Pumpkin and turkey go together like peanut butter and jelly. And we all know pumpkin and fall go together even better. Long story short, this is the perfect recipe for fall! What a fitting recipe for the changing seasons. Sure, the first day of fall this year is supposed to hit 88 degrees where I am. Feels like fall to me! Regardless, it’s the day everyone in New England waits all year for. Even more than the first day of football, which I couldn’t care less about. Unless said football event gives me an excuse to eat good food. Like this chili!

This year I’m celebrating the first day of fall at the Big E! No better way to do it, in my opinion. For those of you outside of New England, the Big E is a two week long fair that draws millions of attendees. The event is held at the Eastern States Exhibition in West Springfield, Massachusetts. The Big E is home to every fried food imaginable. They also have really great small businesses from all over New England that I likely wouldn’t know about otherwise. It’s here that I like to start my Christmas shopping each year. After a few years I came to realize that the Big E is basically the same year after year, but it’s still so incredibly fun that I usually go twice. I went a few days back with Mike after work, and I’m using a vacation day to go with my mom too!

After a full day of debauchery with my mother, eating all of the foods and drinking all of the drinks I really shouldn’t be consuming, a hearty chili like this is exactly what I need to get some nutrients back into my body. Plus a ton of greens. Can’t forget the greens!

I trust that you will make better life decisions than I. No regret in this chili though! And you know what? You could throw all these ingredients in your slow cooker, hit start, head to your own fair, and when you come home you’ll have a few healthy meals for yourself for the week. It’s a no brainer and it’s what I like to do often myself. It’s nice to get back on track and back to feeling my best after a day of fun. The Big E is only here for a short time, and I sure do like to enjoy it while I can!

Pumpkin Turkey Chili

4 from 1 vote
A hearty, whole food slow cooker chili packed with the seasonal produce of fall.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 5 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1 yellow onion, medium diced
  • 1 14.5 ounce can pumpkin (not pie filling)
  • 2 cups butternut squash cubed small
  • 2 14 ounce cans fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • ½ tbsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • pinch cayenne pepper
  • sea salt to taste
  • fresh ground black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Slow cooker

Method
 

  1. Add all of the ingredients to a slow cooker and mix to combine. Cook on low for 7-8 hours. Stir, ladle into bowls, and serve warm. Enjoy!