Pumpkin Chili

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This is the best Pumpkin Chili recipe that is cozy, delicious, thick and hearty. It’s the perfect quick, weeknight dinner. It’s full of warm spices, pumpkin puree, ground beef and goes wonderfully with this jalapeño cheddar cornbread.

Pumpkin Chili on counter with garnishes and cornbread.

Today we are talking all about this recipe for the best pumpkin chili. Before we dive into this pumpkin variety, here is my favorite Vegan Chili–I love it! I am a big fan of chili, I love everything from Chili Cheese Dogs to Fritos Chili Pie. Hello, comfort!

Fall is upon us and your girl is ready for autumn leaves, long sleeves, comfort, coziness and lots of pumpkin. I am ready. I’m currently writing a super diligent list of fall activities to-do; I’ll share it with you all soon! I’m thinking we can tackle it together.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Pumpkin Chili

Ingredients for chili on counter.
  • Pumpkin Puree – Yes, duh. I like to use pumpkin puree from a can but if you’re feeling ambitious, you can absolutely use homemade. I like to make pumpkin puree from sugar pumpkins, if I’m going to do that.
  • Diced Tomatoes – You can use crushed if you want to. But I like the teeny bit of texture it provides.
  • Kidney Beans – While most people from Texas would fight you over the use of beans, I LOVE them in chili. I think kidney beans are essential.
  • Pinto Beans – I like the texture of pinto beans. I feel like they’re quintessential non-Texan chili haha.
  • Spices – Of course, we add spices because zero bland food is able to live and thrive in this space.
  • Yellow Onions – I love the flavor of onions. Alliums are my favorite! They impart flavor.
  • Beef Broth – I don’t love to use water in any soup or chili. I find broth to be much more flavorful, specifically beef broth.
  • Ground Beef – I love the ground beef in this recipe. It makes it super filling and delicious.
Pureed tomatoes being added to pot.

How to Make the Best Pumpkin Chili

  1. Start by adding a bit of olive oil to the pot. When warm, add the onion and garlic. Then add the ground beef and break it up until it’s all into small pieces. Cook it until it’s browned.
  2. Next, you’re going to add the spices. And yes, there are a lot of spices! Along with the pumpkin puree, diced tomatoes, beef broth and beans (kidney and pinto beans).
  3. If you’re using the Instant Pot, then you can place it on the “soup” setting for 18 minutes.
  4. If you’re cooking it on the stove, you place the lid on the pot and cook it for about 45 minutes. I like to make sure the flame was medium-low.
  5. Divide it amongst your bowls. And garnish it with sour cream or crema, shredded cheese, lime and pumpkin seeds.
Instant pot on counter.

Stovetop vs. instant pot

This pumpkin chili is so rich and delicious. And it comes together in under 45 minutes on the stovetop. It’s the easiest, breeziest weeknight meal You can make in a Digital Pressure Cooker/Instant Pot in less than 20 minutes. So easy!

Pumpkin chili in a bowl with garnishes on top.

Recipe Tip

  • Chili makes the best leftovers. It keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
  • Freeze the chili by bringing it to room temperature and then placing it in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Toast your spices in the pot before adding liquids to deepen the flavor. A splash of apple cider vinegar stirred in just before serving will brighten the whole pot.
  • Garnish with roasted pumpkin seeds for a crunchy contrast. Feel free to go wild with toppings – sour cream, cheese, and green onions make it a party. Serve with cornbread. Its sweetness jives well with the pumpkin.

Recipe FAQs

What’s the best pumpkin variety to use for a chili?

Look for sugar pumpkins, also known as pie pumpkins, for their sweeter flesh and smoother texture.

Can this chili be made in a slow cooker?

Sure thing! Let it bubble away on low for about 6 hours, and it’ll be ready for spooning up.

If I’m not big on heat, how can I tone it down?

Skip the jalapeños and go easy on the chili powder. The pumpkin will shine through even more.

Is this chili freezer-friendly?

You bet. Portion it, freeze it, then thaw and reheat on a chilly night.

Can I swap in some other types of beans?

