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You are here: Home / Family Food / Why You Should Try Making This Hearty Pumpkin Chili

Why You Should Try Making This Hearty Pumpkin Chili

September 21, 2024 by Racquel Bregg

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I know what some of you might be thinking…Pumpkin + Chili?!?! Have I lost my mind? That’s about the reaction I got from my husband when I told him I was making chili for dinner (for guests) and sent him to the store for pumpkin. He also announced to our dinner guests after I told them we were having Pumpkin Chili that “this could be an epic fail”. Thanks for your vote of confidence sweetie. The dinner guests loved my Pumpkin Chili Soup and so did my husband and it’s definitely a recipe we’ll make again. The unique flavor combination comes together for a perfect fall chili.

Looking for the best pumpkin chili recipe? You will love this hearty pot of chili. This recipe was first published November 6, 2016 but I have added a recipe card and republished it here for my new readers to enjoy. Be sure to pin this recipe for later!

Delicious Fall Pumpkin Chili Recipe

Pumpkin Chili Soup

Making pumpkin chili can be a delicious and healthy twist on traditional chili. Here are some reasons to give it a try:

  1. Nutritional boost: Pumpkin is rich in vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants, adding nutritional value to your chili.
  2. Creamy texture: Pumpkin gives the chili a creamy, hearty texture without the need for dairy or heavy thickeners.
  3. Seasonal flavor: It’s perfect for fall and adds a slightly sweet, earthy flavor that pairs well with the spiciness of chili.
  4. Versatility: It works in both vegan and meat-based chili recipes, making it adaptable for various diets.
  5. Color: The bright orange of pumpkin adds a vibrant, autumnal look to your dish.

Is chili a soup?

Chili is generally considered a stew, not a soup. The main difference between soups and stews lies in their consistency and ingredient composition. Chili tends to be thicker, with less liquid and heartier ingredients like beans, meat, and tomatoes, which are cooked together slowly, much like a stew. Soup, on the other hand, usually has more broth or liquid. That said, some chili recipes can be more soup-like, depending on how they’re prepared! This one is actually more stew like.

Chili Ingredients:

  • 3 lbs lean ground beef
  • 30 ounces canned pumpkin purée (or homemade pumpkin puree)
  • 46 ounces vegetable juice
  • 30 petite diced tomatoes
  • 20 ounces diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 16 ounces black beans – drained and rinsed (may sub pinto beans)
  • 40 ounces light red kidney beans – drained and rinsed
  • 1 medium red onion – diced (may sub yellow onion)
  • chili powder to taste
  • cumin to taste
  • red pepper flakes to taste
  • garlic powder to taste
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp of cloves
  • pinch of ginger
  • pinch of all spice
Pumpkin Chili Recipe

How To Make Pumpkin Chili Soup:

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet. Drain and rinse and return to the pan. Season with the chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

While the ground beef is browning, pour the pumpkin into a large stock pot. Over a low heat, stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and all spice.  Add 1/2 of the vegetable juice and stir until smooth.

Add the diced tomatoes and the the beans to the pumpkin mixture.

Once the beef is cooked through and seasoned, add the diced onion and continue cooking until the onion is tender.

When the onion is tender add the beef to the tomato, bean, and pumpkin mixture.  Stir in the remaining vegetable juice and simmer over low/medium heat until you are ready to serve the pumpkin chili soup. You can serve as is or garnish with sliced, green onions, chopped chives, grated cheddar cheese, and/or sour cream.

If you have leftovers, they are even better the next day. You serve with white rice one night and tortilla chips the next.

Printable Pumpkin Chili Recipe Card

Hearty Pumpkin Chili Soup Recipe

Print this recipe
September 21, 2024
by Racquel Bregg
Cuisine American
Category Family Food
A delicious hearty pumpkin chili soup that is perfect for the fall.
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
45 minutes
Total Time
1 hour
Rate this recipe
|
21 ratings
Pumpkin Chili recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs. ground beef
  • 30 oz. pumpkin puree
  • 46 oz. vegetable stock
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, diced
  • 20 oz. diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 16 oz. black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 40 oz. light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 medium red onion, diced
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp of cloves
  • 1/4 tsp of ginger
  • 1/4 tsp of all spice

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet. Drain and rinse and return to the pan. Season with the chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
  2. While the ground beef is browning, pour the pumpkin into a large stock pot. Over a low heat, stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and all spice. Add 1/2 of the vegetable juice and stir until smooth.
  3. Add the diced tomatoes and the the beans to the pumpkin mixture.
  4. Once the beef is cooked through and seasoned, add the diced onion and continue cooking until the onion is tender.
  5. When the onion is tender add the beef to the tomato, bean, and pumpkin mixture. Stir in the remaining vegetable juice and simmer over low/medium heat until you are ready to serve the pumpkin chili soup. You can serve as is or garnish with chopped chives, grated cheddar, and/or sour cream.

