A comforting and easy crockpot chili for lazy days.
I love chili. I really do.
It’s so easy to make and you can turn it into anything you want it to be.
It doesn’t HAVE to be healthy, there’s all kinds of ways to make a chili. But 9 times out of 10, it’s one of the healthiest things on the menu. Especially when it’s got lots of beans.
This chili isn’t just easy. Or goooood. Or healthy. It’s really REALLY easy, good and healthy.
Extremely high in fiber and antioxidants (beans! pumpkin! whole tomatoes!), it’s also got anti-inflammatory spices (cinnamon! ginger! thyme!). Plus, it’s also really REALLY good. Oh, and easy. Did I mention easy?
Because practically everything I make is easy.
To make this, the only thing I did was open 4 cans and sprinkle some spices in a pot. I also browned the meat first, which took me all of 7 minutes.
I used a crock pot (but a big stove pot that you’ll watch a whole lot closer works too). It simmered in there on high for 4 hours.
That’s it.
The best thing about this chili is that it can do a LOT of different things.
I can eat this plain with a slice of cornbread or grilled in a quesadilla. It’s also the perfect topping for nachos or when you add some barbecue sauce it makes a ridiculously good sloppy joe sandwich. What I REALLY like is to doctor it up with some honey or with a scoop of sour cream.
Don’t sleep on the honey idea, ya’ll. The honey sets it OFF.
It’s even great with eggs and avocado plus a biscuit for a fancier breakfast that comes together fast. You’ll get the full on brunch experience without leaving your kitchen.
These are the foods I like the most. The ones that can become anything you tell them too.
You start with one simple thing, and for the next 3 days you’re eating something different every time.
5 Spice Pumpkin Chili
This is maybe the easiest thing I make. I brown some meat (or veggie crumbles) and add it to a crockpot with about 4 cans of ingredients and a handful of spices. 4 hours later, dinner's ready.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground meat of choice, or veggie crumbles
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 can Whole or crushed tomatoes large can
- 1 can Kidney beans low sodium
- 1 can Black beans low sodium
- 1 can Pumpkin puree
- 4 tbsp Onion powder
- 2 tbsp Cinnamon pumpkin pie spice blend works well too
- 1 tbsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tbsp Black pepper
- 1 pinch Cumin
- Salt to taste
Instructions
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Brown the ground meat in the olive oil over medium heat. Season with salt, pepper and cayenne to taste, along with 2 tbsp onion powder while meat is browning.
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Into the crockpot, pour the can of tomatoes and the pumpkin puree.
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Rinse both cans of beans until the water runs clear. Add both to the crockpot.
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Add the browned meat to the crockpot.
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Add all the spices and give the ingredients a good stir.
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Set the crock pot on high and leave for 4 hours. Stir once or twice, and add additional seasoning as needed.
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Serve and enjoy with shredded cheese, sour cream and/or a drizzle of honey.
Once this is done, I like to freeze half.
No matter what you do with this, you won’t be disappointed. Fast, easy and delicious never does.