Recipe

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Rich, hearty, and all the flavors of Fall your family loves, this Turkey Pumpkin Chili recipe is one everyone is sure to request again and again.

The ingredients in this turkey pumpkin chili are simple, but the cozy flavor is out of this world. Cooked in one pot, it's a recipe you'll be making on repeat!

closeup of a bowl of turkey chili topped with sliced limes

Turkey and Pumpkin Chili Recipe

My famous chili recipe with no beans is one my family and readers have been enjoying for years! Now it gets even better by adding our favorite fall ingredient: pumpkin!

Cooked to perfection in just one pot, this is going to be a recipe you'll be making on repeat. You can use beef or turkey, or make it completely vegetarian by omitting the meat and adding beans- the option is yours!

What Does Pumpkin Chili Taste Like?

Nothing about this recipe tastes like dessert or a sugary latte; pumpkin is a great pair with the classic chili spices and ingredients, while adding a more robust flavor and richness. By itself, canned pumpkin is pretty subtle and versatile, making it a healthy addition to savory dishes like this and baked goods.

Ingredients

I make this chili with ground turkey, but you can swap it for ground beef or even canned beans. Tomato sauce and pumpkin puree are the other basic ingredients this recipe calls for. For a super tasty chili, I use onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and oregano.

How to Make Pumpkin Turkey Chili

We start by sautéing the onion in a pot, then we add the ground turkey, garlic, and seasonings to the onions and brown the meat, breaking it up with a spatula as you go. Pour the tomato sauce and pumpkin puree into the pot and bring to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes, and our pumpkin turkey chili is done.

How to Store & Freeze this Chili

Allow the chili to cool down and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days. To freeze, transfer the cooled chili into heavy-duty bags and place them onto a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, remove the baking sheet, and stack the slabs in your freezer. Grab more details on how to freeze and reheat chili in this post.

More Epic Chili Recipes

Pumpkin Chili isn't the only one I have up my sleeve! I highly recommend trying this chicken and veggie chili, this corn chili, and these chili tacos that are perfect for using up the last bits of leftover chili!

Turkey Pumpkin Chili

Servings: 6

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 40

Total Time: 45

Rich, hearty, and all the flavors of Fall your family loves, this Turkey Pumpkin Chili recipe is one everyone is sure to request again and again.

5 from 10 votes

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Watch how it’s made:

Ingredients

2 tablespoons oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 ½ pounds ground turkey
2 cloves garlic, minced (or grated)
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon salt
30 ounces canned tomato sauce, (2 15-ounce cans)
15 ounces pumpkin puree, fresh or canned

Instructions

Sauté onion:

In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it’s translucent.

Brown the meat:

Add the turkey, garlic, and seasonings and brown for 7 minutes, making sure all of the meat is cooked through and broken up into smaller pieces.

Simmer:

Stir in the tomato sauce and pumpkin puree. Bring the chili to a low boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.

Serve:

Turn off the heat, let it sit for about 5 minutes, and serve with your favorite chili toppings.

Notes

You can use beef or ground chicken for this recipe or make it completely vegetarian by omitting the meat and adding two 15ounce cans of beans, drained and rinsed.