What makes this slow cooker fall chili truly special is the unexpected punch of pumpkin’s velvety richness mingling with smoky spices. It’s a celebration of the season’s bounty with minimal effort but maximum flavor. Plus, the slow cooker means I can toss everything together in the morning and come home to a fragrant, ready-to-eat bowl of comfort.
Slow Cooker Fall Chili with Pumpkin
This fall-inspired chili is made by simmering a hearty mixture of beans, ground meat, spices, and pumpkin in a slow cooker until flavors meld and the texture becomes thick and comforting. The pumpkin adds a smooth, velvety richness that complements the smoky spices, resulting in a visually rustic and hearty bowl.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Start by chopping the onion and mincing the garlic to prepare their flavors for the chili.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground meat until browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spoon.
- Transfer the cooked meat to the slow cooker, then add the chopped onion and minced garlic, stirring to combine.
- Add the drained black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and pumpkin puree into the slow cooker, stirring everything together until well combined.
- Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, cinnamon (if using), and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir all ingredients thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices and pumpkin, then cover the slow cooker with the lid.
- Set the slow cooker to low and cook the chili for 6 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the mixture to thicken slightly.
- Once finished, open the lid and give the chili a good stir. It should be fragrant, thick, and bubbling gently.
- Ladle the hot chili into bowls and serve with optional toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, or fresh cilantro.
Hi, I’m James Whitmore, the creator behind Salt Evangelist. If there is one ingredient I believe deserves more respect, it is salt. Not because it makes food salty, but because it makes food come alive. Salt highlights sweetness, softens bitterness, sharpens acidity, and deepens savoriness. It is not just seasoning. It is transformation.
