Healthy Pumpkin Chili Recipe

This chili is an autumn favorite. It’s loaded with healthful ingredients and big bold flavors. Your family will thank you for serving comfort in a bowl.

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Healthy Pumpkin Chili Recipe — We’ve subtly seasoned it with fall flavors that amp up the autumn vibes. Courtesy of Amy Dong

By Amy Dong

10/19/2023Updated: 10/19/2023

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What is Pumpkin Chili?

Before you raise a brow because you saw pumpkin chili, let me reassure you that it’s not nearly as quirky as it sounds. Fact: this chili tastes a lot like our all-time favorite hearty chili, except we’ve subtly seasoned it with fall flavors that amp up the autumn vibes. You won’t have to cut open any pumpkins. Instead, you’ll simply add pumpkin spice and pumpkin puree to an amazing pot of chili. You’ll be rewarded with comforting bowls of savory, satisfying chili that tastes extraordinary.

Why This Recipe Stands Out

You’ll bring fall flavors into your home by simply adding pumpkin spice and pumpkin puree to an incredible chili recipe.
No fancy cookware is needed; just a good old large pot or Dutch oven will do.
You’ll be able to serve up comforting bowls of homemade chili in less than 1 hour.
This pumpkin chili is deliciously healthy, with lean protein and plenty of vegetables your family will actually devour.
You can make pumpkin chili meatless, if you’d like.
This chili recipe is perfectly suited for meal prep; make a big batch on Sunday and enjoy it throughout the week.

(Courtesy of Amy Dong) — Courtesy of Amy Dong

Key Ingredients

Pumpkin Puree: Sure, you already love it in pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie. But pumpkin chili? Nobody will guess how sneaky you were. Its main role in this recipe is to thicken the chili and provide an extra boost of nutrition.
Pumpkin Pie Spice: A touch of fall spices give this chili recipe a delicious autumn vibe.
Aromatics: We are never shy about onions and garlic. In fact, we roast entire heads of garlic on the regular.
Seasonings: Chili powder, coriander, and cumin all play key roles in imparting an earthy, succulent flavor to this chili.
Protein: We use ground turkey, but feel free to use ground beef or ground sausage. Black beans are a great source of protein here as well.
Broth: High quality chicken stock is recommended for full flavor, but you can also make it meatless with vegetable broth.
Vegetables: Plenty of veggies round out this homemade chili, including bell peppers, tomato paste, and fire roasted tomatoes.

Substitutions and Variations

Go Vegan: Make your pumpkin chili vegetarian or vegan by using vegetable broth and replacing the meat with more beans and/or vegan sausage crumbles.
Vary the Vegetables: Use any mixture of veggies, including corn, diced carrots, and fresh tomatoes. s
Vary the Protein: Use any combination of ground turkey, ground beef, ground sausage, or ground chicken.
Garnishes: We love a good sprinkling of cheddar cheese on top, but feel free to use any variety of cheese and include sour cream or avocado slices on top.

Step By Step Instructions

In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil until hot. Add onion and garlic, stirring until fragrant. Add sugar, chili powder, cumin, pumpkin pie spice, oregano, and coriander.
Add ground turkey to pot and sprinkle 1 tsp salt over it; cook/stir to break up into small pieces. When turkey is cooked through, add tomato paste.
Add bell peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes with juices, and broth. Scrape bottom of pan while stirring. Bring chili to a simmer; simmer covered for 20 minutes. Add beans and pumpkin puree. Bring chili back to a simmer for 15-20 min or until heated through.
Remove from heat. Add additional kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve warm, with shredded cheddar cheese or your choice of garnishes.