;

Browse with Google Chrome for the best possible experience.

Sign up to make meal plans and save your favorite recipes (CREATE AN ACCOUNT) >>

GfreeDeliciously is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Read our affiliate policy to learn more.

Hearty & Healthy Turkey and Pumpkin Chili

Simple wholesome food for those days when you need a meal ready to eat lickety-split!

Hearty, Healthy Turkey Pumpkin Chili

ABOUT THIS RECIPE (per serving)

Gluten FreeHealthy Choices
Servings:  6
AVG. Maker RATING: 
5 from 2 votes
Write a Recipe Review
Prep Time :15 minutes
Cook Time :15 minutes
Total Time :1 hour 30 minutes
Course : Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine : American
Diet : Gluten Free
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Calories 395
Fat 16
Carbohydrates 36.6
Protein 29

During busy pre-holiday schedules, when the weather turns colder, there’s nothing better than warming up with dinner served in a bowl that screams, “Make Me!” Simple, wholesome food for those days when you want a meal ready to eat lickety-split! This Hearty & Healthy, Sweet-n-Slightly Spicy Turkey Pumpkin Chili recipe is now one of my go-to meals that’s super satisfying, has excellent flavor, is easy to make, and is simple to double or triple the batch if you’re feeding a crowd. Perfect for throwing together or making ahead for a dinner that’s ready in no time flat!

The inspiration for this Turkey and Pumpkin Chili recipe came after a week of being too busy to make it by the grocery store. My dear hubby was going to be home in less than an hour. So, I was looking for ingredients for what might be called “Kitchen-Sink Chili,” made from ingredients that I typically have on hand in my freezer, pantry, and refrigerator.

What could be better than a warm bowl of chili when the weather turns cold? My answer would be to make the chili hearty, healthy and low in calories too!

That’s when I discovered I was out of all types of ground frozen burgers, kidney beans, chili beans, and green peppers, all of which I use in my beef-based chili recipe. My heart began to pick up its pace.

What now? Humm, I stood as if frozen in my footsteps with the freezer door wide open, gawking, pondering, thinking, wondering…

Spying a nearly 6-month-old package of frozen ground turkey, I grabbed it quicker than a one-armed bandit! Almost jumping for joy, I turn, catching the freezer door with my foot to close it, “This could be what’s for dinner tonight,” I reaffirm out loud.

By the way, talking to yourself is permissible, especially when you need inspiration and have no idea what you’re about to come up with for dinner.

Another glance at my watch shows fifty minutes and counting before dear hubby is home.

Not that he expects dinner to be on the table when he arrives. He doesn’t. It’s all in my head, the reasoning, agonizing about why something needs to be simmering on the stove or baking in the oven, awaiting his arrival. It’s entirely a hang-up I own.

I’m sure some psychotherapist somewhere could explain why I put this pressure on myself. Nevertheless, I do it. For whatever reason, I have this crazy idea that if dinner is underway and I can make it look like everything in our world is harmonious, life rolling along blissfully, then, in fact, it will be just that: no stress, no worries, simply a blissful world at Lac du Nibiinaabe.

Another glance at my watch confirms that it is just forty-five minutes now.

“C’mon girl, get with it! No time to spare.” The voice in my head propels me into action.

I begin loading my arms with fixings from the pantry – Canned Tomatoes, Baby Butter Beans (“Thoughts” – Yes/No??? Yes. The flavor of the beans should go well enough with turkey.), Red Onion, Canned Pumpkin (WHAT? Canned PUMPKIN??? Oh, what the hey, YES, Canned Pumpkin. I think I’ve read about using it in chili somewhere.)

All ingredients gathered, plop, or thud into the skillet, and the frozen ground turkey is finally on the stovetop. Add a little water, medium heat, and cover with a lid; the frozen mass is on its way to thawing quickly. Thanks to my mix-n-chop-it tool, as the turkey thaws and cooks, it’s easy to break down into smaller pieces in the pan. Then comes the olive oil to brown the meat on all sides.

