This sweet and spicy Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Chili is a gameday winner and all-around crowd pleaser!
You heard that right, Slow-cooker Pumpkin Chili
There are about as many opinions about how chili is supposed to be made as there are hairs on your head. Some like it hot, some not. Some like beans, some prefer to leave them out. I, personally, like my chili really thick and meaty. I like the flavors to be complex with a little heat but not so much that I can’t feel my tongue. I also like it to be convenient and I love having leftovers for the next day – which if there is anything we can all agree upon when it comes to chili it’s probably those last two things – convenience and leftovers.
This Slow-cooker Pumpkin Chili is all that and more. What makes it particularly amazing is that you get to hide extra vegetables in it. In addition to the usual tomatoes, onions, peppers and garlic there’s pumpkin – a great source of vitamin A, fiber and some healthy carbohydrates. Anytime I can hide extra vegetables in a dish I’m #winning at this mom thing.
My kids beg for this stuff because it’s only slightly spicy and the pumpkin makes it naturally sweet. It also packs well in a preheated thermos to send in their lunch boxes.
My Whole30 lifesaver
Whenever I do a Whole30 I make a double batch of this chili because I get really hungry (like man-sized appetite hungry) in the first week or two and nothing beats that hunger like a big bowl of meaty chili made with grass-fed ground beef and topped with creamy avocado. And it freezes beautifully so I portion it out into pint-sized mason jars and freeze for future meals when I need something Whole30-friendly and everyone else wants homemade pizza.
Weekday, gameday, whatever day
Three nearly indisputable things about slow-cookers and chili:
- Slow-cooker meals are perfect for weekdays because there are few things better than walking in the door after a long day at work to a hot meal waiting. Just add a salad and you’re set!
- Weekends are great for slow-cooking when you want to get out and play and have a meal to come home to. I’m famous for getting up super early on powder days to get something in the slow-cooker so we can ski all day without having to worry about making dinner. I’ll do whatever is takes to get in one more run.
- Chili and football are pretty much synonymous from what I hear (I am not a football fan whatsoever. Not even a little.) But I love a good tailgating party and chilly fall days and holding a bowl of warm and spicy chili up to my half-frozen face and taking a deep breath – inhaling the sweet smell of cinnamon, the spicy chili powder and the fresh lime and cilantro this Slow-cooker Pumpkin Chili has to offer.
Slow-cooker Pumpkin Chili is one of those foods that makes you want to just crawl into the bowl. Make you all warm and cozy on a blustery day!
Bonus: It’s Paleo, Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Whole30-friendly and even better as leftovers so consider making a double batch
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil or pure beef tallow (such as Fatworks Pure Tallow)
- 2 cups chopped yellow onion (about 1 large onion)
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ pounds grass-fed ground beef or bison
- 1 28-oz can diced tomatoes
- ½ 6-oz. can tomato paste
- 1 14-oz. can pumpkin puree
- ½ - 1 cup chicken broth or water (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 ½ tsp. dried oregano
- 2 Tbsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1½ tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add oil and saute the onions and peppers, stirring occasionally, for about 7 minutes or until onions start to soften.
- Add the garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef. Use a spatula or large spoon to break it up as it cooks. Cook until meat is nearly cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
- Transfer meat mixture to the slow cooker.
- Add remaining ingredients and stir.
- Set heat to LOW and cook for 6-7 hours. Serve with desired toppings.
How do you like your chili? Spicy? With beans? From a can? (Kidding!) Tell us about in the comments below and get the conversation started
Pin now to make later!
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This looks amazing. I am going to definitely make this. Maybe prep the night before and let cook the next day while at work. Mmmm…
Awwww thanks!
It’s great if you’re a hearty chili lover. I often prepare it up through Step 5 then put it in a container in the fridge (or you can put the slow cooker insert right into the fridge if yours is removable) – then I pop it all into the slow cooker in the morning and come home to awesomeness in a bowl.
Happy cooking and thanks for commenting!
What do you top yours with if anything?
Hey Melissa! I put a big handful of fresh spinach in my bowl then add the chili. Then I top it with lots of fresh cilantro, lime juice and avocado. Hubby and the kids like cheese and sour cream in theirs!
On the menu! Excited and hope the family likes it!
