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Easy Butternut Squash Chili With Turkey or Beef

This Easy Butternut Squash Chili recipe is made with red or black beans, turkey or ground beef, and homemade chili seasoning. Feel free to roast your squash for added flavor! Top the chili with sour cream, avocado, or crackers.
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine American
Keyword butternut squash black bean chili, butternut squash chili, roasted butternut squash chili
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 cups
Calories 286kcal
Author Brandi Crawford

Equipment

  • Cast Iron Dutch Oven
  • Freezer Soup Molds

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • ½ cup chopped onions
  • ½ cup chopped green peppers
  • ½ cup chopped red peppers
  • 2-3 garlic cloves Minced.
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 30 oz canned chili beans Drained. I used 2 15oz cans.
  • 15 oz corn Canned, fresh, or frozen.
  • 15 oz canned diced tomatoes and chilis Drained.
  • ½ cup broth Beef, Chicken, Vegetable, etc.
  • 4 cups butternut squash Peeled and seeded chopped into cubes about ½-1 inch thick.
  • 6 oz canned tomato paste

Homemade Chili Seasoning (You can also use a store-bought chili packet if you wish).

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon red cayenne pepper Optional for spicy.

Instructions

  • Heat a Dutch oven or large stock pot on medium high heat. When hot, add the olive oil, chopped onions, green peppers, and red peppers.
  • Saute for a few minutes until the veggies are soft.
  • Add in the minced garlic and stir.
  • Add in the ground beef. Use a meat chopper and break down the ground beef.
  • Season the beef with the chili spices and seasoning. Stir until the ground beef has fully cooked or for about 5-6 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
  • Add the broth, beans, corn, diced tomatoes and chilies, tomato paste, and cubed squash to the pot. Stir.
  • Adjust the heat to medium-low. Cover the pot and allow the chili to simmer until the squash is soft, for about 35-40 minutes. Check in every 10 minutes and stir.
    If using cooked and roasted squash the cook/simmer time is only 15-20 minutes.
  • Cool before serving.

Notes

  • You can use ground turkey, ground chicken, ground beef, whatever you like, or omit the meat.
  • You can use any beans you prefer for this recipe.
  • Instead of making your own seasoning, you can use a chili packet if you wish.
  • Feel free to add sugar or sweetener to the chili if you like it sweet.
  • This recipe has not been tested with an Instant Pot.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 286kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 10g