While the turkey cooks, I chop up the onion and yellow pepper from the fridge, then add them to the skillet to sauté along with garlic before stirring in the remaining ingredients.

The magic begins. The kitchen transformed into a pleasing place full of warmth. “It smells wonderful in here!”

I turn the burner to a low simmer. The breezeway door opens—Hubby’s home.

“Hi, honey! Glad you made it!”

Under my breath, I breathed a silent sigh of relief. Whew! Calming, the tension in my body relaxes; I smile, knowing that everything has come together just in time.

“How was your day?” I ask casually. “Oh, and by the way – dinner should be ready in about thirty minutes…”

Signup for eNEWS UPDATES + Your FREE Basic Member Pass
♥ RECIPES + RESOURCES STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX ♥

Simple and delicious gluten-free recipes, family-friendly meal ideas, healthy cooking, encouragement, and easy-to-implement lifestyle strategies to live fully nourished… Only from GfreeDeliciously!

I promise not to spam you. Pinkie swear!

Hearty, Healthy Turkey Pumpkin Chili for Breakfast Too!
Yummy for breakfast! Poach an egg or two, and serve over Hearty & Healthy, Sweet-n-Slightly Spicy Turkey Pumpkin Chili with your favorite brand of grated cheddar cheese and parsley to garnish...

Most importantly, a quick fifteen minutes is all it takes to get this yummy chili ready to simmer. That’s not bad for a dish that can easily be reheated, last a few days, and is perfect as part of breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Hearty, Healthy Turkey Pumpkin Chili

Hearty & Healthy Turkey Pumpkin Chili

Kymberley @GfreeDeliciously
Hearty & Healthy, Sweet-n-Slightly Spicy Turkey Pumpkin Chili that’s super easy and quick to make on the stovetop or in the slow-cooker. It’ll stick to your ribs – not to your waistline!
5 from 2 votes
Gluten FreeHealthy Choices
This recipe may contain affiliate links. For more information, visit our Affiliate Disclosure.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 395 kcal

INGREDIENTS
 
 

  • 1 pound ground Turkey
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1 medium Red Onion diced
  • 1 medium Yellow Bell Pepper diced
  • 1 clove Garlic (fresh or jarred), minced
  • 1 can Pumpkin
  • 1 can Baby Butter Beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 cans Diced Tomatoes canned, packed in juice
  • 1 Cup Chicken Stock or 1 Chicken Bouillon packet plus one cup water
  • 2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • Cheddar Cheese grated for topping.
Add ingredients to your "Quick Access Shopping List" before ordering online.
Quick Add Ingredients to Shopping List

INSTRUCTIONS
 

  • Heat a large deep skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and ground turkey, stir and chop to brown the meat on all sides.
  • Add onion, pepper, and garlic to the skillet, sauté for about three minutes until the onion begins to turn translucent and peppers are slightly tender.
  • Stir in remaining ingredients, turning in the pan until everything is combined. Reduce burner heat to medium-low and simmer for 30-45 minutes for the flavors to blend*.
  • Serve with Cheddar Cheese

Nutrition

Calories: 395kcalCarbohydrates: 36.6gProtein: 29gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5.8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2.7gMonounsaturated Fat: 5.8gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 576.4mgPotassium: 1079.9mgFiber: 11.5gSugar: 10.8gVitamin A: 637.6IUVitamin C: 37.1mgCalcium: 231.9mgIron: 4.8mg
Keyword Chili, pumpkin, quick and easy, turkey
Tried this recipe?Review it ! Or leave a comment. It’s super helpful for others and us!

Recipe Card powered by WP Recipe Maker

(Nutritional values are an approximation. Actual nutritional values may vary due to preparation techniques, variations related to suppliers, regional and seasonal differences, or rounding.)

Copyright © 2017-2023 Kymberley Pekrul | GfreeDeliciously | gfreedeliciously.com | All content and photographs are copyright protected. The sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. However, copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please read my Photo Use Policy for detailed guidelines and further clarification.

