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Butternut Squash Chili

This Butternut Squash Chili is made for all those chilly evenings. Gather the family around the table and warm up with a delicious bowl of this hearty and healthy dinner.

butternut squash chili in a bowl
Big, bold flavors await you in this butternut squash chili – it’s the best cozy chili all season long.

Butternut Squash Chili

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend! It always comes and goes way too quickly.

Despite knowing better, I always let the boys stay up way too late during the holiday breaks (movies, popcorn, or games, anyone?!)

We totally pay for it Monday morning. That’s where this Butternut Squash Chili swoops in to save the day…or maybe the week.

butternut squash chili in a blue pot with ladle
Butternut Squash Chili is a one-pot, deliciously healthy meal.

Perfect chili for chilly days

Speaking of Mondays, Miss Snowstorm has decided to waltz in on the first day back to business. Snow blowers are out there in full force. Snow plows are doing their darndest to keep up.

I did my annual mad scramble for all the kids’ snow gear that has been long forgotten in The Closet Abyss. I literally looked crazy, knee deep all the outgrown boots and beanie hats with their puff balls falling off.

But here’s my happy in the blizzard: Butternut Squash Chili. It’s so chili time.

Why this is the best chili ever

This is not just any chili. This fall inspired chili is hearty, healthy, and teeming with turkey and squash. Delicious (and easy) satisfaction in a bowl.

The use of fall squash rewards us with such vibrant colors, texture, and flavor. Not to mention it’s loaded with nutrients our bodies crave.

There’s something kind of magical about the seasons in the Midwest.  Here’s to snow boots that fit and beanie hats with puff balls sewn back on.

And to sitting down to steaming hot bowl of chili with your favorite people.

butternut squash chili in a bowl with spoon
Make the most of butternut squash season with this comforting, healthy chili.

watch This butternut squash chili in Action


Did you make this?

Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!

butternut squash chili in a bowl with spoon

Butternut Squash Chili

4.41 from 70 ratings
This Butternut Squash Chili is made for all those chilly evenings. Gather the family around the table and warm up with a delicious bowl of this hearty and healthy dinner.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 10
Author: Amy Dong

Ingredients  

Instructions

  • In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil until hot. Add onion and garlic, stirring until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add sugar, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, oregano, and coriander. Stir to combine, 10 seconds.
  • Add ground turkey to pot and sprinkle 1 tsp salt over it; cook/stir to break up into small pieces. When turkey is cooked through, add tomato paste and stir 30 seconds.
  • Add bell peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes with juices, and broth. Scrape bottom of pan while stirring. Bring chili to a simmer; simmer covered for 20 minutes.
  • Add beans and squash. Bring chili back to a simmer and simmer covered another 20 minutes or just until squash is tender but not mushy. Remove from heat. Add additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve warm, with shredded cheddar if desired.

Notes

Chili keeps well; simply cover and chill in fridge. Reheat by bringing back to simmer on stovetop.
Make it meatless by using veggie broth and omitting turkey.
This butternut chili goes beautifully with Honey Cornbread Muffins (No Refined Sugar)
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating ♡

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 38.9g | Protein: 22.3g | Fat: 11.8g | Saturated Fat: 4.1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 44.4mg | Sodium: 622.8mg | Fiber: 11.5g | Sugar: 13.4g
Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Calorie, Low Lactose
Method: Slow Cooker, Stovetop

For the love of chili

  1. Lentil Black Bean Chili. Super hearty and delicious, with or without the meat.
Lentil black bean chili 3
  1. Slow Cooker Chili with Black Beans and Corn. Slow cookers are boss at making chili.
Slow Cooker Chili Black Beans and Corn

3. Turkey or Beef Chili with Sriracha. This chili recipe uses the ease of a slow cooker and the kick of Sriracha.

Hearty Chili with Sriracha
  1. White Chicken Chili. Throw it all in the slow cooker, without pre-cooking the chicken. This is the easiest and tastiest white chicken chili we’ve ever tasted (and we’ve tasted a whole lotta chili.)
White Chicken Chili 3

Add a comment

Recipe Rating




90 comments

    • Jill
    • 5 stars

    I did find a little over 2 cups wS the perfect amount, any more would have been too much.

      • Amy Dong

      ay, so glad you enjoyed this!

