Slow Cooker Pumpkin, Turkey, Kale Chili
on Oct 06, 2014, Updated Jul 16, 2024
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Are there any meals that you and your spouse will never agree on no matter how hard you try to make them like it? For me and my husband it’s chili. I don’t know what it is, but my husband just doesn’t like it…crazy talk I know. Well, sometimes I just need to make a meal that I really love, regardless of whether or not he likes it. Last week we had a couple of colder, rainy days and I had a major craving for some chili. I decided to make this Slow Cooker Pumpkin, Turkey, Kale Chili.
This chili is packed with so much good flavor and was so easy to make. One of my favorite things about chili is it always makes a lot so I can freeze half of it for a day when I don’t have time or don’t feel like cooking. This chili isn’t your average tomato based chili, no no, this chili uses pumpkin, chicken broth, and a little beer. Yep, that’s right pumpkin and beer, doesn’t get more fallish than that! Now if you’re a little skeptical about the two of these in your pot of chili, don’t be. Trust me on this. The pumpkin doesn’t make the chili taste like your favorite fall pie, and if you don’t like beer, I promise you won’t detect the taste of it. There is just something about adding beer to certain dishes that adds extra flavor that spices and seasoning can’t give it.
Aside from the great flavor of this chili it is also extremely healthy and hearty. I found myself feeling quite full after only having a small bowl of it. All of the protein from the ground turkey and beans really makes this a filling meal. To make the Pumpkin, Turkey, Kale Chili, I started by browning the turkey in a skillet. Once it was cooked through I dumped it into my slow cooker. Next I added the diced onion and garlic to the skillet and cooked them for about two minutes, just until the onion had softened. I then added those to the slow cooker. Now here’s where it gets difficult, add the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker, put the lid on, and turn it on low. Whew! That was rough! Seriously guys, slow cooker meals are the bomb (I know, that’s so 90’s of me to say that)!
About an hour into the cooking process my house started to smell fantastic! The smell of the pumpkin, all the wonderful spices, and the onion and garlic, made the house smell like warm delicious comfort food that you want to curl up in a blanket with. There is a plus side to my husband not liking chili, I now have several more servings of this glorious fall Pumpkin, Turkey, Kale Chili waiting for me in the freezer the next time a cold dreary day rolls around!
More Fall Soups and Stews!
Slow Cooker Green Chile Pork Stew
“Creamy” Cauliflower Soup with Bacon and Cheddar
I made some modifications (substituted ground beef, water instead of beer, a bit extra kale), but when I put this in MFP as 6 servings, it came to:
230 calories
8g fat
18g carbs
6g fiber
4g sugar
24g protein
Your recipe says it serves 6—- what size of a serving does that come out to be? Thank you- delicious!! (I’m eating it as I type…)
What is a serving size for this?
The chili should make 5-6 servings.
But how much? 1/2 cup a cup?
I would say about 1 cup.
Sounds good, not sure about the kale? Also, is your ‘t’ a tablespoon or teaspoon? =)
Hi Maureen. The ‘t’ is teaspoon and the ‘T’ is tablespoon. :-)
Could someone post the nutritionals for this recipe, please?
Hi Marlene. Unfortunately I don’t post nutritional info on my recipes at this time. However, I’ve heard that MyFitnessPal has a good calculator for doing this.
I really love a good slow cooker meal and the addition of pumpkin to chili. It brings a little sweetness that works so well with all the other savory flavors. And a beer is never a bad idea! Great recipe, pinning this one for later.
Thanks Nicola! You are so right that adding beer is never a bad idea! ;-)
Pumpkin and beer are two of my favorite ingredients! I think I’m going to have to pull out the slow cooker this weekend.
They work great together in this chili Jordan, I hope you like it!
Oh my! I’m absolutely loving all the “autumn” going on in this chili! One of my favorites!
Thanks girly! It’s so delicious!
I am loving this chili Danae, so great!!
Thanks Matt! :-)
I have a hard time understanding how someone can not like chili, too…but they’re certainly out there! I can’t get enough of the stuff and am always psyched to try new versions. The idea of throwing warm spices, turkey, kale, and pumpkin in a crock, setting it and coming home to an insanely delicious smelling home and a comforting meal sounds marvelous! I’m all over this recipe, girl!!
It’s crazy Julia, I don’t understand at all. The chili definitely makes the house smell fantastic!