This Butternut Squash Turkey Chili will surprise your tastebuds with its fantastic flavor. It combines the savory flavors of turkey and spices with a hint of sweetness from the butternut squash. Best served with a slice of sweet cornbread!

Soup season is the best season. From hearty potato to spicy buffalo, soup is the best time of year. But Chili is a family classic all year round. There are so many different flavor combinations that make chili so unique and delicious. This Butternut Squash Turkey Chili hits the spot on all levels. The best part is it’s made in the slow cooker!

How to make it

Only two steps are required for this chili:

Brown the meat– in a medium skillet, brown the ground turkey and add diced onions halfway through the cooking.

Cook– combine all the ingredients in the slow cooker and cook away.

That’s it! Let it slow cook until those butternut squash pieces are nice and tender and the seasoning has melded together so beautifully. Oh I can just smell it now. Mmmmm!

*For more detailed instructions, see the recipe card below and print.

Ingredients

Ground turkey: I’ve made this with ground turkey and ground turkey sausage with wonderful results. I’m sure ground beef or pork sausage would taste good too.

Onion: red, yellow, white- your choice.

Butternut squash: I almost always take the easy route and buy the pre-cut butternut squash. It comes in our refrigerated section all ready to go. Squash is a little tricky to cut since it’s so hard. But it’s totally your choice if you’d rather save a few $ and cut it yourself.

Black beans: other beans could be substituted such as kidney, cannelloni, or navy beans if you prefer.

Crushed Tomatoes

Diced tomatoes

Green chilis: It adds a nice subtle spice without being “spicy” in my opinion. But if spice bothers you, feel free to omit this.

Chili powder

Cumin

Oregano

Paprika

Garlic: fresh garlic could be used instead of powder. I would add it to the ground turkey at the same time as the diced onion.

Salt

Ground pepper

Brown sugar

Chicken broth

Variations

Turkey– Any type of turkey could be used, even turkey sausage. You could substitute beef or pork also.

Seasonings– you really can tailor this to your preferences. Add more or less to your desire.

Chicken broth– If you change the meat to red meat, try switching the broth to beef broth. It might add a nice balance.

Stovetop– this dish could easily be made on the stovetop. All you would do is once the turkey is browned, add the rest of the ingredients to the pot and cook on medium while covered until the butternut squash is tender. It would take approximately 15-20 minutes.

Budget/time-saving ideas

I am always looking for ideas to save money or time. Here are a couple of ways this could help you if this recipe is out of budget or you are on a time crunch:

• Frozen ground turkey often seems to be a little cheaper than refrigerated.
• Use whatever fresh or dried herbs you have on hand.
• Meal prep- lasts up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezer-friendly– it lasts up to 6 months in the freezer! Just freeze it in an air-tight container.

Is this chili healthy?

What I love about this dish is how healthy it is! If you need to lower the calories, try using ground turkey breast. You can also use low-sodium chicken broth.

Topping ideas

This chili is fantastic with a variety of toppings, such as:

• crackers
• tortilla strips
• cornbread
• jalapeños
• green onions
• sour cream
• cheese
• cilantro

More delicious soup recipes

• Slow Cooker Fiesta Ranch Tortilla Soup– deliciously filled with chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and Fiesta Ranch seasoning.
• Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Soup– creamy and hearty soup filled with the savory flavors of a traditional pot pie but easily made in the crock pot.
• Crock Pot Creamy Buffalo Chicken Soup– has the perfect blend of spice and cream with hot sauce, bites of savory chicken, and sweet corn in a delicious soup.