115 oz canpure pumpkin pureenot pumpkin pie filling
115 oz canblack beansrinsed and drained
114.5 oz candiced tomatoeswith juices
115 oz cantomato saucelow sodium preferred
1cuplow-sodium chicken broth
2tspchili powder
1.5tspground cumin
1tspsmoked paprika
0.5tspgarlic powder
0.5tsponion powder
0.25tspcayenne pepperadjust to taste
0.75tspkosher saltplus more to taste
0.25tspblack pepperfreshly ground
Optional Toppings
plain Greek yogurt or light sour cream
shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
sliced green onions
sliced avocado
fresh cilantro
lime wedges
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Instructions
Brown the Turkey
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until well browned and cooked through, about 7–8 minutes. Don't rush this step — letting the turkey get some color builds deep flavor. Drain any excess liquid if needed.
Push the turkey to the sides of the pot and add the diced onion and red bell pepper to the center. Sauté for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
Bloom the Spices
Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper directly to the pot over the turkey and vegetables. Stir constantly for 30–60 seconds, toasting the spices in the residual heat and oil. This step makes a significant difference in the depth of flavor of the finished chili.
Build the Chili
Pour in the pumpkin puree, diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, rinsed black beans, and chicken broth. Stir everything together thoroughly until the pumpkin is fully incorporated and the mixture is uniform in color.
Bring the chili to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low. Cover partially with a lid and let simmer for 30–35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. The chili will thicken and the flavors will deepen significantly during this time.
Taste, Adjust & Serve
Taste the chili and adjust seasoning — add more salt, cayenne, or chili powder as needed. If the chili is thicker than you'd like, stir in a splash more chicken broth. If you want it even thicker, simmer uncovered for an additional 5–10 minutes.
Ladle into bowls and serve hot with your choice of toppings such as a dollop of Greek yogurt, shredded cheese, sliced green onions, avocado, and a squeeze of fresh lime.
Notes
Storage: Cool completely and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of broth.Freezer-friendly: Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.Slow cooker method: Brown the turkey and sauté aromatics as directed, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.For less heat: Omit or reduce the cayenne pepper entirely.For more heat: Add a diced jalapeño with the onion and bell pepper, or stir in a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce with the liquids.