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Creamy Pumpkin Chili

This pumpkin chili is a hearty, slow-cooked stew that combines ground beef, beans, and diced pumpkin to create a comforting dish. It develops a velvety texture with a rich, spicy flavor profile and an inviting autumnal color, with ingredients melding over hours in the slow cooker.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 330
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup diced pumpkin fresh or canned
  • 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 can diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • to taste salt and pepper

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Large Skillet

Method
 

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Break it apart with a spatula, cooking until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. This fills your kitchen with a lovely aroma and helps develop deeper flavors.
  3. Transfer the cooked beef and garlic into the slow cooker. Add the diced pumpkin, black beans, diced tomatoes (with juices), pumpkin puree, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Stir everything together to combine well.
  4. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Cover the slow cooker with the lid, set to low, and cook for 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the pumpkin to soften, creating a creamy, hearty texture.
  5. Once cooking is complete, lift the lid to see a thick, vibrant stew with a velvety consistency. Give it a gentle stir— it should smell warm and spicy, with flavors fully developed.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or chili powder if desired. Ladle into bowls, and enjoy this comforting, seasonal chili that’s perfect for chilly days.

Notes

For a thicker chili, stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste during the last hour of cooking. Garnish with chopped cilantro or shredded cheese if desired.