Pumpkin Chilli

This post shows you how to make pumpkin chilli.

Looking for a warming fall dinner recipe that ticks all the boxes? This Pumpkin Chilli is a delicious twist on a classic!

Whether you’re opting for a vegetarian pumpkin chill recipe or you plan on adding pumpkin into your chilli con carne, this delicious dish is full of autumnal flavors and goes great with so many sides. We’re loving this chili with jacket potato, pasta, rice or even nachos – any excuse to cook it again! Its great for hosting to as it is super filling and seems to go on and on – plenty for all. We really love how the spices gently warm you up and think you will to. Try this recipe today!

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Easy fall dinner ideas

We love the coziness of fall and with it come the yummiest fall flavors that the season has to offer. Here are some of our absolute favorite and super easy fall dinner recipe ideas:

1. Butternut Squash Soup 
2. Pumpkin Chili 
3. Chicken & Wild Rice Soup 
4. Beef & Barley Stew 
5. Creamy Sweet Potato & Carrot Soup
6. Pumpkin Mac & Cheese 
7. Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie 
8. Chicken & Stuffing Casserole 
9. Baked Ziti with Sausage & Spinach 
10. Butternut Squash & Kale Lasagna
11. Maple Dijon Glazed Pork Chops 
12. Slow Cooker Beef Pot Roast 
13. Apple Cider Chicken Thighs 
14. Harvest Quinoa Skillet 
15. Creamy Mushroom & Garlic Chicken Skillet 
16. Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta 
17. Sausage & Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash 
18. Mushroom & Sage Risotto 
19. Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Bacon Farro Bowl 
20. Cranberry Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf

Aesther Cooking Pairs this recipe with

Ingredients

For the Chili:

1 tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 bell pepper, diced (any color)

1 lb ground beef, turkey, or plant-based alternative (or 2 extra cups of beans for a meatless version)

2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp cumin

½ tsp cinnamon (optional, enhances warmth)

½ tsp black pepper

1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

1 can (15 oz) pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)

1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes

1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce

2 cans (15 oz each) beans (black beans, kidney beans, or pinto), drained and rinsed

1 ½ cups vegetable or chicken broth

1 tbsp maple syrup or honey (optional, enhances the pumpkin’s natural sweetness)

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lime juice (for balance)

Optional Garnishes:

1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)

½ tsp cayenne (for extra heat)

½ cup quinoa (for a thicker chili)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sauté the Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper, cooking for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Cook the Protein & Spices

If using ground meat, add it to the pot and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.

Stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.

Simmer the Chili

Pour in pumpkin purée, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, and broth. Stir well.

Bring to a gentle simmer and let cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Final Touches

Stir in maple syrup (if using) and apple cider vinegar. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Let the chili sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to deepen.

Final Touches

Ladle into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes!

Tips and Tricks

✔ Fresh Pumpkin – the fresher the pumpkin the better for a more vibrant and richer flavor when you go ahead and roast it.

✔ Make it ahead – one of the thing we loveee about chili recipes is how when it’s left overnight in the fridge the flavors develop even more!

✔ Switch up the spice level – stick to milder spice levels or bring up the heat with some jalapeños or hot sauce.

✔ Thicker chili? – if you want a thicker consistency in your pumpkin chili, mash up some of the beans or add some quinoa till it’s the level of thickness that you want.

🌿 Make It Your Own – Try:

• Protein Swaps 🍗
  • Swap out ground turkey, chicken, or even sausage for different flavors.
  • If you want a veggie version add some lentils or extra beans.
• Extra Veggies 🥕
  • Mix in some chopped carrots, zucchini, or mushrooms for a different texture – we’re obsessed with this.
• Sweet & Smoky 🍁
  • If you want a hint of sweetness to your chili, incorporate a spoonful of maple syrup into your chili.
  • We love adding a smoky flavor so you could add in chipotle peppers in adobo sauce as well.

Pumpkin Chili

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Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:25 minutes mins

Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

For the Chili:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 bell pepper diced (any color)
• 1 lb ground beef turkey, or plant-based alternative (or 2 extra cups of beans for a meatless version)
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp cinnamon optional, enhances warmth
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt adjust to taste
• 1 can 15 oz pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 can 15 oz diced tomatoes
• 1 can 15 oz tomato sauce
• 2 cans 15 oz each beans (black beans, kidney beans, or pinto), drained and rinsed
• 1 ½ cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey optional, enhances the pumpkin’s natural sweetness
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lime juice for balance

Optional Add-Ins:

• 1 cup corn kernels fresh, frozen, or canned
• ½ tsp cayenne for extra heat
• ½ cup quinoa for a thicker chili

Instructions

Sauté the Aromatics

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper, cooking for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Cook the Protein & Spices

• If using ground meat, add it to the pot and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
• Stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.

Simmer the Chili

• Pour in pumpkin purée, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, and broth. Stir well.
• Bring to a gentle simmer and let cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Final Touches

• Stir in maple syrup (if using) and apple cider vinegar. Adjust seasoning as needed.
• Let the chili sit for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to deepen.

Serve & Enjoy!

• Ladle into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes!

How to Serve

This Pumpkin Chili pairs so well with:

✔ Crusty Bread or Cornbread – when all you want to do is soak up every last bit of flavor…

✔ Tortilla Chips – like we mentioned earlier and throw some cheese over the top too!

✔ Toppings Galore – make it exactly how you like it and add your fave toppings: shredded cheese, avocado, Greek yogurt, sour cream, or fresh cilantro.

✔ Stuffed in a Baked Sweet Potato – honestly, hands down, this is one of our favorite ways to enjoy this chili.

FAQs

Q: Can I make this chili in a slow cooker?
A: Yes! But first cook the meat (if using), then go head combine everything in the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.

Q: Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?
A: You absolutely can! You will probably find the flavors are even better too. You will want to use around 4-5 medium fresh tomatoes, and dice them. If they don’t have a lot of liquid to them, just add an extra ½ cup of broth.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

• Protein: 18g
• Carbs: 38g
• Fats: 10g

We hope that this will become a fall fave for you!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

• 19 Delicious Pumpkin Recipe ideas
• 15 Best Bonfire Night Party Food and Drink ideas
• Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
• Pumpkin Oatmeal
• Pumpkin French Toast Bake

Looking for more fall recipe ideas? visit seasonal

This post shows you how to make pumpkin chilli.