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 for a wholesome and flavor packed fall dinner. This pumpkin chili would also make for a great Halloween dinner.

[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.

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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?

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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