Description
Hearty pumpkin chili delivers a robust autumn blend of spices and seasonal warmth. Mexican-inspired flavors merge with comforting ingredients, satisfying deep hunger with each savory spoonful you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 (15 oz/425 g) can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 (14.5 oz/411 g) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz/425 g) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz/425 g) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) chicken or beef broth
- 2 tbsps chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil (if using lean meat)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional, for warmth)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sautéing Base: In a Dutch oven, caramelize onions and bell peppers until they release their aromatic essence, establishing a robust flavor foundation for the chili.
- Meat Preparation: Introduce ground meat to the pan, browning and crumbling while eliminating any excess fat, ensuring a lean and textured protein base.
- Spice Awakening: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, paprika, and cinnamon into the mixture, allowing the spices to bloom and intensify their deep, complex flavors.
- Pumpkin Integration: Fold in pumpkin puree, transforming the classic chili into a velvety, autumnal-inspired dish with rich, warming undertones.
- Liquid Composition: Add fire-roasted tomatoes, beans, and broth, stirring comprehensively to create a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
- Simmering and Melding: Bring the chili to a brief boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 25 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and develop a deep, nuanced taste profile.
- Finishing Touch: Adjust seasoning to taste, ensuring a perfectly balanced and deeply satisfying culinary experience before serving in hearty bowls with optional garnishes like sour cream, cheese, green onions, or tortilla chips.
Notes
- Select Ideal Pumpkin Puree: Choose 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to maintain a savory chili profile and avoid unwanted sweetness.
- Manage Meat Moisture: Pat ground meat dry before browning to ensure perfect caramelization and prevent steaming instead of searing.
- Balance Spice Complexity: Toast spices briefly before adding liquid to enhance their depth and release complex flavor compounds.
- Adjust Consistency Smartly: Add extra broth if chili becomes too thick during simmering, maintaining ideal texture without compromising rich flavor intensity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg