This Turkey Pumpkin Chili recipe is the perfect healthy, warm & comforting fall meal, packed with ground turkey, beans, and fresh pumpkin. It’s ready in 30 minutes and it’s perfect for meal prep!
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Chili is one of our favourite fall comfort foods and this Pumpkin Chili recipe is one of the BEST! It’s so warm and comforting, it’s filling and hearty, and it’s packed with fresh pumpkin. It’s great for meal prep and family meals, and it makes the perfect freezer meal too! It’s one of our family’s go-to easy, healthy meals for fall – we know you’re going to love it as much as we do!
Pumpkin chili is a warm, hearty chili that combines the earthy flavours of fresh pumpkin with the spicy and savoury flavours of a traditional chili. Pumpkin chili incorporates chunks of fresh pumpkin, which not only adds a sweetness and creamy texture, but also adds a lot of nutrition. Pumpkin chili is warm and comforting, and it’s a favourite of anyone who loves a sweet-and-salty combination.
There are so many reasons to love this pumpkin chili – here are just a few!
- It’s EASY to make. Just one pot and about 30 minutes is all it takes to make this delicious chili!
- It’s FREEZER friendly. We love freezing a batch of it for upcoming busy weeknights.
- It’s HEALTHY. Packed with lean protein, veggies, beans, and pumpkin, it’s a healthy meal that’s low in fat.
- It’s great for MEAL PREP. Make a big batch at the beginning of the week and enjoy it for take-to-work lunches.
- It’s VERSATILE. Prefer butternut squash? Add that instead of pumpkin. Want to use beef instead of turkey? Go ahead. This recipe is incredibly versatile!
- It’s a great way to use up FRESH PUMPKIN. If your garden is teeming with fresh pumpkin or if your local market has pumpkins on sale in the fall, this recipe is a great way to use it up!
Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned home cook, here are all our best helpful tips and tricks to making the BEST homemade healthy pumpkin chili!
For added flavour, always brown your ground turkey. It enhances the flavour of the chili tremendously and it also creates a great texture.
One of the best things about chili is its flavour, so don’t skip the dried herbs and spices that give this turkey chili its delicious taste!
Vegetables up the health factor of this dish, no doubt, but they also add a lot of flavour and texture. The peppers and onion add sweetness and the pumpkin adds a special flavour that makes this chili delicious.
We know, we know – 30 minutes is a really short cooking time for chili. The beauty of this recipe is, you can make it in as little as 30 minutes OR you can let it simmer for hours on low on the stove or in the Crock Pot!
A big bowl of this pumpkin chili is just begging for toppings like diced onions, shredded cheese, chopped avocado, and even sour cream. These toppings add so much flavour!
Here’s a list of basic kitchen equipment you’ll need to make this delicious turkey pumpkin chili recipe (paid links):
- Cutting Board
- large knife
- Garlic Press
- wooden spoon
- mixing bowls
- liquid measuring cups
- Large Pot
- large dutch oven pot
- Strainer
Here’s a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this easy Turkey Pumpkin Chili recipe (paid links):
- lean ground turkey (alternatively you can use chicken, beef, or pork)
- salt and pepper
- red onions
- green bell pepper (red bell pepper also works)
- garlic cloves
- tomato paste
- fresh cubed pumpkin
- white beans (canned)
- kidney beans (canned)
- canned pumpkin puree
- diced tomatoes (canned)
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- thyme
- oregano
- smoked paprika
- chili powder
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- cloves
- allspice
- cumin
- chicken broth
Here are some of our favourite recipes we love to serve alongside this pumpkin chili recipe:
- Quick No Knead Bread
- Cornbread Muffins
- Easy Homemade French Bread
- No Knead Whole Wheat Bread
- Best Classic Scones
- Healthier Low Fat Cornbread
- Best Ever Rosemary Focaccia Bread
- Homemade Biscuits
- Healthy Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins
Looking to try something new? Try one of these delicious variations on the basic pumpkin chili recipe!
- Spicy Turkey: For those who love a kick, increase the amount of chili powder, cayenne pepper, or even add diced jalapeños to the recipe.
- Vegetarian: Use a plant-based ground meat substitute and vegetable broth as alternatives, without losing that classic chili texture.
- Sweet Potato: Add cubes of sweet potato instead of pumpkin for a sweeter version that adds both nutrition and flavour.
