Easy Crockpot Turkey Pumpkin Chili Recipe (2024)

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This turkey pumpkin chili is a fresh and healthy spin on a classic dish. It’s got the complex and spicy flavors of a traditional chili, but with an extra layer of richness from pumpkin puree. Plus, you make it in the crockpot, so it requires very little effort!

Easy Crockpot Turkey Pumpkin Chili Recipe (1)

Table of Contents

  • What Does Pumpkin Add to Chili?
  • Recipe Ingredients
  • How to Make Crockpot Turkey Pumpkin Chili
  • Tips for Success
  • Turkey Pumpkin Chili Topping Ideas
  • What Goes With Turkey Pumpkin Chili?
  • How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
  • More Cozy Soups and Chilis
  • Crockpot Turkey Pumpkin Chili Recipe

We probably all agree that chili is a nearly perfect food for when the weather starts to get cold. What could possibly be cozier than a warm bowl of spicy, meaty, hearty chili?

This turkey chili has all the flavors that you love in chili, but it adds a new ingredient: pumpkin. Using turkey instead of beef makes this a healthier chili than the average recipe, and it all comes together easily in a crockpot. In other words, this recipe is easy, healthy, and most importantly, mouth-watering. It’s sure to become a fall staple in your kitchen.

What Does Pumpkin Add to Chili?

I know what you’re thinking: pumpkin is a pretty unique ingredient for a chili recipe. But trust me when I say that it works wonders!

The pumpkin flavor isn’t strong enough to really stand out. If you gave someone a bowl of this chili without telling them what was in it, they probably wouldn’t guess that pumpkin was an ingredient. What it does do is add extra depth to the hearty chili, while also thickening the recipe.

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s everything you need to make crockpot turkey pumpkin chili. Make sure to check out the recipe card at the bottom of the article to find the exact ingredient quantities.

  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Onion – You can use any kind of onion, but yellow onions are the most traditional for making chili.
  • Green bell pepper
  • Jalapeños
  • Garlic
  • Ground turkey
  • Diced tomatoes – You want to use the liquid from the canned tomatoes too, so don’t drain them.
  • Pumpkin puree – It’s very important that you use pumpkin puree, and not pumpkin pie filling, which is sweet and seasoned.
  • Kidney beans
  • Water
  • Chili powder
  • Ground cumin
  • Salt
  • Ground black pepper

Can You Use Ground Beef or Ground Chicken Instead?

I love to use ground turkey in this crockpot chili for two reasons. First, it’s a lean protein, which makes it quite a bit healthier than ground beef. And second, turkey goes very well with the flavors in this chili, like the green bell peppers and kidney beans, which makes it a tastier option than ground chicken in my eyes (and stomach).

With that said, you can use any kind of ground meat you’d like! This recipe works with ground beef, ground chicken, ground pork, or a ground meat substitute.

Easy Crockpot Turkey Pumpkin Chili Recipe (2)

How to Make Crockpot Turkey Pumpkin Chili

Thanks to the use of a crockpot, this chili recipe is very easy to make. Only a few steps stand between you and a mouth-watering meal.

  • Cook the turkey. In a small pan, cook the ground turkey. You don’t need to cook it all the way through, just enough that you can start to really break it up into small pieces.
  • Add all the ingredients together. Put the turkey and all the other ingredients into the crockpot. Stir until everything has mixed together. It may take a little bit of effort to get the pumpkin puree to mix with the other ingredients.
  • Cook. Cook the pumpkin chili for 3-4 hours on high, or for 5-6 hours on low.
  • Garnish and serve. Your chili is ready to serve! Top it with your preferred garnishes, and dig in.
Easy Crockpot Turkey Pumpkin Chili Recipe (3)

Tips for Success

Here are a few tricks for making sure your chili is perfect every time.

  • Brown the turkey. Even though you don’t need to cook the turkey all the way through before adding it to the crockpot, try to get some color on it. A little bit of browning on the turkey will add both flavor and texture to your chili.
  • Adjust the seasonings. If you like spicier food, add extra chili powder or jalapeños. If you like your chili to have even more flavor, increase the ground cumin and garlic. You can adjust the recipe to match your palate.
  • Rinse the kidney beans. The liquid in canned kidney beans can really change the texture of your chili, so make sure you rinse them before putting them in the crockpot.

Turkey Pumpkin Chili Topping Ideas

You can top this cozy chili with pretty much any garnish that you please. Here are some of my favorites.

  • Shredded cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Green onions
  • Avocado
  • Cilantro
  • Tortilla strips
  • Diced onions
  • Fresh tomatoes
  • Jalapeños
  • Hot sauce

What Goes With Turkey Pumpkin Chili?

This recipe works very well on its own, but it’s even better if you pair it with some other tasty fall dishes. Here are a few things I love to serve with this chili.

  • Pistachio pesto brussels sprouts
  • Scalloped potatoes
  • Corn casserole
  • Crazy roasted cauliflower
  • Garlic roasted green beans

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

You can store this turkey pumpkin chili in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. If frozen, thaw first, then reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

More Cozy Soups and Chilis

If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to check out a few of my other favorite soups and chilis for sweater weather.

  • Instant pot sausage and herbed white bean soup
  • Nourishing pumpkin wild rice soup
  • Leftover turkey and dumpling soup
  • Slow cooker chorizo, potato, and two-bean chili
Easy Crockpot Turkey Pumpkin Chili Recipe (4)

Easy Crockpot Turkey Pumpkin Chili Recipe (5)

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Crockpot Turkey Pumpkin Chili

By: Julie Chiou

This turkey pumpkin chili recipe has all the flavors of chili that you love. Pumpkin gives it a thicker texture, while turkey makes the recipe a little bit healthier. Plus it's made in the crockpot, so it's very easy.

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 6 hours hours

Total Time: 6 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
  • 2 jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 pound (454 g) ground turkey
  • 14.5 ounce (411 g) can diced tomatoes, with the liquid
  • 15 ounce (425 g) can pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling
  • 15 ounce (425 g) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 ½ cup (355 ml) water
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan, cook the ground turkey halfway through, just enough so you can break it into smaller pieces.

  • Then add the turkey and all the other ingredients into the insert of a 6 quart crockpot. Stir or whisk everything together until the pumpkin puree has been dissolved or broken up.

  • Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours.

  • Serve warm and top with whatever toppings you like (cheese, sour cream, green onions, etc.)

  • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25of recipe, Calories: 379kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 18g, Fiber: 11g, Sugar: 10g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

Photography by Eat Love Eats

Easy Crockpot Turkey Pumpkin Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do I thicken up my crockpot chili? ›

Mix in a scoop of cornstarch, all-purpose flour, or oats.

Rather than adding it directly to the chili (which can create clumps) make a slurry. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water, then stir this into the pot of chili. For 1 tablespoon of flour, use 2 tablespoons of water.

Does chili taste better in the crockpot? ›

Sure, there are plenty of other amazing chili recipes that are cooked on the stovetop, like beef and bean chili or white chicken chili. However, many of the ingredients in traditional chili (like onions and garlic) and dried spices (like chili powder and cumin) develop excellent flavor thanks to low-and-slow cooking.

What liquid to add to chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

How do you make chili more flavorful? ›

Elevate with Extra Flavor

Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Chili should be thick and hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but sometimes there's just a bit more liquid than you want in the pot. While you can simply keep simmering the chili, that method risks overcooking softer ingredients like the beans, losing all your nice texture to mushy monotony.

What is the best ingredient to thicken chili? ›

The good news is there are lots of easy ways to thicken up your chili with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry— flour, cornmeal, pureed beans, cornstarch, or even crushed tortilla chips will help do the job, along with some good old extra simmering time.

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Add a touch of sweetness

Chili is rich, deep and often spicy, so adding a sweet ingredient is a great way to create balanced flavor. We've found that adding diced carrots is the easiest way to add natural sweetness, but you can also use vegetables like sweet potatoes or winter squash.

How long can you leave chili in a crockpot on low? ›

6–8 hours. If it is ground beef and beans, 6 hours is good. If it is regular meat then 8 will be more tender.

What is the most flavorful meat for chili? ›

The best chili meat is a combination of meats, often a mix of ground chuck, ground sirloin, brisket, diced tri-tip, and/or some bacon or sausage. Do your best to mix smaller pieces with larger pieces to stack textures and make it your own! Happy cooking!

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

Does chili need tomato paste? ›

Tomato paste is a great way to add bonus tomato flavor, and thickness, to a chili recipe. To get the best flavor it needs to be browned. Add a couple tablespoons (or a whole can if you want a thicker soup base) directly to the pan after cooking the meat and onions.

Do you cook onions or meat first for chili? ›

In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil and add the onions, garlic, and red pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the beef and increase the heat to high. Cook, stirring with wooden spoon to break up the meat, until the beef is browned, 10 to 12 minutes.

What does tomato paste do for chili? ›

The tomato paste adds color and rich flavor to our chili. Now we have our flavorful base, you are going to finish the chili with pureed tomatoes, beef broth (or chicken broth), and beans. Beans make this chili hearty — I like pinto beans or kidney beans.

What are the best beans for chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

How do I thicken my slow cooker? ›

A cornstarch slurry is a mixture of a cold liquid with cornstarch. It is used as a thickening agent, and is particularly common in Asian sauces. As a rule of thumb, dissolve 2 parts cold water and 1 part cornstarch. Add the slurry to your sauce as it simmers in the slow cooker.

What can I add to chili to make it more soupy? ›

Add more water or tomato sauce if it's too thick. Keeping the lid on can keep the steam in resulting in thinner chili. Also, if I cook chili in the crock pot it is usually thinner, as the lid collects the steam rather than it evaporating.

How do you make soupy chili thicker? ›

Add cornstarch or all-purpose flour: Cornstarch and all-purpose flour are common thickening agents that you might already have on hand in your pantry. Adding flour directly into the chili will create lumps. Instead, make a slurry by mixing one tablespoon of cold water with one tablespoon of cornstarch.

How do you keep chili from getting watery in a slow cooker? ›

If our chili turns our watery or think, we have tried many ways to thicken it up. You can thicken your chili just by simple taking off the lid of your crock pot. It can also be thicken by adding cornstarch or flour. These thickening agents are pantry staples that your probably already have.

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