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October 30, 2019 Updated February 1, 2021 By Rebecca Fall Recipes

Melanie’s 30 Minute Pumpkin Chili with Ground Turkey

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close up of 30 minute pumpkin chili with ground turkey
two bowls of 30 minute pumpkin chili with ground turkey with text overlay

Enjoy the best fall flavors with this really easy 30 minute pumpkin chili recipe with ground turkey. It’s delicious, easy, and packed with fiber for a wholesome and flavor packed fall dinner. This pumpkin chili would also make for a great Halloween dinner.

30 minute pumpkin chili with ground turkey on table with bread

[This recipe was originally posted in October 2018. It has been updated with new cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]

This recipe originally appeared on my first blog, Be Truly Nourished. It’s from my friend, Melanie who was the co-writer of that blog. This was the first recipe that my mom shared out with our family and with friends. I get the most comments on this recipe. After 3 years, I’m over being mad that they liked Melanie’s recipe the most, and not mine. But that’s another story for another day.

PIN HERE to add to your recipe box.

How will this pumpkin chili make your life easier?

I mean, 30 minutes to dinner is always a good idea, but chili in 30 minutes? + chili that uses PUMPKIN?!! Oh yes! This chili is easy, simple, yet totally packed with flavor.

Although most new recipes on this site are for one person, I highly recommend doubling or tripling this recipe. This is one of those meals that is even more delicious the next day(s). It also freezes easily, so toss some in a reusable container and freeze for an upcoming busy night. Plus you won’t have to figure out how to finish off the rest of the can of pumpkin, even though I never complain about making Pumpkin Bundt Cake, Curried Pumpkin Soup, or a Pumpkin Pie Smoothie.

What makes this pumpkin chili recipe so good?

  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Yellow onion
  • Garlic
  • Turkey
  • Chili powder
  • Cumin
  • Ceyanne pepper 
  • Green bell pepper chopped
  • Corn
  • Canned red kidney beans
  • Canned black beans
  • Canned diced tomatoes
  • Pumpkin puree
  • Cheddar cheese

How do I make this chili?

onions and spices in a small skillet, with a spatula in it

Add 1 tsp olive oil, 1/4 c onions, 1/2 tbsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp salt, and a dash of cayanne pepper to medium or large cold pot. Turn stove burner on to medium heat, stir occasionally.

stirring raw ground turkey into onions and spices in a small black skillet

Once onions are translucent, add 1/2 clove of garlic and 1/4 lb ground turkey. Sautee until turkey is cooked through, about 5 minutes. 

Expert Tip: Add all the spice to cook with the onions, this brings out the flavor of the spices.

Expert Tip: Add garlic after onions are translucent, so they don’t burn.

stirring kidney beans and vegetables in a stock pot

Add 1/4 whole bell pepper, 1/4 c frozen corn, 1/2 can kidney beans, 1/4 can black beans, 1/2 can diced tomato (with juice), and 1/4 can pumpkin puree to turkey mixture. Stir together. Add water to desired thickness. Simmer for 20 minutes. 

Expert Tip: Use any color bell pepper. Green bell peppers are usually the least expensive.

Expert Tip: Pay close attention to the canned ingredients you buy. Make sure to buy plain pumpkin puree & plain diced tomatoes. Pumpkin is often near pumpkin pie filling, which has spices you don’t want, and many cans of diced tomatoes include Italian seasonings, which you don’t want either.

Expert Tip: Buy both types of beans, and freeze leftovers or use them in tacos, quesadillas, other chilis, or on salads.

30 minute pumpkin chili with ground turkey on table

Serve with cheddar cheese and your favorite crusty bread.

Expert tips

  • Add all the spice to cook with the onions, this brings out the flavor of the spices.
  • Add garlic after onions are translucent, so they don’t burn.
  • Use any color bell pepper. Green bell peppers are usually the least expensive.
  • Pay close attention to the canned ingredients you buy. Make sure to buy plain pumpkin puree & plain diced tomatoes. Pumpkin is often near pumpkin pie filling, which has spices you don’t want, and many cans of diced tomatoes include Italian seasonings, which you don’t want either.
  • Buy both types of beans, and freeze leftovers or use them in tacos, quesadillas, other chilis, or on salads.

FAQ

What is a good secret ingredient for chili?

Ummm…. PUMPKIN! The pumpkin in this recipe adds creaminess, thickness, and a subtle pumpkin flavor. It’s REALLY good!

How do you make chili more flavorful?

Adding the spices to the onions & oil right off the bat will let them really bloom, ie: make them more flavorful! You can add them when you add the turkey too, but I’ve noticed a big difference in flavors when you add the spices to the cooking onions.

How long should chili cook?

Many recipes call for 1 & 1/2 hours of cooking time, but you can cook this chili for just 20-25 minutes. It usually takes an hour + for the flavors to develop and all the extra liquids to thicken, but when you add the spices to cooking onions, you don’t need to cook it as long. Plus the crunchy peppers are great!

close up of 30 minute pumpkin chili with ground turkey

What can I make the leftover ingredients?

