Spicy Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili

Spicy slow cooker pumpkin chili – a blend of fall spices with a kick of spicy chili powder and red peppers.

  
Saturday morning the older two kids left with grandma to visit their great grandmother in northern California. That left the hubs, the little guy and I to spend all weekend together. Every time it’s the three of us we have THE BEST time. The little one is perfect when it’s just him and he enjoys the alone time with us. Saturday morning we painted the house, had a little paint catastrophe, then spent the rest of the weekend enjoying the beautiful fall weather. It was a cool Saturday and the husband mentioned making soup for dinner. Since it was still early in the day I thought it would be great to make pumpkin chili in the slow cooker. Now the boys don’t usually like pumpkin but this chili recipe was a hit!

It’s a sweet and spicy blend with mixed beans, bell peppers, pumpkin puree, and tomatoes. The recipe includes pumpkin pie spice which my husband prefers I leave out every time I make it, but I think it gives it a great flavor. It has everything you can think of in a fall recipe. Slow cooker chili? Check. Pumpkin? Check. Pumpkin pie spice? Check. I decided to have a little fun with the meal by serving the chili in tiny pumpkins.

I found these small pumpkins at Save Mart last week. I believe they’re called Pee Wee pumpkins, they’re slightly larger than mini pumpkins but smaller than a pie pumpkin. If you live near a Save Mart check them out, the pumpkins are about a dollar and are perfect for Fall entertaining. You could decorate your thanksgiving table with them or used them as a soup bowl like I did with the chili.

I washed the pumpkins then carved the tops off. Once the pumpkins were cleaned out I filled them with the chili then topped it with sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.

Pumpkin Chili Recipe

5 from 1 vote

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Spicy Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey
• 1 medium onion chopped
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can fire roasted tomatoes
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling
• 1 can red kidney beans
• 1 can black beans
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 2-3 tbsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 red and yellow bell pepper chopped
• Pinch of salt and pepper
• Garnish with sour cream and cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. In a large skillet brown ground beef or turkey. Drain fat and transfer to slow cooker.
2. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
3. Cook on high for 4 hours in slow cooker.
4. Garnish with sour cream and shredded cheese.

Recipe Notes

Optional: add hot sauce to the slow cooker for a spicier chili.

If you’d like a spicier chili add a tablespoon or two of hot sauce, which will give it an extra kick.