Thanks for the tip. I haven’t made it yet, but just came back to make a list of all ingredients needed. I was curious though on one thing. In your steps; you show “1/2 – 1 Cup Chicken Broth or Water.” Does that mean 1/2 a cup or do you just mean you may need anywhere from 1/2 cup to a full cup of the broth? Thanks in advance!
Yes, there is a range 1/2 – 1 cup of broth or water. How much you use will depend on how thick you like your chili and how much liquid was in your diced tomatoes, etc.
Got it – thanks!! Can’t wait to try this out. I’ll come back and rate it once I have made it. 🙂
Fantastic! Can’t wait to hear your thoughts.
Enjoy!
This looks delish! Can’t wait to try it. Thanks.
Thanks!
I hope you enjoy it – we’d love to hear what you thought of the recipe.
I tried it today. It taste kinda bland. What do you think I should add? I can’t take the spicy nor the sweet. I’m wondering where I went wrong..
Thank you
Hi Ana,
Thanks for your question. It sounds like your tastes require a bit more spice so I’d suggest adding more chili powder or even some cayenne pepper.
As for the sweet, this recipe isn’t meant to be overtly sweet – just subtly sweet from the pumpkin. However, you can certainly add a tablespoon or two of honey if you’d like yours sweeter.
This sounds delicious! Do you think some butternut squash would go well in it?
I think so! Give it a try and let us know how it turns out!
This was delicious!! I used chipotle chili powder (my current fave) and fresh ground cumin. The house smelled like autumn!! Thank you for developing and sharing this recipe!
We love this kind of feedback and so great to hear you enjoyed this recipe! Chipotle Chili Powder sounds so good – I’ll have to try that next time I make the chili!
I would like to try this with kidney and pinto beans added – would I need to add more liquid?
Hi Joan,
Yes, you would likely need more liquid as the beans will soa k up quite a bit (and this chili is naturally thick).
Enjoy!
I made this last weekend as part of my batch cooking for the week ahead, and it was perfect for work lunches all week!
It tasted kind of bland though – basically just of tomatoes and beef; I couldn’t taste the pumpkin or any of the veggies or spices even though I followed the recipe exactly. Is there anything I could do to enhance the flavors next time I make it?
Hi Jen,
Thanks for trying the recipe. The pumpkin shouldn’t have a pronounced pumpkin flavor – it’s there to add body, vitamin A, fiber and a bit of natural sweetness to compliment the chili powder.
Certainly we all have different thresholds for flavor when it comes to spice, so tasting and adjusting the level of spice is always encouraged. Because spices start to lose their potency immediately after they’re ground, we recommend that you use spices within 6 months of opening them for best results. Buying spices in bulk is a great way to get fresher spices.
I hope that helps and that you give the recipe a try again.
I’ve made this a couple of times now, and really enjoy it with the following substitution: instead of a 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes, I use a 14.5 oz can of diced tomatos and a 12-16 oz jar of salsa. It adds some of the heat I like, along with some extra flavor.
Hi MA,
Glad to hear you enjoy this recipe – your substitutions are great – thanks for sharing!
I love this recipe! I add 5 cups of cubed sweet potato and it lasts us the weekend.
We love this recipe and the addition of sweet potatoes sounds fabulous. Thanks for sharing!
Having this for lunch right now and loving it! I adjusted the cooking instructions to simmer on my stove-top instead of the crock post and it turned out lovely. Thank you for sharing!
Isn’t it so delish!? So happy to hear you love this recipe. It’s one of our faves! And good to know your stove-top version worked well for you!
Your recipe sounds delicious! I am not able to eat the canned tomatoes and tomato paste. Do you have any suggestions for a substitution or modification of the recipe?
Hi Janet! This recipe is a tomatoes based recipe so there really isn’t any substitutions that I can think of. You could try our Slow Cooker Chicken Chili recipe which is free of tomatoes and super delicious! https://therealfoodrds.com/slow-cooker-white-chicken-chili/
Made this last night and my husband LOVED it! Added a can of black beans and some chili flakes for some heat. After sitting in the crockpot, the heat was mellowed but certainly still there. Also, swapped 1 Tbl of chili powder for Ancho Chili Powder. Thank you for a winner!
Hey Amy!
You addition of ancho chili powder and red pepper flakes sounds amazing! I’m a sucker for hot and smokey chili!
Has anyone made this with cubed chicken? It looks delicious.