Description
This easy pumpkin chili is a hearty and flavorful twist on classic chili, combining ground beef, beans, diced tomatoes, and pumpkin purée with a blend of chili spices. Perfect for a comforting meal, it simmers gently to develop rich flavors and serves 6 generous portions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chili
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 yellow onion
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 15 oz can kidney beans, drained
- 1 15 oz can black beans, drained
- 1 15 oz can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 15 oz can pumpkin purée
- 5 tbsp tomato paste (1/2 6 oz can)
- 2 cups water
Chili Seasoning
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Prep aromatics: Mince the garlic and dice the onion. Add the garlic, onion, and olive oil to a large pot.
- Sauté aromatics: Sauté the onion and garlic over medium heat until the onions are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Cook beef: Add the ground beef to the pot and cook until browned and fully cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add ingredients: Stir in the drained kidney beans, drained black beans, diced tomatoes with juices, pumpkin purée, tomato paste, water, and all chili seasoning spices. Mix well to combine.
- Simmer chili: Cover the pot with a lid and bring the chili to a gentle simmer. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and help flavors meld.
- Adjust seasoning & serve: Taste the chili and add more salt if needed. Serve hot with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, cheese, green onions, or corn chips.
Notes
- You can substitute your own store-bought chili seasoning or your favorite spice blend for the chili seasoning listed.
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with plant-based meat or additional beans and omit meat entirely.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot like a Dutch oven for even cooking and to prevent burning.
- Leftovers taste great the next day and can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.25 cups
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
