Turkey Pumpkin Chili combines traditional flavors with a seasonal twist, making it a hearty and nutritious choice for any meal. The addition of pumpkin not only enhances the dish but also provides extra nutrients, setting it apart from standard chili recipes.
This pumpkin chili recipe includes key ingredients such as ground turkey, bell peppers, and black beans, creating a balanced dish rich in protein and fiber. With just a few basic seasonings like chili powder, salt, and pepper, the flavors meld together for a satisfying bowl of comfort!
Great Winter & Fall Chili Recipe the whole family will love
Turkey pumpkin chili is a comforting dish perfect for cold weather. It combines traditional chili flavors with the unique addition of pumpkin puree, making it both hearty and nutritious.
The combination of turkey and pumpkin offers a healthier alternative without sacrificing flavor. Each bite provides warmth and satisfaction, ideal for chilly evenings. This chili is a great meal for families. It is easy to prepare and can be made in large batches. Leftovers can be stored for future lunches or dinners!
Why you’ll love this Easy Turkey Chili Recipe
- Easy steps. Preparation time is quick and manageable. The use of canned ingredients like diced tomatoes and pumpkin puree saves time.
- Healthy & filling. The recipe is packed with nutritious ingredients. Bell peppers, onions, and black beans add vitamins and fiber. This makes it not only delicious but also a healthier choice.
- Versatile. Substituting ground turkey with chicken or beef is easy. This allows everyone to customize the recipe to their taste. Toppings also enhance the experience. Adding cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro, or avocado elevates each bowl. These options allow for personalization in flavor and texture.
Ingredients in Turkey Pumpkin Chili
Bell peppers: You’ll need ½ cup each of chopped green and yellow bell peppers.
Onion: 1 cup of diced onions adds a lot of flavor to this dish.
Garlic: Add in 1 clove of garlic, minced. You can mince your own or use minced garlic from a jar to save time.
Oil: Use 1 TBSP of vegetable or avocado oil to cook the veggies in.
Turkey: 1 lb. of ground turkey is the main protein in this chili. You can swap this out with shredded chicken, ground beef, or pork if you’d like.
Pumpkin puree: One 15-oz can of pumpkin puree is what sets this chili apart from traditional chili recipes so don’t leave it out!
Diced tomatoes: Add in one 14.5-oz can of diced tomatoes.
Black beans: Use one 15-oz can of black beans, drained.
Chicken broth: 2 cups of chicken broth provides the liquid for the chili and also adds a lot of flavor.
Chili powder: For great flavor, add in 1 ½ TBSP of chili powder to this dish.
Salt and pepper: 1 tsp of salt and ½ tsp of pepper rounds out the seasoning in this chili.
Optional toppings: Every good bowl of chili has some extra toppings too! Our favorites are cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro and avocado.
How to make Turkey Pumpkin Chili
Prep
Chop both bell peppers, dice the onion, and if you are using fresh garlic, mince it.
Cook
Combine the green & yellow bell pepper, onion, garlic, and vegetable oil to a large skillet and sauté over medium-high heat until the mixture is slightly softened.
Place the ground turkey in the skillet and break it up with a spatula, cook until the turkey is browned.
Transfer the mixture to a large soup pot, then add in the pumpkin puree, diced tomatoes, drained black beans, chicken broth, chili powder, sea salt, and black pepper and stir to combine.
Simmer
Cover the soup pot with a lid and simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
If desired, serve each single serving of chili topped with cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro, or avocado. Enjoy!
Turkey Pumpkin Chili
Ingredients
- ½ cup green bell pepper chopped
- ½ cup yellow bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup onion diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 TBSP vegetable oil
- 1 lb. ground turkey
- 15 oz can pumpkin puree
- 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
- 15 oz can black beans drained
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ TBSP chili powder
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- Optional Toppings: Cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro and avocado
Instructions
- Prep: Prepare the vegetables by chopping the bell peppers, dice the onion, and mince the garlic.
- Cook: In a large skillet combine the green & yellow bell pepper, onion, garlic, and vegetable oil. Cook over medium heat until the veggies are slightly soft.
- Add in the ground turkey and break it up with a spatula, cook until the turkey has browned.
- Then transfer the meat & veggies to a large soup pot, add in the pumpkin puree, diced tomatoes, drained black beans, chicken broth, chili powder, sea salt, and black pepper; stir to combine.
- Simmer: Cover the soup pot and simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve each bowl of chili topped with cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro, or avocado (if desired). Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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How long is this chili good for & how do you store it?
Turkey Pumpkin Chili can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days. For longer storage, it can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen chili in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
How can I adapt turkey pumpkin chili for a slow cooker method?
To adapt this recipe for a slow cooker, sauté the onions, garlic, and peppers in oil on the stovetop first. Then, combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours for optimal flavors.
Is it possible to make this chili without including tomatoes, and how would that alter the cooking process?
Yes, Turkey Pumpkin Chili can be made without tomatoes. Omitting them will reduce acidity and change the texture. Adjustments may include increasing the amount of broth or adding more veggies for consistency, and the cooking time may vary slightly based on ingredient moisture.
Can I use a different type of meat in this chili recipe?
Yes of course! You can use whatever type of ground meat you and your family prefer. I have made this chili recipe with ground beef, pork and turkey. There is no need to alter the cooking times if you are substituting a different ground meat, just follow the instructions as is.
What if my chili is too thick?
The consistency of this chili is usually just right, but if you feel like your chili is too thick, you can add a little bit more chicken broth to thin it out.
Is this chili recipe spicy?
There is some chili powder in the chili recipe, but I don’t think the amount makes the chili too spicy. I have a fairly low tolerance for heat and I have never felt like this recipe was spicy. You can always reduce the amount of chili powder, or you can tone down the spiciness after cooking by adding a big dollop of sour cream and a lot of cheese to your bowl before eating!
Can I freeze left over turkey pumpkin chili?
Yes, if stored properly you can definitely keep any leftover chili in the freezer. This is actually a perfect recipe to enjoy for dinner one night and freeze leftovers for another dinner night. Make sure you store your leftovers in an airtight container or Ziploc style freezer bag.
If stored properly, you can keep your leftovers frozen for a couple months. I have seen some people store it for longer, but I would err on the side of caution and wouldn’t freezer for more than a couple months. If you are going to store leftovers in your refrigerator, I would not keep it in there for more than three to four days.
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Turkey Pumpkin Chili is a healthy and filling meal made with simple ingredients and spices. Easy chili recipe that is ready in less than 30 minutes!
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