Paleo Pumpkin Chili {Whole30 + Paleo}

Paleo Pumpkin Chili – This delicious family friendly paleo chili is made quickly in the Instant Pot, Crockpot or on the stove top. An aromatic blend of pumpkin, tomato and spices bring a delicious depth of flavor to this savory beanless chili. It’s paleo, Whole30 compliant, dairy free, keto and low-carb!

Originally published on October 6, 2019. Last updated on February 7, 2021.

Paleo Pumpkin Chili

I’m a big fan of chili. I mean BIG FAN! It’s just so hearty, comforting and meaty. This Paleo Pumpkin Chili is the perfect everyday paleo chili with incredible flavor from the combination of pumpkin and tomato. And it pairs wonderfully with my Gluten Free Cornbread Muffins too!

This post may include affiliate links, by making a purchase through a link I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Click here to read my policy.

Why Add Pumpkin To Chili?

The addition of pumpkin to this recipe elevates the chili in so many ways. The depth of flavor the pumpkin adds is outstanding! A few of my other favorite benefits of pumpkin in this recipe include:

• Natural thickener – the addition of pumpkin naturally thickens the sauce, producing that velvety sauce texture we all love in a good chili.
• Balances acidity – tomatoes carry a lot of acidity with them and instead of adding a sweetener to balance them out, pumpkin accomplishes that balancing act wonderfully.
• Adds nutrition – pumpkin packs in the nutrition; adding fiber, beta carotene and a whole host of vitamins but is particularly rich in Vitamin A.

Does This Chili Taste Like Pumpkin

This is probably the number one question I get about this Paleo Pumpkin Chili and I get it, but let me assure you this recipe is 100% savory and does not taste like pumpkin. I’ve gotten many messages from people who aren’t pumpkin fans who love this chili! As well as people like myself who are pumpkin fans, still can’t taste the pumpkin but LOVE the depth of flavor it provides this paleo chili.

Instant Pot No Bean Chili

If you haven’t yet tried pumpkin in a savory form – let me tell you, get excited! I’m all for pumpkin baked goods but pumpkin works to add so much flavor to recipes like this savory instant pot no bean chili! This recipe is deliciously paleo, whole30 compliant and keto-friendly. And even if you aren’t new to savory pumpkin recipes, this pumpkin chili recipe will still knock your socks, I mean, oven mitts off!

Ingredients To Make Paleo Pumpkin Chili

To make this Paleo Pumpkin Chili you’ll need:

• ground beef or ground venison
• avocado oil
• onion
• garlic
• canned fire roasted diced tomatoes
• pumpkin puree
• strained tomatoes
• chili powder
• ground cumin
• dried oregano
• unrefined sea salt
• ground cinnamon
• smoked paprika
• cayenne pepper
• black pepper
• ground nutmeg

How To Make Paleo Pumpkin Chili In The Instant Pot

Start with your instant pot on sauté mode and sauté the onion and garlic in avocado oil with a pinch of salt until softened. Then add and brown the ground meat, breaking up any large chunks. After the meat has browned add in all remaining ingredients (except garnishes) and lock your instant pot lid. Set the steam valve to sealing and select manual/high pressure for 10 minutes. Once done, manually quick release the pressure and serve with your desired garnishes. It’s that easy!

This recipe also makes a delicious Venison Chili in the Instant Pot. Simply use ground venison in this recipe for a wonderful venison chili!

How To Make Paleo Pumpkin Chili On The Stove Top

I have included the complete instructions for the stove top method in the recipe card below. Most of the steps are the same but you will simmer the chili for 1 to 3 hours.

How To Make Paleo Pumpkin Chili In The Crock Pot/Slow Cooker

For a pumpkin chili crockpot version of this recipe I’ve included the complete instruction in the recipe card below. You will sauté the onion and garlic in a skillet and then add the ground beef to brown before adding everything to the crock pot on low for 8 hours.

Is This Paleo Pumpkin Chili Keto & Low-Carb

Sure is! Yes, this Paleo Pumpkin Chili is also Keto Pumpkin Chili and low-carb, dairy free and also Whole30 compliant. For added fat while keeping it paleo and whole30, make sure to top with a dollop of coconut cream (this one doesn’t give a coconut flavor and you can scoop out only the cream) and chunks of avocado. If you’re not dairy free then top with sour cream, avocado and maybe some olives!

