Recipe Developed by Jondi Soper

When I first heard about pumpkin chili, I seriously thought it sounded like the most horrible thing in the world. But then someone made it for me. It is the smoothest, most wonderful version of chili I think I have ever had and it is a perfect meal for a game night with your friends because you can make a big pot of chili and it serves everyone. No hassle!

You can decrease the amount you use for each ingredient if you want to make less, but keep in mind that chili reheats and makes for great lunches or quick dinners. Plus you can freeze it and thaw it out for another time.

This recipe is kind of like my kitchen legacy game. I am always adding new things or changing it in some way. For example, my brother-in-law requested a chili with no beans…so I added more ground chuck and nixed the beans. Sometimes I add more sugar and pumpkin pie spice for a sweeter chili. Other times I add more chili powder to give it a bit more oomph. Chili can be done so many ways, don’t be afraid to experiment with it!

Print Recipe

Crock Pot Pumpkin Chili

Course

Entree

Servings

Ingredients

• 1 lbs ground chuck
• 15 oz dark red kidney beans
• 15 oz light red kidney beans
• 1 can pumpkin puree (15oz can)
• 1 onion diced
• 1 green bell pepper diced
• 24 oz tomato juice
• 28 oz tomatoes peeled, diced or crushed
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 glove garlic diced
• 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp granulated sugar

Course Entree Servings Ingredients 1 lbs ground chuck 15 oz dark red kidney beans 15 oz light red kidney beans 1 can pumpkin puree (15oz can) 1 onion diced 1 green bell pepper diced 24 oz tomato juice 28 oz tomatoes peeled, diced or crushed 1 cup chicken broth 1 glove garlic diced 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper 2 tsp cumin 1 tsp chili powder 2 tsp granulated sugar

Instructions

1. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground chuck, drain.
2. Stir in onion, bell pepper and garlic. Cook five minutes.
3. Pour the ground chuck mixture into the crock pot and add the kidney beans, tomatoes, chicken brother and pumpkin puree. Stir together.
4. Slowly add the tomato juice until you reach your desired thickness.
5. Add Pumpkin Pie Spice, Cumin, Chili Powder and granulated sugar. Stir. (Add more to taste)
6. Add in salt and pepper.
7. Turn crock pot on high and cook for 4 hours.
8. Turn crock pot down to low or warm and let simmer.
9. Serve and enjoy. I like to mix my chili with sour cream, cheese and crackers!

Recipe Notes

To make your own pumpkin puree: select a pumpkin of any size. Preferably a good sized pumpkin if you wish to yield more than one or two dishes from it. The puree freezes well and can be used over the year. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Cut the pumpkin in half from stem to base. Remove seeds and pulp. Cover each side with foil and bake for 1 hour or until tender. Scoop out the meat of the pumpkin and puree in a blender. Strain to remove any additional pulp. Puree can be stored in the freezer in freezer bags or plastic containers.