Crockpot Pumpkin Chili
It has been a while since I've posted a recipe and that is because we did a lot of traveling in August and we are preparing to move back to New Mexico in early October. I had one goal for September and that was to get this pumpkin chili recipe up! In my opinion, Trader Joe's has pumpkin everything so that means it's socially acceptable to start making pumpkin recipes! This pumpkin chili recipe is one I have been making for years. I look forward to it every year, it's always one of my first and last fall recipes to make. The best part is that it's a super easy crockpot recipe!
Some people loved the idea of pumpkin chili when I first starting posting about it and others weren't sure what to think. "Pumpkin!? In chili!?". Trust me, it's delicious. I don't think the pumpkin is overwhelming at all, in fact you could put in more pumpkin spice to boost the flavor. Pumpkin is a great source of vitamin A, iron, vitamin C and potassium. I love to bring this to work and I'm never mad about leftovers!
All the recipe needs is browned ground turkey and onion on the skillet. I recommend getting the leaner ground turkey. I usually season the turkey to taste with paprika, and garlic salt or whatever I'm feeling. I dump that to the crockpot with a can of black beans, chili beans, pumpkin puree and your seasoning, chili powder, brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice. It also needs a tomato base. I've used both chopped or diced tomatoes as well as tomato sauce. It really depends on what you like more. Tomato sauce adds a creamier or soupier texture and the diced more chunky. You could also do a can of each! I like to add in some green chile because I'm a good New Mexican girl, but you don't have to. Like any chili, you can make make varieties of it by adding various vegetables like sweet potato or butternut squash. I kept it classic here but you can get creative! Chili is a great way to clean out your fridge and pantry. Then you just cook on low for 3 hours. I top mine with shredded cheese and sour cream.
I hope you enjoy this recipe, let me know what you think! Here is the video of the recipe.
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 30 oz canned tomato sauce (or chopped tomatoes)
- 15 oz canned chili beans
- 15 oz canned black beans
- 15 oz canned pumpkin puree
- 1-2 tbsp paprika (use some chili powder for more spice)
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
- garlic salt to taste
- paprika to taste
- 3-5 oz Hatch green chile (optional)
Add some olive oil to a pan and add your chopped onion and turkey. Season with paprika and garlic salt to taste. Cook on medium heat until no longer pink and until crumbly. Dump in a crockpot.
Dump in the crockpot the: tomato sauce, pumpkin and beans.
Add the pumpkin pie spice, paprika, chili powder (if using) and brown sugar.
If using green chile add that in.
Stir everything to combine.
Heat on low for 3 hours or low 5-6 hours.
Serve with shredded cheese and sour cream.