It's chili season, and "this butternut squash chili gives butternut squash lovers a reason to make and eat chili tonight!" says Rachel Maser, mom of four and founder/creator of the clean eating blog, Clean Food Crush®. "Most of these ingredients are probably in your pantry right now and, if not, then please note that this recipe is very flexible and forgiving, so add whatever you have on hand. I’m betting you’ll love your results."
Here's what you need in order to make this hearty butternut squash chili recipe: ground turkey or beef, avocado oil or olive oil, garlic, onion, green bell peppers, chili beans, diced tomatoes, broth, butternut squash, pumpkin pie spice, chili powder, oregano, cumin and sea salt. To make this clean-eating, gluten-free meal even better, you can add optional toppings like avocado, parsley, cilantro, onion, shredded, cheese, Greek yogurt and lime wedges.
Serve this comforting chili recipe for dinner with some warm, crusty bread and you have a perfect cool-weather meal. Note that this delicious soup recipe is even better the next day for lunch!
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Cuisine: American / Mexican
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 1 1/2pounds lean ground turkey or grass-fed ground beef
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large yellow or red onion, diced
- 2 large green bell peppers, seeded and diced
- 2 cans (15 ounces each)kidney beans,chili beans and/orblack beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can (15 ounces)diced tomatoes, with juices
- 1 cuplow-sodium bone broth (chicken, vegetable or beef)
- 1 small butternut squash, peeled and diced (about 4 cups)
- 2 teaspoonspumpkin pie spice
- 2 teaspoonschili powder
- 2 teaspoonsdried oregano
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
- optional toppings: diced avocado, chopped parsley, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapenos, red onion, shredded cheese, Greek yogurt, lime wedges
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Recipe Notes
- You can use any color bell pepper you have on hand.
- You can use kidney beans, chili beans or black beans, or a combination of beans.
- As an alternative way to cook this chili, you can cook your meat as described below, then combine all ingredients in your slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
- Store leftovers in a container in the refrigerator for up to three days. This chili also freezes well.
Here's how to make it:
- Heat oil in large pot oven over medium-high heat.Add in ground meat and cook, stirring while crumbling, until no longer pink, about 5 to7 minutes.Drain grease if it's excessive.
- Stir in all spices, diced bell pepper, garlic and onion. Continue cooking until the meat has browned and the onion has softened.
- Add in the beans, tomatoes, broth and butternut squash.Cover with a lid and cook on low heat for an additional 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Garnish with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Recipe and photos courtesy of Clean Food Crush.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving
Calories: 268
Total Fat: 7.5g
Saturated Fat: 2.2g
Cholesterol: 61mg
Sodium: 595mg
Total Carbohydrate: 28.5g
Dietary Fiber: 8.6g
Total Sugars: 6.6g
Protein: 24.2g
Vitamin D: 0mcg
Calcium: 89mg
Iron: 4mg
Potassium: 932mg
Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. This recipe has been analyzed by VeryWellFit. However, any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.
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FAQs
Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.
What liquid to add to chili? ›
Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.
How can I make my chili more soupy? ›
Add more water or tomato sauce if it's too thick. Keeping the lid on can keep the steam in resulting in thinner chili. Also, if I cook chili in the crock pot it is usually thinner, as the lid collects the steam rather than it evaporating.
What kind of beans are used in chili? ›
The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.
What is the most important spice in chili? ›
Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.
What not to put in chili? ›
Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.
What makes chili taste better? ›
A cup of strong, brewed coffee will work wonders for your pot of chili, imparting a deep, roasted flavor that will make the chili taste like it simmered away all day long. For maximum flavor, reduce the coffee along with a blend of tomato paste, aromatic veggies and spices like we do in our Spicy Vegetarian Chili.
What spices can you add to chili to make it taste better? ›
If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.
What ingredient will thicken chili? ›
The good news is there are lots of easy ways to thicken up your chili with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry— flour, cornmeal, pureed beans, cornstarch, or even crushed tortilla chips will help do the job, along with some good old extra simmering time.
Should chili be thick or soupy? ›
Traditionally, we expect a robust, spicy base, meat and/or beans, perhaps some bonus veggies, and a thick, rich consistency. Unlike soups, which are brothy, or even bisques, which are creamy yet thinner, chili is meant to be more stew-like; it's a definite stick-to-your-ribs creation.
Add cornmeal: Cornmeal absorbs excess liquid, so adding a tablespoon of it to your pot of chili will thicken the final result. Allow the chili to simmer for about ten minutes after you add the cornmeal.
Do I drain beans for chili? ›
However, canned beans are soaked in a canning liquid that can throw off your dish's seasoning and texture, so it's best to drain and rinse your beans before pouring them into your pot of chili. Canning liquid can also water down and dilute the flavors of your chili.
Which onion is best for chili? ›
Sweet onions are great for caramelizing due to their higher sugar content. You can cook them into your chili, serve them raw over top, or even elevate your chili with a sophisticated caramelized onion topping! Some of my favorite sweet onions are Walla, Walla, Maui, and Vidalia Onions.
Does Gordon Ramsay put beans in chili? ›
Gordon Ramsay's recipe for chili con carne includes onion, a red chili pepper, fresh tomatoes, and kidney beans. Ramsay's chili recipe is lengthy — it includes everything from ground cumin and sweet paprika to a cinnamon stick, ground beef or beef mince, and garlic.
What are the best tomatoes for chili? ›
If you're using canned tomatoes, look for San Marzano tomatoes canned without salt and sugar if you can find them. That way you can add your own seasonings. San Marzanos also have the best flavor for home made tomato sauce. Why do beans bastardize chili while tomatoes do not?
Why would you put vinegar in chili? ›
With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.
Why do you put brown sugar in chili? ›
The brown sugar gave it a sweet/tangy flavor that reminded me of BBQ-sauce! Th chili was so good - it was hard to stop eating it! I did had some extra veggies (1 cl. garlic, 1 celery stalk, 1 carrot, 1 bell pepper, 1 hot pepper) and used a can of diced tomatoes rather than tomato juice.
What does adding sugar to chili do? ›
Why is sugar used in this chili recipe? Sugar is used to cut the acidity of the tomatoes used in my homemade chili recipe. Using a small amount of sugar balances the flavors which in turn creates a smoother and richer taste overall.
