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Easy Slow Cooker Halloween Chili Recipe for a Crowd

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This hearty, flavorful chili is perfect for Halloween night. Made with ground beef, three types of beans, and a secret ingredient—pumpkin puree—it’s a set-it-and-forget-it meal that feeds a crowd and saves the day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 2 cups)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tablespoon pre-minced garlic)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes (fire-roasted preferred)
  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree (100% pure pumpkin)
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • For serving: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, tortilla chips or cornbread, pickled jalapeños

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink (6-8 minutes). Drain excess fat.
  2. Add diced onion to the skillet with the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Transfer the beef and onion mixture to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
  4. Add drained and rinsed beans, diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, and pumpkin puree. Stir until pumpkin is fully incorporated.
  5. Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  6. Stir in frozen corn.
  7. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
  8. About 30 minutes before serving, stir and taste. Adjust salt or spices as needed. If too thick, add a splash of beef broth or water; if too thin, leave lid off for 30 minutes.
  9. Serve hot with desired toppings.

Notes

For best flavor, brown the beef and sauté aromatics before adding to the slow cooker. Toasting the spices in the skillet for 30 seconds enhances their aroma. The chili tastes even better the next day. For a vegetarian version, omit beef and add an extra can of beans plus chopped bell pepper or zucchini. To thicken, mash a cup of beans against the side of the slow cooker and stir back in.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chili, Halloween chili, easy chili recipe, crowd-pleasing chili, pumpkin chili, ground beef chili

Find it online: https://cookyep.com/easy-slow-cooker-halloween-chili-recipe-for-a-crowd/