  • (turkey) Sub it for ground beef in Thai Beef Bowl, Stuffed Squash, OR this Korean Bulgogi
  • (bell pepper) Fig & Prosciutto Pizza, Egg Roll Up (Ugandan Chapati), OR this Lentil Coconut Curry
  • (kidney beans) throw them on a salad OR mash them up and top with 5 Minute Queso
  • (black beans & bell pepper) Black Bean Veggie Tacos OR this Veggie Quesadilla
  • (pumpkin) Curry Pumpkin Soup OR Pumpkin Bundt Cake
  • (diced tomato) Lentil Coconut Curry, 15 Minute Pasta, OR add it to Guacamole.

Did you make this pumpkin chili recipe? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

close up of 30 minute pumpkin chili with ground turkey
Print Pin
5 from 7 votes

Melanie’s 30 Minute Pumpkin Chili with Ground Turkey

Enjoy the best fall flavors with this really easy 30 minute pumpkin chili recipe with ground turkey. It's delicious, easy, and packed with fiber.
Course dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 1 person
Author Rebecca

Equipment

  • knife
  • cutting board
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Measuring Cups
  • Stock Pot
  • can opener
  • Grater

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion yellow or white
  • 1/2 whole garlic clove minced
  • 1/4 pound ground turkey
  • 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • cayanne pepper to taste
  • 1/4 whole green bell pepper chopped
  • 1/4 cup corn
  • 1/2 cans red kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 can (14.5oz) black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cans (14.5oz) diced tomatoes including liquid
  • 1/4 can (14.5oz) pumpkin puree
  • water to desired thickness
  • cheddar cheese for topping

Instructions

  • Add 1 tsp olive oil, 1/4 c onions, 1/2 tbsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp salt, and a dash of cayanne pepper to large cold saucepan. Heat saucepan, and stir occasionally. Once onions are translucent, add 1/2 clove of garlic and 1/4 lb ground turkey. Sautee until turkey is cooked through, about 5 minutes. 
  • Transfer to large pot if saucepan isn't big enough for the rest of the ingredients. 
  • Add 1/4 whole bell pepper, 1/4 c corn, 1/2 can kidney beans, 1/4 can black beans, 1/2 can tomato, and 1/4 can pumpkin to turkey mixture. Stir together. Add water to desired thickness. Simmer for 20 minutes. 
  • Serve with cheddar cheese and your favorite crusty bread.

Video

30 minute pumpkin chili with ground turkey

Notes

  • Add all the spice to cook with the onions, this brings out the flavor of the spices.
  • Add garlic after onions are translucent, so they don’t burn.
  • Use any color bell pepper. Green bell peppers are usually the least expensive.
  • Pay close attention to the canned ingredients you buy. Make sure to buy plain pumpkin puree & plain diced tomatoes. Pumpkin is often near pumpkin pie filling, which has spices you don’t want, and many cans of diced tomatoes include Italian seasonings, which you don’t want either.
  • Buy both types of beans, and freeze leftovers or use them in tacos, quesadillas, other chilis, or on salads.

Want to get more single serving recipes delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

Categories: Fall Recipes

About Rebecca

Welcome! Iโ€™m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, youโ€™ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

Previous Post: « 10 Minute Queso Dip
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. GiGi Eats says

    October 25, 2018 at 8:31 pm

    5 stars
    YES PLEASE! I need to make this YES I DO!!!!!!! I can’t do beans but everything else is ON POINT!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      October 29, 2018 at 12:29 pm

      oh yes! no need to add the beans. thanks!

      Reply
  2. Jessica Formicola says

    October 30, 2019 at 11:38 am

    5 stars
    I love when pumpkin can be savory! We made this for dinner last night and it was incredible! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      November 2, 2019 at 10:44 am

      that’s great to hear! glad you liked it!

      Reply
  3. Kelly Anthony says

    October 30, 2019 at 11:50 am

    5 stars
    I haven’t seen pumpkin in chili but it is such a great idea to add a little bit more creaminess to the dish.

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      November 2, 2019 at 10:43 am

      totally and totally!

      Reply
  4. Sapana says

    October 30, 2019 at 12:23 pm

    5 stars
    I love that this chili is packed with veggies and so much flavor!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      November 2, 2019 at 10:43 am

      totally! thanks

      Reply
  5. Michelle Miller says

    October 30, 2019 at 12:24 pm

    5 stars
    Superb dish! Love it and love that it only takes 30 minutes! Efficient!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      November 2, 2019 at 10:42 am

      right?! 30 minute dinners are the best

      Reply
  6. Anita says

    October 30, 2019 at 12:38 pm

    5 stars
    Pumpkin in a chili! This is such a neat way to prepare pumpkin. ๐Ÿ™‚ I’m guessing that when pumpkin is not in season, it should be very acceptable to sub with sweet potatoes.

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      November 2, 2019 at 10:42 am

      I bet sweet potato would be great in it too, but canned pumpkin should be available year round ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  7. Ashley says

    October 30, 2019 at 1:05 pm

    5 stars
    Love this recipe!! So quick and easy, and perfect for a quick healthy dinner any night of the week!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      November 2, 2019 at 10:40 am

      totally! it’s great any night for sure!

      Reply

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Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a dietitian & lazy home cook. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find quick, delicious recipes for one person to get you excited to cook at home.

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