Description
Warm autumn nights call for hearty Pumpkin Chili, a comforting Mexican-inspired dish blending robust spices with creamy pumpkin richness. Home cooks craving a seasonal twist will savor this satisfying meal that delivers both nutrition and deep, complex flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
Beans:
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
Vegetables and Spices:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) pumpkin puree
- 1 can (15 ounces / 425 grams) diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Chopped cilantro
- Avocado slices
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over medium-high temperature, introducing diced onions and minced garlic until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Incorporate ground protein, breaking it into crumbly fragments and sautéing until completely browned and no pink remains visible.
- Gently fold pumpkin puree into the meat mixture, ensuring thorough integration and creating a rich, velvety texture.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, combine both bean varieties, and add liquid broth, stirring to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Sprinkle aromatic spices including chili powder, earthy cumin, smoky paprika, warming cinnamon, alongside salt and pepper, blending thoroughly to develop complex flavor profiles.
- Allow mixture to reach a robust boil, then immediately reduce heat to low, covering and allowing contents to simmer and meld flavors for approximately 30 minutes.
- After simmering, taste and adjust seasonings if needed, ensuring balanced and robust flavor composition.
- Ladle into serving bowls, topping with preferred garnishes such as shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, or dollop of sour cream for added dimension.
Notes
- Boost protein content by adding extra beans or lentils for a hearty vegetarian adaptation.
- Use lean ground turkey instead of beef to create a lighter, lower-fat version of the chili.
- Swap traditional beans with cauliflower or zucchini chunks for a low-carb, keto-friendly alternative.
- Enhance depth of flavor by roasting spices briefly before adding liquid ingredients, which intensifies their aromatic qualities.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg