Hey, autumn lovers! I really dig a warm bowl of goodness, don’t you? Whether it’s my morning oatmeal or a bowl full of leftovers, I love to wrap my hands around it and snuggle up. Fill that bowl with something like this Autumn Harvest Chili, packed with brightly colored fall veggies, and I’m especially happy.
I seldom stray from our family’s favorite Super-Fast Turkey Chili. It’s so good and so ridiculously easy that it’s been a staple on our table for years. However, this version, a mildly spiced combination of ground turkey, pumpkin, carrots, sweet potatoes, and corn, is a favorite as well. The bonus? It’s bean-less. In every family, there are legume lovers and legume leavers. With this dish I can endear myself to the leavers. You know who you are 🙂
What’s the 4-1-1 on Autumn Harvest Chili?
- First, let’s chat flavor. The chili powder and cumin meld with the sweetness of the veggies for a smoky/sweet flavor that’s warming and satisfying. Add a dollop of plain yogurt and cubes of ripe avocado for a warm bowl of good times and happiness.
- Second, it is packing a huge dose of carotene and Vitamin A from the sweet potato, carrots, and pumpkin. I swear, even your children’s children will see better after eating this chili!
- Finally, the cooking method is flexible. This is a one-pot wonder if you need it to be, on the table in under an hour. Or, invoke the powers of your slow cooker. Simply add the prepped ingredients and skip away la-la-la for hours while it works it’s magic under the dome. I include instructions for both cooking methods!
Recipe Tips
- Substitute vegan crumbles, ground beef, or ground pork for the turkey, or try a combination of these!
- Try raw, cubed winter squash (like butternut or acorn) in place of the sweet potato. Also, cooked winter squash is a nice substitue for the canned pumpkin.
- For more intense heat from the spice, add 1/4-1/2 teaspooon of cayenne. In my family, anything over 1/8 or so is too much! You do you.
- Toppings perfect for this chili include creamy plain yogurt, ripe avocado, sharp cheddar, or a dash of Frank’s Original hot sauce.
Autumn Harvest Chili
Everyone loves this no-bean Autumn Harvest Chili. It's a smoky/sweet combo of ground turkey, spices, and fall veggies like pumpkin and sweet potato.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil or canola oil
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 small onion, diced about ½ cup
- 1 large carrot, grated about ¾ cup
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1" cubes
- 1 15 oz can corn, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie mix)
- 2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes, no salt added – undrained
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp sea salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper optional
Instructions
Stovetop Method
-
Add the 1 tbsp of oil to a large soup pot or sauce pan (2 qt or 3 qt) and heat over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until no longer pink, breaking up large chunks as you go. Add the diced onion and saute for 3-4 minutes, until onions are translucent.
-
Add the carrots, sweet potato, corn, pumpkin, and diced tomatoes and mix well. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, salt, and cayenne (if using).
-
Continue cooking on medium-high until mixture starts to bubble. Lower heat to low-medium, cover, and allow to simmer for 30 minutes.
-
Serve hot topped with any combination of plain yogurt, sour cream, ripe avocado, lime juice, hot sauce, and/or sharp cheddar.
Slow Cooker Method
-
In a large skillet, heat the 1 tbsp of oil over medium-high heat. Add the turkey, and cook until no longer pink, breaking up large chunks as you go. Add the diced onion and saute for 3-4 minutes, until onions are translucent.
-
Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients (carrots, sweet potato, corn, pumpkin, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, and cayenne). Stir well, cover, and cook on High for 2-3 hours, or Low for 6-8 hours. Serve as above.
THIS LOOKS AMAZING!!!!
CAN YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE PRINTABLE?
Hi Kristin – My apologies for the delay in replying. There is a printer icon to the right of the ingredients in the recipe section. Just click that and it should print from there.
Fabulous
This looks like a great recipe for fall. Thank you for sharing it
Thanks for stopping by! We love it here, the No Beans is a big selling point for a couple of my kids.
Wonderful!! Thanks for stopping by to share 🙂
Looks great!
Thanks, Anna!