Butternut Squash Chili Recipe (2024)

Butternut Squash Chili recipe made with ground beef or turkey, butternut squash, vegetables, and spices makes a hearty and delicious chili recipe! Recipe includes changes for Paleo, Whole 30 and Vegetarian needs. Also includes make ahead and freezer instructions!

This is without a doubt my absolute favorite time of the year. I spend as much time outside as I possibly can since we’re pastthe hot and humid stage and right smack dab in the middle of mild temperatures and gorgeous days. It is the perfect time of year!

It is also the perfect time of the year for making chilis, soups, stews and comforting dishes and this hearty Butternut Squash Chili recipe definitely doesn’t disappoint.

Butternut Squash Chili Recipe

It is loaded with layered flavors that mingle together to make a chili recipe that is comforting and satisfying without having to simmer all day. By sautéing the spices along with onion and garlic, they release even more flavor into this chili recipe. The addition of butternut squash then makes this chili recipe even more filling and adds a hint of sweetness that is perfectly balanced in this spicy chili. I also love that it adds so much Vitamin A, C and fiber to this dish!

If you have special dietary concerns, you can easily modify this chili recipe to fit your needs. If you are following a paleo, Whole 30, or similar lifestyle, you would simply omit the beans included in this chili. If you are vegetarian, simply omit the ground beef or turkey and swap the chicken stock for vegetable broth instead.

Here’s my Butternut Squash Chili Recipe. Yay for fall!

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Butternut Squash Chili Recipe

Robyn Stone

Ingredients

▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
▢ 1 onion, diced
▢ 3 cloves garlic, chopped
▢ 1 tablespoon chili powder
▢ 1 tablespoon ground cumin
▢ 2 teaspoons dried oregano
▢ 1 pound ground beef
▢ 3 tablespoons tomato paste
▢ 2 bell pepper, seeded and chopped
▢ 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce
▢ 1 1/2 cups chicken stock or broth
▢ 2 cups cooked pinto beans , or 2 (14.5 ounce) cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained
▢ 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed into ½ inch pieces
▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
▢ 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
▢ Optional toppings: diced avocado, sour cream, or red pepper flakes

Instructions

Drizzle olive oil into a Dutch oven set over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, and oregano and saute the onions until tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the ground beef or turkey and cook until browned. Drain away any excess drippings and stir in tomato paste, bell pepper, tomato sauce, chicken stock, pinto beans, butternut squash, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until the chili is thickened and the butternut squash is tender, but not falling apart, about 20 minutes.

Notes

Special Dietary Changes:
If you have special dietary concerns, you can easily modify this chili recipe to fit your needs. If you are following a paleo,Whole 30, or similar lifestyle, you would simply omit the beans included in this chili and not include the optional sour cream topping. If you are vegetarian, simply omit the ground beef or turkey and swap the chicken stock for vegetable broth instead and omit the optional sour cream topping.
Make-Ahead:
This chili recipe is a great make-ahead dish! Reduce the cooking time and stop cooking before the butternut squash reaches tenderness. Allow to cool and store in the refrigerator. To serve, reheat over medium heat, cooking until the butternut squash is tender. This prevents the butternut squash from overcooking or becoming mushy.
Freezer Friendly:
Prepare the chili as directed, stopping the cooking time before the butternut squash becomes tender. Allow to cool completely and store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat over medium heat in a Dutch oven or large saucepan until heated throughout and the butternut squash is tender.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Categorized as:All Recipes, Beef Recipes, By Cooking Style, By Special Diets, Cooking, Dinner Recipes, Egg-Free Recipes, Freezer Friendly Recipes, Game Day Recipes, Gluten-Free Recipes, Grain-Free Recipes, Ground Beef Recipes, Halloween Recipes, Make-ahead Recipes, One Dish Meal Recipes, Recipes, , Soup and Stew Recipes, Sugar-Free Recipes

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About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

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