Sunday, October 13, 2013

Slow Cooker Pumpkin and Bean Chili

It's fall and nothing says fall better than chili and pumpkin.  But together?  This recipe caught my eye as I was looking through the recipes on my assigned Secret Recipe Club blog, This Mama Cooks.  I love the idea of adding a fruit or vegetable to a traditional dish in order to add more nutrients. 

This is a delicious chili recipe and the addition of the pumpkin give the chili a nice creamy texture.  You will never know this recipe has pumpkin in it.  Although the recipe is designed for the slow cooker, you could easily make this stove top.

 Slow Cooker Pumpkin and Bean Chili
Recipe Courtesy of This Mama Cooks

Ingredients

  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 pound ground venison, turkey, chicken or lean beef
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder or your favorite gourmet chili blend
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or ground chipotle chile (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth (I used beef broth)
  • 2 15 ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15 ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
  • 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, with juice
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin oil (optional)

Directions

  1. Cook onion, bell pepper and ground meat over medium high heat until meat is cooked through.
  2. Add salt and garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
  3. Add spices (chili powder through cumin) and mix thoroughly. Cook for 1 minute.
  4. Place onion, pepper, meat, garlic and spice mixture into a slow cooker.
  5. Add remaining ingredients.
  6. Cook on low for 5-6 hours.
  7. Dish chili into bowls and top with a small dollop of no fat sour cream or a large pinch of shredded cheese. 
I am linking this to Miz Helen's Chili Cook-off!!!

16 comments:

  1. Sounds like a great chili! I'd love the addition of some chipotle powder:@)

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  2. we dont like venison but I am sure I can substitiute turkey. yummy

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  3. I don't think I've ever used pumpkin in a savory recipe, but this looks like a recipe worth trying. Have a great week!

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  4. I've actually never added pumpkin to chili either - but I think I'm gonna have to try it. Looks delicious!

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  5. Such a unique chili. I never thought to add pumpkin to chili, but I'm going to need to try it now! Great SRC choice!

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  6. I love making pumpkin recipes this time of the year. This is a nice variation from the mostly baked good.

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  7. I have made pumpkin chili before but I like the spices in yours - I need to try this out!

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  8. Pumpkin in chili sounds interesting but I'm all about sneaking veggies into a dish. I can't wait to give this a try. It looks so delicious. Great SRC choice.

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  9. This sounds terrific. I must make it. I think it would go over well in my family.

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  10. Hi Julie,
    This is great Slow Cooker Pumpkin and Bean Chili, we would just love the flavor of this chili. Great choice for the SRC, have a fun day!
    Miz Helen

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  11. Hmmmm....I have never thought of adding pumpkin to chili...this does sound delicious, though....and I can use the slow cooker!! Nice SRC selection.

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  12. I love chili, and have been dying to try adding pumpkin - this version definitely cements my desire to try it. Looks awesome!!

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  13. I just made a pumpkin chili! I really is amazing! Great pick

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  14. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I like cooking it all year round and stock up on canned pumpkin during the fall just so I can do that!

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  15. Hi Julie,
    I just love the addition of pumpkin to your awesome Chili. Thank you so much for sharing with Texas Star Chili Cook Off and the very best of luck to you!
    Miz Helen

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  16. Great idea! The kids would never even know there was pumpkin in it.

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