Description
This Easy Pumpkin Chili recipe combines hearty ground beef, beans, and the subtle sweetness of pumpkin purée into a rich, flavorful chili that's perfect for cozy meals. With warming spices and simple ingredients, it delivers a comforting dish that serves six and can be topped with your favorites like sour cream or cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Chili
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 yellow onion
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 15oz. can kidney beans, drained
- 1 15oz. can black beans, drained
- 1 15oz. can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 15oz. can pumpkin purée
- 1/2 6oz. can tomato paste (5 Tbsp)
- 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
- Prepare aromatics: Mince the garlic and dice the onion. Add the garlic, onion, and olive oil to a large pot. 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 cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add remaining ingredients: Stir in the drained kidney beans and black beans, diced tomatoes with their juices, pumpkin purée, tomato paste, water, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt until well combined.
- Simmer chili: Cover the pot with a lid and bring the chili to a simmer. Stir occasionally and let it simmer gently for 30 minutes so the flavors meld.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste the chili and add more salt if needed. Serve hot with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, shredded cheese, green onions, or corn chips.
Notes
- You can substitute the homemade chili seasoning with your favorite store-bought chili seasoning mix.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth instead of water if desired.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and freeze well for up to 3 months.
- Feel free to adjust the heat level by adding cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños if you like it spicier.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.25 cups
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
