ground turkey
- chili powder
- smoked paprika
- cumin
- powder
- chicken broth
- diced tomatoes
- Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin
- red kidney beans
How to Make Pumpkin Chili
In a Dutch oven over medium heat, heat the oil. Add bell pepper and onion and sauté for 5 minutes.
Add ground turkey, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in chili powder, paprika, cumin, and garlic powder.
Add broth, tomatoes, and pumpkin. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in kidney beans and simmer 3 more minutes.
Ladle into bowls and serve hot.
More Chili Recipes
Discover more chili recipes that bring bold spices, hearty textures, and cozy comfort to every bowl.
- Creamy One-Pot Chili Mac
- Slow Cooker Steak Chili
- Slow Cooker BBQ Chili
- Turkey Pumpkin Chili
- Slow-Simmered Pork Chili with Beans
- Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili Mac
- Chipotle Veggie Chili
- Chili Cornbread Casserole
- Chili Con Carne
- Sweet Potato Chicken Chili
- Slow Cooker Chili
Dive into Flavor-Packed Chili Recipes for even more flavor!
For more inspirational pumpkin ideas:
Easy As Pie: The Essential Pie Cookbook for Every Season and Reason
The Great Big Pumpkin Cookbook: A Quick and Easy Guide to Making Pancakes, Soups, Breads, Pastas, Cakes, Cookies, and MoreThe Pumpkin Cookbook: 139 Recipes Celebrating the Versatility of Pumpkin and Other Winter SquashPurely Pumpkin: More Than 100 Seasonal Recipes to Share, Savor, and Warm Your Kitchen
Pumpkin Chili
Pumpkin Chili combines hearty flavors with a subtle touch of fall sweetness for a comforting, satisfying meal. Ground turkey, bell peppers and onions form a savory base, while pumpkin adds creaminess and a hint of natural sweetness.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin
- 1 can (15 ounces) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven over medium heat, heat the oil. Add bell pepper and onion and sauté for 5 minutes.
- Add ground turkey, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in chili powder, paprika, cumin, and garlic powder.
- Add broth, tomatoes, and pumpkin. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in kidney beans and simmer 3 more minutes.
- Ladle into bowls and serve hot.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 377Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 4gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 330mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 8gSugar: 4gProtein: 28g
Nutrient values are only estimates provided by online calculators. Various factors can change the nutritional information in any given recipe.
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