Pumpkin Chili {Slow Cooker or Stovetop}

Warm up with a bowl of hearty pumpkin chili—perfect for fall and made easily in a slow cooker or on the stovetop.

110 min Serves 10 Medium American

Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at theseasonedmom.com.

This pumpkin chili combines ground turkey or beef with pinto beans, corn, fire-roasted tomatoes, and pumpkin puree for a rich, comforting meal. Seasoned with chili powder, cumin, and a touch of brown sugar, it simmers on the stovetop for 1–1½ hours or cooks low and slow in a crockpot. Serve with your favorite toppings like cheese, sour cream, or avocado.

Directions

Warm the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once it shimmers, add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes until it starts to brown at the edges. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the ground turkey or beef, breaking it apart as it browns, and cook for 5–7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat, then return the meat mixture to the pot.

Stir in all remaining ingredients: pinto beans, frozen corn, fire-roasted tomatoes (with their juices), pumpkin puree, tomato sauce, broth, chili powder, cumin, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook on low heat for 1 to 1½ hours, stirring occasionally. If the chili becomes too thick, add a little extra broth to thin it.

Ladle the chili into bowls and serve with optional toppings like cornbread, corn chips, cheese, sour cream, green onions, cilantro, avocado, or diced red onion.

For the slow cooker version: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When it shimmers, add the onion and cook about 5 minutes until it begins to caramelize. Stir in the garlic and cook another minute. Add the ground meat and brown, breaking it up, for 5–7 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat and drain the fat.

Transfer the cooked meat mixture to a slow cooker. Add all remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Cover and cook on LOW for 4–6 hours or on HIGH for 2–3 hours.

Ladle the chili into bowls and garnish with your choice of optional toppings.