This turkey pumpkin chili is fast, healthy and easy. The savory mix of ground turkey, white beans, pumpkin, and a hint of maple syrup in a rich tomato base is the perfect fall soup. Make a big batch and enjoy leftovers!
Looking for more soups? Try ground turkey veggie soup, Whole30 zuppa toscana, or white lasagna soup!
Is there anything better than a delicious soup recipe on a cold fall night to warm you up? Healthy chicken tortilla soup, Italian ground turkey vegetable soup, or this turkey chili will always be a hit.
And just like soup and chili, pumpkin is a staple in the fall. So a pumpkin and chili mashup only makes sense! It’s not overly heavy in pumpkin, but it’s just enough pumpkin puree, spice, and maple to leave you wanting more.
Serve it with gluten-free cornbread for the perfect weeknight meal!
Love chili? Try sweet and spicy chili, sweet potato chicken chili, or beanless chili next!
Ingredients You Need
Here are the simple ingredients to make this pumpkin chili with turkey. Jump to the recipe card for exact measurements.
- Onion: the base of all good chili recipes!
- Red pepper: I love adding diced pepper to chili for added nutrients.
- Ground turkey: I used 93% lean.
- Tomatoes: both tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.
- Pumpkin puree: real pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling).
- Beans: I used a mix of white beans and kidney beans or use all cannellinni for a white bean chili.
- Maple syrup: the perfect amount of sweetness to balance the heat and round out the fall flavors.
- Chicken broth: or vegetable broth to thin ou tthe consistency.
- Spices: chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Pumpkin pie spice: adds such a great amount of pumpkin flavor!
Recipe Variations
- Swap the ground turkey for ground beef or ground chicken.
- Add more vegetables like spinach or more peppers.
- Paleo: omit the beans and swap them for 1 diced sweet potato.
How to Make Turkey Pumpkin Chili
Here are the simple steps, with photos, to make this pumpkin and turkey chili. Skip to the recipe card for the printable version.
Step 1. Saute Vegetables. Cook the onion and red pepper in a large pot until soft.
Step 2. Brown the Turkey. Add the ground turkey and cook to break it up until no pink remains.
Step 3. Add Ingredients. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine.
Step 4. Cook. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the soup reduces slightly and richens in cooler.
Can I Make It In the Slow Cooker?
Yes! You can make turkey pumpkin chili in the slow cooker. Brown the turkey in a skillet on the stove then transfer it to the crock pot with the remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.
Expert Recipe Tips
- Make it spicy by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Chili thickens as it chills so add more broth as needed when reheating to reach your desired consistency.
- Season to taste! Taste the chili after it simmers and adjust the salt, chili powder, and pumpkin spice as needed.
- Cook it long enough! Simmering the chili makes such a difference because it gives the flavors time to meld together.
- Don’t skip the toppings! They make chili even better.
Pumpkin Chili Toppings
- Sliced avocado
- Plain greek yogurt or sour cream
- Shredded cheese
- Cornbread
- Tortilla chips, especially homemade baked tortilla chips
- Green onion or red onion
How to Store
Store leftover chili in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Freeze chili in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat a batch of chili on the stove until heated through or in individual bowls in the microwave.
Looking for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Instagram or TikTok.
Turkey Pumpkin Chili
Save this Recipe!
Ingredients
- 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 2 lbs ground turkey
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15-ounce)can pumpkin puree
- 1 (15-ounce) can white beans (cannellini) drained and rinse
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Toppings as desired See notes
Instructions
- Drizzle the olive oil into the bottom of a large stock pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, add the diced onion and peppers and cook, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes, until soft and translucent.1-2 Tablespoons olive oil, 1 medium yellow onion, 1 red bell pepper
- Add the ground turkey and brown until no pink remains, 5-6 minutes.2 lbs ground turkey
- Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, pumpkin puree, pinto beans, maple syrup and 1 cup of broth and stir well until combined.1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 (15-ounce)can pumpkin puree, 1 (15-ounce) can white beans (cannellini), 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, 1 cup chicken broth
- Add the chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper and stir well to combine.1 1/2 Tablespoons chili powder, 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, Salt and pepper to taste
- Bring the chili to a boil over medium high heat then reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to come together while it reduces slightly. Add up to another cup of broth as needed to reach your desired consistency. Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
So so so good Molly! I was wary of the pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice but it is perfection! Thank you for a great meal.
Thank you Heleen! It’s unexpected but delicious:)
I made this recipe because it was on the meal plan from last week. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it since I’d never heard of pumpkin in chili before. I can definitely say this was the best chili I’ve had in my life. My dad, husband and I loved it so much. It was such a unique recipe!
Thank you Bailey! That’s such a compliment!!! So glad you liked it.
This sounds delicious! One question – the sweet potato cubes are only added if you don’t use beans correct? I see that note above but also see both sweet potato cubes and beans in the instructions (but no sweet potato cubes in the list of ingredients). Thanks!
Hello! Yes, good catch. I tested this with sweet potatoes and decided to remove it and forgot to take it out of the instructions. It’s only if you want to swap it for the beans.
Has this recipe changed? I’ve been making it for a couple years now but I don’t recognize some of the ingredients now and it turned out a little differently. Still amazing!! But different than before
Hey Lindsay! Yes, I updated it recently:) I’m glad you’ve been making it for years! I took new pictures and changed some of the ingredients and feel like this version is much better! I should have made a note of that and stated the previous recipe.
Made this for my family tonight and everybody loved it – even my 2 year old!! Paired it with some GF and DF cornbread muffins and it made the perfect fall dinner! Will definitely make this one again!
Delicious!
Hey there! I understand this is somewhat off-topic however I
had to ask. Does managing a well-established blog like yours require a lot of work?
I am completely new to operating a blog however I do write in my
journal every day. I’d like to start a blog so I will be able to share my own experience and thoughts online.
Please let me know if you have any kind of recommendations or tips for brand new aspiring bloggers.
Thankyou!
Here’s a great start to learn more! https://whatmollymade.com/resources/
This was awesome, my new favorite chili recipe.
I subbed all turkey instead of doing pork since it’s what I had on hand and it’s still amazing. The pumpkin makes it almost creamy. I’ve texted this recipe to friends and won’t go back. Thanks for your delicious recipes
Oh my gosh, Sarah!! This is the best comment:) So glad you think so!!