Be among the first to know whenever we post a new recipe by following us on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. So follow along, and let’s make food GfreeDeliciously together!

Share the LVE

Pinterest
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

When you make our recipes, snap a photo, post it, and tag it with #CookingGfreeDeliciously on Instagram. Enjoy, xo!

Find us @GfreeDeliciously

Still hungry? Here’s more

Easy Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary
Easy Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary
Strawberry & Chocolate Ganache Smothered Gluten-Free Brownies
Strawberry & Chocolate Ganache Smothered Gluten-Free Brownies
Easy Honey Garlic Salmon with Broccolini and Rice
Easy Honey Garlic Salmon with Broccolini and Rice
Easy Roasted Carrot, Cranberry & Goat Cheese Kale Salad
Easy Roasted Carrot, Cranberry & Goat Cheese Kale Salad
The Best Holiday Cranberry Sauce
The Best Holiday Cranberry Sauce
previous arrow
next arrow

Florentine Balsamic and Rosemary Marinade for Grilled Steak

Use this secret-weapon steak marinade recipe to make your next grilled steak dinner extra tasty! Stir this savory Florentine Balsamic and Rosemary Marinade together in just a few minutes, then let your favorite cut of steak bathe in the magical light mixture for hours to bring out the natural flavor of the juicy steak. To make the marinade, chop fresh rosemary, add balsamic vinegar, a little lemon zest, and the best extra virgin olive oil you can afford, and get ready for delicious!

Read More

How to Make a Gluten-Free Roux

Roux (pronounced “roo”) is a primary cooking method for thickening various gravies, soups, and sauces. An alternative to using cornstarch, it’s made by combining equal parts (by weight) of fat and flour, then adding the mixture to milk or stock. It’s also an easy culinary skill to master at home!

Read More

I'd love to hear your thoughts...

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
1 Comment
newest
oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Where there's a whisk, there's always a way to enjoy it gluten-free...

Kymberley @gfreedeliciously

Kymberley @gfreedeliciously

Hi, I'm Kymberley, the creator of GfreeDeliciously and the Amazing, Glorious Journey Programs. I pray that my work will inspire you to honor your body through God and Good Food from the inside out, all while enjoying your Amazing, Glorious Journey!

Take a peek at the behind GfreeDeliciously

Being creative, cooking, fresh veggies, the violin, decorating for holidays, sewing, hand-quilting, cowgirl boots, country music, fresh herbs in pots, blowing dandelions to the wind, walking barefoot in the grass, hanging out with eclectic interesting people, reading, writing, warm lazy summer days, and yoga!

Gluten, cilantro, mixed vegetables (the frozen kind I grew up with), negativism, rudeness, narcissism, overstaying a welcome,
not helping out, liars, promiscuity, cockiness, know-it-alls, being overly-dramatic, goal-less-ness, poor hygiene, chauvinism, lacking a sense of humor, excessive competitiveness, Laziness, horrifying spellers, people-bashing, criticism and mockery of others and their beliefs, flakiness (because flaky people are really unappealing), more swagger than substance, people who constantly manage others (those folks who think they have all the answers…)

Lambrusco, my iPad, popcorn suppers, dark chocolate, cookbooks, Almond-Rocca, historical romances, sun-bathing, weekend coffee with a good book in bed, PBS cooking shows, romantic comedies, cozy sweaters, fuzzy socks, and fragrant bubble baths with soft music and wine…

Say please and thank you, LAUGH, Pray often, ENCOURAGE others, Be KIND, HONEST, HAPPY, Keep your PROMISES, Be GRATEFUL, Wash your hands, FORGIVE yourself and others, LISTEN, Have FAITH, Be CONFIDENT, Honor your parents, CHERISH your children and grandchildren, TREASURE your family, ABIDE in GOD’s love, Be POLITE, Guard your HEART, SEEK your purpose, FEED your mind, body and soul, Be HOPEFUL, Resist temptation, Lay your burdens down, TRUST your gut, CONNECT with nature, Know that GOD made you perfect just the way you are, SERVE others, LIVE to love, Be COURAGEOUS, Shine bright, OPEN your mind, RESPECT differences, HONOR your inner hunger, SING loud, Be PROUD of who you are, Practice PATIENCE, Never give up, WEATHER the storms of life, Say I love you, LOVE one another

