Savory Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili for Easy Fall Nights (Print Version)
Make savory Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili for easy fall nights. This comforting recipe blends pumpkin, beans, and spices for a hearty, warming meal.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 6 Hours minutes
Total Time: 26 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains meat
# Ingredients:
→ Chili Base
01 -
1 lb lean ground beef
02 -
1 large onion, chopped
03 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
04 -
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree (NOT pie filling)
05 -
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
06 -
1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
07 -
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
08 -
2 cups beef broth
→ Flavor Builders
09 -
2 tbsp chili powder
10 -
1 tbsp ground cumin
11 -
1 tsp smoked paprika
12 -
1/2 tsp brown sugar
13 -
Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Toppings & Add-ins
14 -
Shredded cheddar cheese
15 -
Sour cream
16 -
Fresh cilantro, chopped
17 -
Diced avocado (optional)
18 -
Jalapeño slices (optional)
→ Optional Extras
19 -
1 oz dark chocolate (for deeper flavor)
20 -
Dash of your favorite hot sauce
# Instructions:
01 -
First things first, get that ground beef into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks until it’s beautifully browned all over, no pink bits left. Oh, and please, for the love of all that is good, drain off any excess fat! I once skipped this step, thinking the slow cooker would magically handle it, and ended up with a slightly greasy chili. Not my finest moment, honestly.
02 -
Once the beef is drained, if you have a slow cooker with a sauté function, use it! Otherwise, in the same skillet (after draining the fat), add a splash of olive oil and toss in your chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté them until the onion softens and turns translucent, and the garlic smells absolutely divine—about 5-7 minutes. This step builds so much flavor, it's worth the extra few minutes, believe me. I used to just dump everything in raw, and the chili just wasn't as deep and rich.
03 -
Now for the easy part! Transfer your browned beef and sautéed aromatics into your slow cooker. Add the canned pumpkin puree (remember, NOT pie filling!), diced tomatoes (undrained, those juices are precious!), both kidney and black beans (rinsed, please!), and the beef broth. Then, sprinkle in your chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and that little bit of brown sugar. Give it all a good stir!
04 -
Stir everything together until it's really well combined. You want all those delicious ingredients to get to know each other before they start their slow cooking journey. Put the lid on your slow cooker and set it on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Honestly, the longer it simmers on low, the more those flavors meld into something truly spectacular. I always aim for low and slow if my schedule allows.
05 -
Once the cooking time is up, give your Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili a good stir and a taste. This is your moment to shine! Does it need a little more salt? A pinch more chili powder for extra kick? Maybe a tiny splash of hot sauce if you're feeling adventurous? I'm always tweaking it a bit at this stage, sometimes adding a touch more cumin if it feels like it needs a bit more warmth. Don't be shy; make it yours!
06 -
Ladle your hearty Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili into bowls. The aroma alone is enough to get your stomach rumbling! Then, go wild with your favorite toppings. I pile on shredded cheddar cheese until it's melting, a generous dollop of cool sour cream, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for a pop of color and freshness. It looks amazing and tastes even better. Enjoy that warm, comforting bowl!
# Notes:
01 -
Always use plain pumpkin puree, not pie filling; I learned that the hard way!
02 -
This Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili freezes beautifully for easy meal prep later.
03 -
Ground turkey or chicken works well if you're out of beef, just adjust cooking time slightly.
04 -
Serve with warm cornbread for the ultimate comfort food experience.
# Equipment Needed:
01 -
Large skillet
02 -
Slow cooker
# Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 450
Total Fat: 20g
Total Carbohydrate: 45g
Protein: 30g