Turkey Pumpkin Chili (Printable)

Hearty turkey and pumpkin chili with beans, tomatoes, and warming spices for a comforting meal.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb lean ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Canned & Packaged

05 - 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin purée, not pie filling
06 - 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
07 - 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
08 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 2 tbsp chili powder
11 - 1 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
14 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
15 - 1 tsp salt
16 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

→ Others

17 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Garnishes (optional)

18 - Chopped fresh cilantro
19 - Sliced green onions
20 - Shredded cheese
21 - Sour cream

# Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper; sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink—about 5–6 minutes.
04 - Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Stir to coat the meat and vegetables with the spices.
05 - Add pumpkin purée, diced tomatoes with juice, kidney beans, black beans, and chicken broth. Stir well to combine.
06 - Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, green onions, shredded cheese, or sour cream as desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The pumpkin creates an incredibly velvety texture without any cream or dairy
  • Its a complete meal in one bowl that somehow tastes even better leftover
  • The warming spices make it taste like comfort in a spoon, perfect for crisp autumn evenings
02 -
  • The pumpkin doesn't taste like pumpkin pie—it simply adds body and a subtle sweetness that balances the spices
  • Letting the chili rest for even 10 minutes off the heat allows the flavors to meld together
  • If the chili seems too thick after simmering, add more broth in half-cup increments
03 -
  • Use a potato masher to gently press some of the beans against the side of the pot for an even thicker texture
  • Warm your spices in a dry pan for 2 minutes before adding them to intensify their flavor

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