Description
This Sunset Orange pumpkin chili with black beans offers a hearty, satisfying, and wonderfully savory twist on classic chili, perfect for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings. It’s a family-friendly favorite, especially comforting when cooler weather arrives.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground meat (lean ground beef or turkey, or plant-based crumble)
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained (or kidney beans)
- 2 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)
- 2 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 Tbsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Brown Protein: In a large 10-inch Dutch oven or pot, cook ground meat or plant-based crumble over medium heat until browned and no longer pink (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess fat.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and turns translucent and the garlic becomes fragrant (about 3-5 minutes).
- Build Flavor: Stir in the chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook for just 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant. (If the pot looks too dry, splash in a tablespoon of olive oil.)
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Pour in the pumpkin puree, undrained diced tomatoes, rinsed and drained black beans, and broth. Stir everything well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture has a uniform, rich Sunset Orange color.
- Simmer Chili: Bring the chili to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook for at least 20-30 minutes, or up to an hour, allowing flavors to meld and deepen. The chili will thicken as it simmers.
- Season and Serve: Taste the chili and adjust salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed before serving.
Notes
Kidney beans are a great substitute for black beans if preferred. If making a vegetarian version, use a high-protein plant-based crumble and vegetable broth. Ensure you taste and adjust seasonings at the end for the best flavor.
- Prep Time: 16 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (360g)
- Calories: 380 calories
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: pumpkin, chili, black beans, ground meat, comfort food, easy, stovetop, family-friendly, weeknight