  • I’ve traveled to 32 states in the USA where I’ve enjoyed the food, history, people and the local culture while visiting.
  • Among the states, I’ve lived in are Arizona, California, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
  • My favorite island is Maui.
  • I’ve also been to Canada and Mexico.
  • I rode horses as a kid, and barrel-raced.
  • I broke my neck when I was 18 and went to senior prom in a neck brace.
  • As a little girl, I grew up living next door to my grandma and grandpa on a small lake in rural southern Michigan.
  • The first thing I learned to cook was pancakes.
  • The craziest thing I ever made was mint-flavored green cupcakes when I was 13. My family didn’t like them much…
  •  

– ADVERTISEMENT –

Kymberley @gfreedeliciously
Coach | Cook | Creator | Publisher

Meet Kymberley [Upson] Pekrul

A professional writer and self-taught Gfree lifestyle expert on [most] gluten-free things, I’ve always loved cooking and creating delicious foods from scratch for myself and those I love.

My journey began when everything I thought I knew about cooking and eating suddenly changed one day when I discovered I was celiac. So, I re-learned how to eat, cook, and navigate through life gluten-free – trusting God and His plan for me.

I live in what’s known as the Holylands of Central Wisconsin. All the recipes you’ll find here are gluten-free and inspired by the people and places I love most. Whenever possible, I cook with seasonal ingredients using whole foods – Making dishes suitable for everyday life and all food lovers gathered at the same table.

Gfree cooking, health, and wellness ARE my life. And this little corner of the internet is where I share what I’ve learned – Where my passion IS to nourish everyday GfreeDeliciously!

Thanks for stopping by!

FOLLOW US

Signup for a FREE Basic Pass +eNEWS UPDATES

Simple and delicious gluten-free recipes, family-friendly meal ideas, healthy cooking, encouragement, and easy-to-implement lifestyle strategies to live fully nourished… Only from GfreeDeliciously!

Learn more about our SUBSCRIPTION PLANS!

FEATURED

- Most Popular Right Now -

VIDEO

Follow Me

When You Support

Our Advertisers

You Support Us

Thank You!

Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links on this page are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I use all of the products listed and recommend them because they are companies that I have found helpful and trustworthy. Prices and availability are accurate as of time posted. Please let me know if you have any questions! More about affiliate links HERE…

Bringing you an Alway Gluten-Free
Better Food Experience!

– ADVERTISEMENT –

– ADVERTISEMENT –

– ADVERTISEMENT –

– ADVERTISEMENT –

– ADVERTISEMENT –

– ADVERTISEMENT –

– ADVERTISEMENT –

– ADVERTISEMENT –

Clean Eating
(for real life)

Get the ULTIMATE Guide to
Shopping for CLEAN FOOD & Buying Organic Food in the Market!

On G-Free Deliciously

Still, More to explore...

Come back for new recipes weekly...
1
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x

Signup for eNEWS UPDATES

+ GET A FREE BASIC PASS
TO UNLOCK A WHOLE BUNCH
OF FREE STUFF

RECIPES • RESOURCES • & MORE

STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX !

Simple and delicious gluten-free recipes, family-friendly meal ideas, healthy cooking, encouragement, and easy-to-implement lifestyle strategies to live fully nourished… Only from GfreeDeliciously!

I promise not to spam you. Pinkie swear!

Signup for eNEWS UPDATES

+ Your FREE Basic Member Pass

Simple and delicious gluten-free recipes, family-friendly meal ideas, healthy cooking, encouragement, and easy-to-implement lifestyle strategies to live fully nourished… Only from GfreeDeliciously!

I promise not to spam you. Pinkie swear!

Click to Print Recipe

The “Print Recipe” link above will ONLY WORK on a recipe page.