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Cozy Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili with Black Beans | Easy Fall Dinner

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This cozy slow cooker pumpkin chili with black beans is the perfect fall dinner—hearty, flavorful, and made with pantry-friendly ingredients. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it meal that delivers rich, velvety chili without spending all day in the kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey or lean ground beef (93/7 turkey recommended)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • For serving (optional): shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, diced avocado, sliced green onions, tortilla chips or crusty bread

Instructions

  1. Brown the meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink (5-7 minutes). Add diced onion and minced garlic during the last 2 minutes, stirring until onion softens.
  2. Transfer the cooked meat mixture to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.
  3. Add pumpkin puree, drained and rinsed black beans, fire-roasted diced tomatoes (with juices), and chicken broth. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using) over the top. Stir until pumpkin is fully incorporated and spices are evenly distributed.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours. The chili is ready when thick, fragrant, and flavors have deepened.
  5. About 30 minutes before serving, taste and adjust seasoning. Add more salt, cumin, or cayenne as desired.
  6. Serve hot with desired toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, avocado, green onions, and tortilla chips or bread.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the meat—it adds flavor. Rinse canned black beans to reduce sodium. For a brighter flavor, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice or splash of apple cider vinegar at the end. If chili is too thin, mash some beans or add a cornstarch slurry. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker pumpkin chili, black bean chili, fall dinner, easy chili recipe, ground turkey chili, pumpkin chili, cozy chili

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/cozy-slow-cooker-pumpkin-chili-with-black-beans-easy-fall-dinner/