    • Jill
    • 5 stars

    I cook a whole lot, and always try different recipes. I had a squash at home, so I tried this recipe. Hands down my favorite chili recipe to date, fantastic!! I did use pinto, cause they are my favorite, and only 1 can, but otherwise I followed recipe, and was amazed how good!!! Thank you

      • Amy Dong

      Awesome!!

    • Christy
    • 5 stars

    Trust the recipe. I thought there was going to be too much cinnamon and squash, and both ended up great! I do wish a weight had been given for the squash though, since I didn’t weigh the one I used, just to make it easier if I had to swap out for pumpkin or sweet potato when making another time. We used veggie broth and plant protein (tvp) instead of turkey and LOVED this with lots of hot sauce and will be making it again very soon, the same exact way. Will likely try pairing with rice as other reviewers have mentioned. Thank you, delicious!

      • chewoutloud

      You’re very welcome, Christy. We’re so happy you loved it!

    • Tami
    • 5 stars

    I love this recipe. I added turkey sausage and green chiles too it. Awesome.

    • Dana

    If you did this recipe with beef and beef broth with a pair well together with the flavors you have?

      • chewoutloud

      That would work, Dana! 🙂

    • Esther
    • 5 stars

    I loved it, even though it is not a traditional chili. This recipe might just end up my family’s favorite chili.

      • chewoutloud

      So glad to hear it!

    • Gail
    • 5 stars

    Very good chili. I used 1/2 lb. 93% Ground beef and 2 Jennie O spicy turkey sausages. Great flavors!

      • chewoutloud

      So glad you enjoyed this, Gail! 🙂

    • Marie
    • 5 stars

    My family and I have enjoyed this dish several times and we all love it! I brown the turkey in a pan and make it in the crock pot. After the first time we had it I started omitting the sugar and don’t miss it. I have also browned the meat, prepped ingredients (except for broth) and thrown it into freezer bags so that I can pull it the night before out of the freezer and dump it in the crock pot along with the broth in the morning and it is just as delicious! A great make ahead meal.

      • chewoutloud

      Thanks, Marie, and happy fall 🙂 🙂

    • Layla Samra

    This looks delicious, can’t wait to try it for my kids! What can I use instead of fire-roasted tomatoes? They don’t eat anything spicy!

      • chewoutloud

      The fire-roasted tomatoes aren’t spicy at all…they just have a depth of flavor that comes from roasting the tomatoes. It’s so so good 🙂 Hope your whole family loves this, Layla!

    • Jay Mih

    These look so delicious. Will have to try to make this next week!

      • chewoutloud

      Yay! 🙂 Thanks, Jay!

    • Surekha-dreamingloud.com
    • 5 stars

    Yum..! It looks so festive..! Thanks for sharing the recipe.. I bet it’s so delicious..!

    • Kiwi
    • 5 stars

    I love that it is butternut squash season. I had butternut squash tonight and I never had it in chill form.

    • Rachel

    This sounds PERFECT! Can’t wait to try it!

      • Julie Syl
      • 5 stars

      I guess I will surely love this recipe. I love spicy food so much. I’m gonna eat it with rice..

    • ELIZABETH O

    awesome recipe and looks so delicious and healthy. Thanks for the recipe I’m gonna make this tonight. I love it.

    • tweenselmom

    These are absolute comfort food, healthy and power-packed. Love these!

      • chewoutloud

      You’re so welcome 🙂

        • Fuzionmag
        • 5 stars

        It’s so easy to cook and I’m sure it’s delicious.. Who won’t want a spicy squash..?! It will make a great pair for steamy rice..

    • Laura

    This looks so delicious and perfect meal for this time of the year. I need to try it for myself x

    Laura
    https://pinkfrenzymissl.blogspot.com/

    • aisasami
    • 5 stars

    Butternut squash chili sounds really yummy and I would love to try this. I don’t know if Japan has butternut squash but I will look for it!

      • chewoutloud

      You can certainly substitute with another hearty squash that’s similar in texture 🙂

    • MUDPIEFRIDAYS

    These recipe is such an amazing recipe. This is looks so very delicious and looks healthy.

    • Annemarie LeBlanc
    • 5 stars

    I saved the slow cooker version of this recipe. I will make this on the weekend. My sons will love this for sure. I like that this is one complete meal – meat and veggies all in one pot!

      • chewoutloud

      I’m super excited for you to taste it! Thanks for coming over, Annemarie!

    • Bree
    • 5 stars

    I LOVE butternut squash and I love chili! I never thought to make them as one dish! Cant wait to try this!

      • chewoutloud

      It’s my favorite chili 🙂

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