Description
This easy pumpkin chili recipe combines the hearty flavors of ground beef, beans, and diced tomatoes with the subtle sweetness of pumpkin puree and a rich blend of chili spices. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this chili simmers to perfection in a large pot, delivering a comforting and nutritious meal.
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 carefully to ensure even cooking and release of flavors.
- Sauté aromatics: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and diced onion, then sauté until the onions are tender and translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
- Brown the beef: Add the ground beef to the pot with the aromatics. Cook while stirring occasionally until the beef is fully browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients: Incorporate the drained kidney beans, drained black beans, diced tomatoes with juices, pumpkin purée, tomato paste, water, and all the chili seasonings into the pot. Stir thoroughly to combine all the flavors.
- Simmer the chili: Cover the pot with a lid and bring the chili up to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Let it simmer for 30 minutes stirring occasionally to meld the flavors and thicken the chili.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: After simmering, taste the chili and adjust salt if necessary. Serve the chili hot with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, or corn chips.
Notes
- You can substitute the homemade chili seasoning with a store-bought chili seasoning mix if preferred.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based ground meat or omit it and add extra beans.
- Serve with toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, or chopped green onions for added creaminess and flavor.
- Use a Dutch oven or any heavy-bottomed large pot for even heat distribution during simmering.
- Simmering longer can deepen the flavor, so feel free to extend simmer time up to 45 minutes if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.25 cups
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