Beans are like the supporting cast – feel free to mix and match. Black beans, kidney beans, even chickpeas would stand in nicely.

Pumpkin chili in a bowl with garnishes on top.

What to Serve with This Chili

If you tried this Pumpkin Chili or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

5 from 6 votes

Pumpkin Chili

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 8
This is the best Pumpkin Chili recipe that is cozy, delicious, thick and hearty. You can make it in the Instant Pot or you on the stovetop.

Ingredients 

Pumpkin Chili:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil 
  • 1 yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef, (I used grass-fed 80/20)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt 
  • 2 tablespoons ground chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika 
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 (15-ounce) can of pure pumpkin puree
  • 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 2 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained
  • 1 (15-ounce) pinto beans , drained
  • 2-3 cups beef broth

Garnish:

  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese
  • 1 green onion, trimmed and sliced
  • Handful of fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1/4 cup pepitas, toasted
  • 2 limes, sliced

Instructions 

To Make the Chili in a Pot on the Stove:

  • To a Dutch oven or medium pot, set over medium heat, add the olive oil. When warm, add the onions, garlic and ground beef, breaking it up a bit with a spatula, cooking it for about 10 to 15 minutes, until the fat has rendered and cooked off. If there's a TON of fat, feel free to drain some of it.
  • Next, add the salt and spices: chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano and coriander; cook for an additional minute, until fragrant. Pour in the pumpkin puree, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, pinto beans and beef broth.
  • Bring the chili to a simmer and then immediately turn the heat down to medium-low. Cover the lid and cook on medium-low for about 30 to 40 minutes. Give it a taste and adjust the salt to taste.

To Make the Chili in an Instant Pot:

  • Set it to the sauté function, add the olive oil. When warm, add the onions, garlic and ground beef, breaking it up a bit with a spatula, cooking it for about 10 to 15 minutes, until the fat has rendered and cooked off. Next, add the salt and spices: chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano and coriander; cook for an additional minute, until fragrant. 
  • Pour in the pumpkin puree, pureed tomatoes, kidney beans, pinto beans, bone broth and diced tomatoes. Place the lid on the Digital Pressure Cooker, and set the machine to “soup” function, about 15 minutes. Open the valve for a quick release; once steam has released you’re free to remove the top of the machine.

To Garnish:

  • Divide the chili amongst bowls and top with a spoonful of crema, some shredded cheese, green onions, cilantro, pepitas and lime. 

Notes

Tips and Tricks:
  • Chili makes the best leftovers. It keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
  • Freeze the chili by bringing it to room temperature and then placing it in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Garnish it with everything from pumpkin seeds, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, cilantro, a squeeze of lime. And of course, serving it with cornbread helps.
Equipment:
Instant Pot | Silicon Spatula | Le Creuset Dutch Oven | Kitchen Towels | OXO Measuring Cups | OXO Measuring Spoons

Nutrition

Serving: 6g | Calories: 369kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Like this Recipe? Please Rate & comment below!

Cozy Latin-Inspired Comfort Food Recipes

Hi! I'm Adrianna and this is my cozy space on the internet that is super-charged by butter, flour and copious amounts of pasta. Stay awhile, will you!

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25 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Why won’t it allow me to give this delicious fall recipe 5 stars? It’s fantastic! I made for group of teenagers, and they loved it! Thank you 🙂

  2. 5 stars
    Delicious! I’ve never been a big fan of pumpkin, but this year decided to be less wasteful and roasted/pureed the sugar pumpkins that decorated my front doorstep for fall. I made this chili and also your Pumpkin Tahini Loaf and may need to rethink my pumpkin aversion. Many thanks.

  3. I think I would love this chili but I would have to make it on my stove top in my Staub. I was hoping you might have a recipe for those of us that don’t have an Instapot, etc. Thank you for your wonderful recipes. Happy Fall!

  4. I live in South Africa and we don’t have pumpkin puree here. Any suggestions of what else I could sub in?
    love your blog so much!
    – Lara

    1. Thank you so much! Hmm…you could probably roast a sweet potato and use the same amount of potatoes. I would maybe mash it up a bit before you add it.