EASY Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili is packed full of pumpkin, ground turkey, beans, vegetables and Mexican spices. This healthy, hearty chili is perfect for chilly fall and winter nights. Serve this pumpkin chili with cornbread or tortilla chips and your favorite toppings. And be sure to keep this recipe in mind for a football watch party, game night, or office potluck!
In this Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili recipe we have the usual chili ingredients, but then we’re adding in pumpkin! Pumpkin works so well in chili recipes because it adds a wonderful creaminess and a very subtle sweet, earthy undertone that takes this recipe to a whole new level of delicious. As an added plus, pumpkin is full of a wide variety of nutrients and is an excellent source of Vitamin A and C. It’s an amazing way to make your dinner or pumpkin brownies more healthy and better for you. Who doesn’t want that?
Now I know what you might be thinking… “Mexican” and “Pumpkin” don’t usually go together, but in this recipe they combine beautifully for an absolutely wonderful flavor.
You’re going to love this pumpkin chili! It’s one of our favorite Fall Slow Cooker Meals!
Ingredients in Pumpkin Chili
I love beans in my chili, so I decided to add both black beans and kidney beans. Also, I love using ground turkey for chili as a healthy alternative to ground beef.
So what makes this chili Mexican? Well, we’re going to spice it up with green chiles, salsa verde, cumin and we’re adding in corn! For serving this chili, I love to top it with avocado, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and fresh cilantro!
How To Make Pumpkin Chili
This pumpkin chili recipe is so easy to make and only takes 5 hours in your slow cooker! First, you’ll want to brown the ground turkey in a skillet with the peppers before throwing it in the crockpot. The turkey needs to be cooked before it goes into the slow cooker so that it won’t all stick together in one big clump. The rest of the ingredients including beans, garlic, pumpkin, tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, corn, green chilies, salsa verde and spices go into the pot, then it’s time to let everything simmer away!
Tips for Slow Cooker Chili
- I use lean ground turkey. It’s got plenty of flavor without all the extra grease.
- I pre-measure my spices the night before, which makes prep time go a lot quicker when I’m trying to get everything in the slow cooker in the morning.
- This recipe makes great leftovers and meal prep. It can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to three months.
- You can use pumpkin from a can or you can easily make your own pumpkin purée for this recipe. Simply, follow my easy step-by-step “how to make pumpkin purée” guide.
- Serve your chili with plenty of toppings such as grated cheese, sour cream, onions, tomatoes, avocado, fresh cilantro or even bacon crumbles.
Pumpkin Chili Variations
While this is a super tasty version of pumpkin chili, there are many ways to customize it to your preferences.
- If you don’t want to wait for your chili to cook in the crock pot, you can make this recipe on the stove instead. Simply brown the meat and green peppers, then add the rest of the ingredients to a large pot and simmer over low heat for one hour.
- Use any variety of beans that you want. You can even make this chili beanless.
- This chili will work great with any type of ground meat you prefer. Chicken, beef or bison are all great choices.
What To Serve With Chili
Cornbread is the classic side dish for chili, and my jalapeño cornbread recipe is the best of the best! Because this chili has zesty Mexican flavors, tortilla chips or strips or even fritos are other great options. This chili is also great served over a baked potato, on a hot dog, or poured over french fries. There are so many different ways to enjoy chili and you just can’t go wrong!
Looking for more pumpkin recipes?
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Healthy Pumpkin Cookies
Pumpkin Pancakes
Jalapeno Mac and Cheese with Pumpkin Sauce
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Pumpkin Hummus
Did you make and love this recipe? Give it your review below! 👇 And make sure to share your creations by tagging me or using the hashtag #brooklynfarmgirl on Instagram!
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili
PrintIngredients
- 2 green bell peppers chopped
- 1 15 oz can can black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 15 oz can can kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
- 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 4 oz can diced green chiles
- 1/2 cup salsa verde
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a skillet, add your chopped peppers, minced garlic and ground turkey. Cook until turkey is browned.
- Put your ground turkey mixture into a slow cooker. Add all the other ingredients and stir so everything is fully mixed up.
- Cook on low for 5 hours. Serve and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream on top (optional).
Nutrition Information:
Jamie | Jamie's Recipes says
Yes! My husband just told me I haven’t made chili lately and need to remedy that ASAP. Well it has been nearly 100 here so I’m not really in the chili mood. Once the temps cool off I can’t WAIT to give this a go. Yummy!!!
Gorgeous photos as always. ๐
Pamela says
Thanks Jamie! I hear you on the weather.. it was so humid here today, looking forward to it starting to cool down!
yummychunklet says
Yummy looking pumpkin chili!
Julie @ Table for Two says
I’m so glad fall is approaching so I can enjoy the best comfort foods like this chili!!
Pamela says
Me too Julie, I can’t wait!
Kammie @ Sensual Appeal says
YES this is awesome – I’ve been thinking I should try making a chili this year. What better way than to use it with pumpkin? Make it all Autumny… great recipe!
Pamela says
Thanks Kammie! I hope you give it a try.. let me know what you think! ๐
Nik@ABrownTable says
What a lovely chili recipe, I really like the use of actual pumpkin here versus the spices!
Pamela says
Thanks Nik! I love me some pumpkin!
Tessa @ Feral Kitchen says
I love the addition of the pumpkin in the chili! Brilliant!
Pamela says
Thanks Tessa!
Nora @ Buttercream Fanatic says
Pumpkin and chili together are music to my ears!
Pamela says
They’re singing to you Nora! ๐
Monet says
Pumpkin is SO GOOD for you, and I just love that you added it to this chili recipe. I want to try this! I’m obsessed with stews, soups, and chilis once we reach September, so I will be trying this soon!
Pamela says
Thanks Monet, let me know how you like it! I love soup and chili weather, some of my favorite dinners!
tracy {pale yellow} says
I’m about three weeks away from being ready to make chili, but this recipe is a keeper for sure! I often make a black bean soup with pumpkin and the pumpkin makes the soup so creamy and delicious (and healthy!).
Pamela says
Tracy, you have got to introduce me to your black bean pumpkin soup!
Jamie@Milk 'n' Cookies says
Looks yummy! I’m always looking for new ways to spice up our chili (queen of bad puns — sorry!). Love this pumpkin-filled version.
Also, I love your creative re-purposing of the clown costumes. I think that’s awesome. Hey, I used an old pillowcase in one of my shots (don’t worry — it was clean!)
Pamela says
Jamie, I love your puns, keep them coming! Also I love the idea of the pillowcase.. crafty!
Juliana says
Pumpkin chili? Sounds and looks delicious Pam…and the bowls are so cute…I love it!
Hope you are having a great week ๐
Pamela says
Thanks Juliana! I found these bowls at my local dollar store.. they were a great find! I’m always tempted to pick up a few more!
Katie says
I’ve made a very similar recipe int eh past and served it in a PUMPKIN BOWL. It was great. and fun. And great fun!
Pamela says
How cute Katie!
Mary Frances @ The Sweet {Tooth} Life says
Talk about fall comfort food in a bowl! I have wanted to use pumpkin in a soup, but wanted it to be one my family would eat. This definitely looks like the one! Pinning for future use!
Pamela says
Great to hear Mary Frances, hope you and your whole family enjoys it!
abby says
omg i definitely want to try this out. i was just thinking what my first pumpkin recipe should be for this season. i love chilli and pumpkin and the mix sounds delicious.
i definitely will have this on my calendar as the first pumpkin recipe ! i will definitely blog about it when I do
Pamela says
You’re the best Abby! Let me know how it turns out…. hope it’s a delicious chili dinner for you! ๐
Sophie33 says
What a grand looking chili! I love it too! ๐ Yummm! Great & fun pics too! x
Pamela says
Thanks Sophie!
Aimee / Wallflower Girl says
Well, thats the prettiest clown costume I’ve seen! And I love the idea of mixing pumpkin with mexican flavours, sounds very interesting. I’m really craving autumn food lately so this is something I’d love to try ๐
Pamela says
Thank Aimee! Clowns just have the best style! I can’t wait for Fall! ๐
The Squishy Monster says
I love, love, love that there’s pumpkin in this…really jazzes it up and makes it interesting!
Pamela says
Thank you! It’s a chili winner!
laurasmess says
Yum yum yum yum (that’s my stomach singing to the tune of Mexican pumpkin goodness!). This recipe looks awesome. I am a huge fan of chilli, with a big helping of sour cream, coriander and cheese (oh, and corn chips. I love corn chips). It’s moving towards Spring/Summer here in Perth, Australia and I am bookmarking this for balmy Summer nights, chili with some tunes and a bottle of Corona on the side. Good times. Thanks lovely xx
Pamela says
That sounds like such a lovely night, I wish I could stop by and sing yum yum yum yum with you! Enjoy!
Pam says
What a great looking chili – love the pumpkin added in there. It looks hearty and so delicious.
Pamela says
Thanks Pam!
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says
This sounds AWESOME! I made a pumpkin chili myself last year, it lends itself well to sooo many savory dishes!
Pamela says
Isn’t it just super yummy Sophia? Definitely one of my favorite ways to make chili!
Amy @ Elephant Eats says
This chili looks so yummy! I love when it’s chock full of veggies and is super chunky. Great idea to add some pumpkin puree. I’m going to make this soon for sure- I need to freeze some healthy meals for my hubs for when I’m gone for a full week soon.
Pamela says
You are the bestest wife Amy! ๐
Jaclyn says
Chili sounds amaazzing right now. The weather has finally cooled off the past couple of days and I’m craving fall comfort food!
Pamela says
Me too Jaclyn! I love Fall food, some of the best!
Francine says
Perfect. The dude loves ground turkey. Totally making this one when it gets colder. Thank you!
Pamela says
Enjoy Francine and dude! ๐
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
I actually think Mexican and pumpkin go great together! I made pumpkin chili once but it didn’t turn out quite the way I wanted it to. Think I will give it another chance with your recipe though!
Pamela says
Let me know how you like it Davida! ๐
Ashley says
I’ve started to crave soups lately and this chili sounds delicious. I love the idea of the pumpkin in here! And I love all the beans – I like a lot in my chili too!
Pamela says
I can’t wait for nonstop soup weather Ashley! ๐
Madison says
YAY–pumpkin! This combines two of my favorite things: pumpkin and mexican. Perfecto! Thank you for sharing.
Pamela says
Enjoy Madison!
veganmiam.com says
I’ve never thought about Mexican food and pumpkin together. When it comes to pumpkin, it is always pumpkin pie or Thanksgiving for me! Thanks for sharing the healthy facts on pumpkin – nice that it helps support healthy digestion!
Pamela says
I love me some pumpkin pie and pumpkin treats, but it does wonders in dinner dishes too! Pumpkins, aren’t they just the best?
Sarah | The Sugar Hit says
Gorgeous photos! And this sounds lovely.
Pamela says
Thanks Sarah!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
Oh I totally think Mexican and pumpkin go together. Why not?! Looks delicious!
Pamela says
Thanks Ashley!
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says
Most pumpkin chili I have seen uses pumpkin pie spice. I’m intrigued by the use of pumpkin puree. Sounds amazing and perfect for fall! Pinning! ๐
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says
Ha! I hit send to quickly. ๐ I love those cute bowls you are using for this dish. Totally adorable!
Pamela says
Thanks Anne! I hope you give it a try for Fall! And thanks for the bowl love.. they were amazing dollar store finds!