Nutrition Facts

Hearty Pumpkin Chili Soup Recipe

Serves:

Amount Per Serving:
Calories 1415.82 kcal
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6.15 g 9.2%
Saturated Fat 1.15 g 5%
Trans Fat 0.0 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg 0%
Sodium 957.76 mg 39.9%
Total Carbohydrate 260.03 g 86.7%
Dietary Fiber 67.44 g 268%
Sugars 16.01 g
Protein 91.49 g
Vitamin A 137.7 µg Vitamin C 45.76 mg
Calcium 484.89 mg Iron 27.08 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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Tags

beef recipes,
Pumpkin Recipes,
soup recipes
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Conclusion

Is pumpkin chili good? Yes, pumpkin chili taste really good! The addition of pumpkin provides a unique flavor and creamy texture that balances the spices in chili. The natural sweetness of the pumpkin complements the heat and richness of traditional chili ingredients like tomatoes, beans, and spices. It’s also healthier due to the vitamins and fiber pumpkin brings to the dish.

This hearty pumpkin chili with warm spices would be great to add to your Thanksgiving meal planning. Something easy to put in the slow cooker for the busy days before the holiday when there is so much cooking to do! I know that here in Michigan, November also means hunting season and this would be a great soup to have on hand for the hunters in your house.  If you have extra leftover, you can always freeze bean soup.

Don’t you just love pumpkin this time of year? It is so full of flavor and nutrition. Do you have a favorite, unique chili recipe? What are your favorite chili toppings?

Related Recipes:

Lamb Chili Recipe With White Beans And Wild Rice

Sauces That Go With Lamb

Easy CrockPot Chili With Cornbread On Top

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa | Garlic and Zest says

    December 20, 2016 at 5:04 pm

    Pumpkin in chili- it was the perfect addition!! I love chili — especially with beans! What a delicious fall/winter flavor combination! Healthy and yummy!

  2. J @ Bless Her Heart Y'all says

    December 20, 2016 at 6:16 pm

    Sounds like a very delicious twist on an old time comfort food. Nothing like a tasty stick-to-your-rubs meal that includes yummy pumpkin! 🙂

  3. Cutting Edger says

    September 23, 2024 at 12:24 am

    This pumpkin chili was delicious! I love hearty meals for the fall. What a great way to use pumpkin beyond the usual pies and lattes! This recipe chili was both comforting and nutritious. Thanks for sharing your recipe with pumpkin!

  4. Deccan spark says

    September 23, 2024 at 8:12 am

    Family Focus Blog offers valuable parenting tips, family-friendly activities, and sustainable living advice, helping families live healthier and more connected lives. Its practical content and heartwarming stories make it a go-to resource for parents seeking balance and inspiration.

    You have done it again with this fun pumpkin chili recipe that will make it easier to get more veggies into my child’s diet. Thanks!

  5. WebAsha Technologies says

    September 24, 2024 at 1:36 am

    This hearty pumpkin chili sounds absolutely delicious! I love how you’ve combined the comforting flavors of chili with the seasonal goodness of pumpkin. It’s a perfect dish for fall and a great way to incorporate more vegetables into meals. The idea of adding spices to enhance the pumpkin’s natural sweetness is brilliant! I can’t wait to try this recipe—it’s sure to warm you up on a chilly day. Thanks for sharing such a tasty and nutritious idea!

  6. Jean says

    September 25, 2024 at 11:57 pm

    Wow, this pumpkin chili looks delicious! I love how you’ve combined the warmth of chili with the seasonal flavor of pumpkin. Perfect for a cozy fall dinner! Can’t wait to try this recipe with my family. Thanks for sharing

  7. William says

    September 26, 2024 at 6:19 am

    This pumpkin chili was absolutely delicious! It was a great idea to combine pumpkin with chili— such a unique twist on a classic dish. Perfect for cozy fall nights!

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Thanks for reading Family Focus Blog, a parenting and lifestyle blog that provides tips, advice, and inspiration for families. It covers a wide range of topics, including parenting tips, family-friendly recipes, eco-friendly living, family travel, home decor, and family activities. The blog was created in 2010 by Nashville mom blogger, Scarlet Paolicchi. She shares her personal experiences and practical advice for raising children and maintaining a balanced family life. Scarlet Paolicchi is the author of four books, available through her affiliate link on Amazon.

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