- Quinoa: Add cooked quinoa at the end of cooking for a unique texture and added protein and fibre.
- Corn and Black Beans: Add corn and black beans for a Southwestern twist on this recipe.
- Beer: Add your favourite beer to the chili instead of the chicken stock. Be sure to let it cook well before serving.
Time needed: 30 minutes
Follow these steps to make the best pumpkin chili recipe!
- Prepare the pot.
Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil.
- Brown the meat.
Brown the turkey for about 5 minutes then add the onion, garlic, peppers, and cubed pumpkin.
- Soften the veggies.
Continue cooking for a few minutes more, just until the veggies begin to soften.
- Add the tomato paste.
Add the tomato paste and sauté until fragrant and darker in colour.
- Add all the other ingredients.
Add the beans, canned tomatoes, canned pumpkin puree, along with all the herbs and spices and broth, and stir everything together well.
- Cook covered.
Place the lid on the pot and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring regularly. You can also turn the heat to low and cook for up to one hour on low heat, stirring regularly.
- Serve and enjoy.
Serve with a dollop of sour cream, chopped red onions, avocado, cheese, or whatever toppings you like!
Can I add extra vegetables to my pumpkin chili?
Can I add extra vegetables to my pumpkin chili?
Yes! Feel free to add up to one cup of extra chopped veggies.
Can I make my chili without beans?
Yes, feel free to add extra veggies, like chopped sweet potatoes or corn instead of beans.
What’s the secret to thick chili?
Avoid adding too much liquid to ensure your chili stays thick. You can also cook it for a longer period of time so the flavours blend well and the extra liquid evaporates.
Can I make pumpkin chili ahead of time?
Yes! Feel free to make it and serve it within 3 days of cooking. Be sure to store it in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to reheat and serve. Reheat it in the microwave or in a pot on the stove over medium-low heat.
How do I make my chili spicier?
Add some chili flakes, cayenne pepper or other spice to your chili to make it spicy. You can also serve it with chopped jalapeños for added heat.
Can I freeze turkey pumpkin chili?
Yes! Freeze it in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Thaw it in the fridge for 24 hours before reheating and serving.
What are some good toppings for pumpkin chili?
We love topping our turkey pumpkin chili with red onions, avocado, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese, but you can also add chopped tomatoes, a scoop of guacamole, crushed tortilla chips, or anything else you like!
Can I use pumpkin pie spice instead of the individual spices?
Yes, feel free to add pumpkin pie spice to this chili recipe.
Do I have to use ground turkey in this recipe?
Ground beef, ground chicken, or even ground pork are a great addition to this recipe instead of the ground turkey. You can also use a combination of two kinds of meat.
Is pumpkin chili gluten-free?
Yes, as long as you use gluten-free ingredients this recipe is gluten-free.
We hope you love this pumpkin turkey chili recipe as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite fall comfort food? We’d love to know!
More Comfort Food Recipes
- Best Banana Bread
- Meatball Soup
- Pot Roast
- No Knead Honey Oat Artisan Bread
- Crock Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
- Homemade Biscuits
- Quick Dinner Rolls – Ready in one hour!
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Mississippi Pot Roast
- Air Fryer Garlic Bread
- Minestrone Soup
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Pumpkin Chili
Recipe: Equipment
Recipe: Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 medium red onions
- 1 green bell pepper
- 4 cups pumpkin cubed
- 4-6 cloves garlic
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- 14 ounces canned white beans drained and rinsed
- 14 ounces canned kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 14 ounces pumpkin puree
- 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 3 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder or more if you like more spice
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon cloves
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 3 cups chicken stock
Recipe: Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil.
- Brown the turkey for about 5 minutes, season it with salt and pepper, and then add the onion, garlic, peppers, and cubed pumpkin.
- Continue cooking for a few more minutes, just until the veggies begin to soften.
- Add the tomato paste and sauté until fragrant and darker in color.
- Add the beans, canned tomatoes, canned pumpkin puree, along with all the herbs and spices and stock and stir everything together well.
- Place the lid on the pot and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring regularly. You can also turn the heat to low and cook for up to one hour on low heat, stirring regularly.
- Serve with a dollop of sour cream, chopped red onions, avocado, cheese, or whatever toppings you like!
Recipe: Notes
Storage Instructions
Store any leftover chili in the fridge for 3 daysFreezer Instructions
This recipe freezes well and can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 6 months.Recipe: Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.