Recipe Substitutions:

• Ground Meat – In this recipe I use ground beef or ground venison but you can use any ground unseasoned meat of your choice.
• Beans – If you’re not doing paleo, whole30 or keto and want to add beans you can add two cans of your favorite beans after the cooking process and stir in until heated through.
• More Veggies – Add carrots, butternut squash cubes and/or bell peppers for more veggies.
• Strained Tomatoes – You can substitute 1 cup of bone broth in place of the strained tomatoes which will make it an even lower carb keto option and equally delicious!

How To Serve This Paleo Pumpkin Chili

I love eating this paleo pumpkin chili by the bowl-full topped with a dollop of coconut cream, avocado chunks and fresh cilantro. To keep this meal paleo and whole30 you could also serve this pumpkin chili over spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles! To add carbs you can serve this chili over rice, quinoa or pasta.

Does Paleo Pumpkin Chili Freeze Well

Yes! This chili freezes amazingly. If you can make a big enough batch that you have leftovers (we eat a batch up pretty quickly around here) I definitely recommend freezing it. To do so, fill a freezer-safe storage container like these mason jars with chili and leave 1 inch of head space at the top for expansion. Top the jar with a reusable lid and mark the lid with the recipe name and date made. Allow the jars and chili to cool in the refrigerator completely before transferring them to your freezer. Once ready to use, thaw out your jars by letting them sit overnight in the refrigerator then pour the chili into a sauce pot and reheat on the stove top over medium heat while stirring until warmed through.

I hope your family enjoys this recipe as much as mine does!

More Whole30 Instant Pot Recipes:

• Whole30 Instant Pot Taco Soup
• Whole30 Chicken Pot Pie Soup
• Whole30 Zuppa Toscana Soup
• Apple Cider Pulled Pork
• Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Pin this recipe for later!

Did you enjoy this recipe?

I’d love for you to give it a star rating ★ below and leave a comment.

Don’t want to miss a thing?
Sign up here to have recipes and cooking tips sent right to your inbox!

Paleo Pumpkin Chili

★★★★★ 5 from 14 reviews

• Author: Nicole
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 7 servings 1x
• Category: Lunch & Dinner
• Method: Instant Pot
• Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

Paleo Pumpkin Chili – This delicious family friendly meal is made quickly in the Instant Pot. An aromatic blend of pumpkin, tomato and spices bring a delicious depth of flavor to this savory beanless chili. It’s paleo, Whole30 compliant, dairy free, keto and low-carb!

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Paleo Pumpkin Chili:

• 1 Tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 lbs ground beef or ground venison
• 28 ounce can of diced fire roasted tomatoes with green chilies
• 14 ounce can of pumpkin puree
• 1 cup strained tomatoes (or 1 cup of bone broth)
• 1 Tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons unrefined sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Garnish:

• Coconut cream
• Avocado chunks
• Cilantro leaves
• Red onion
• Black olives

---

Instructions

Instant Pot Instructions:

1. Turn your Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat the avocado oil for one minute before adding the onion and garlic. Sauté with a pinch of salt until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
2. To the onion and garlic add the ground beef and brown while breaking up any large chunks.
3. Add all remaining chili ingredients to the Instant Pot (except garnishes) and stir to combine. Scrap the bottom of the pot to ensure nothing is stuck to the pot.
4. Lock the lid. Set the steamer valve to sealing and select manual/high pressure for 10 minutes.
5. Once done, quick release the pressure. Stir and serve with desired garnishes, enjoy!

STOVE TOP:

1. Heat a large stockpot over medium heat with avocado oil for several minutes until warm. To the heated stockpot add the onion and garlic and sauté with a pinch of salt until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
2. To the onion and garlic add the ground beef and brown while breaking up any large chunks.
3. Add all remaining chili ingredients to the stockpot (except garnishes) and stir to combine.
4. Top the pot with the lid and reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently over low heat for 1-3 hours.
5. Once done, remove the lid. Stir and serve with desired garnishes, enjoy!

Crockpot Instructions:

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat with avocado oil for several minutes until warm. To the heated skillet add the onion and garlic and sauté with a pinch of salt until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
2. To the onion and garlic add the ground beef and brown while breaking up any large chunks.
3. Transfer the onion, garlic and beef mixture to the crock pot.
4. Add all remaining chili ingredients to the crock pot (except garnishes) and stir to combine.
5. Add the lid and set the crock pot to low for 8 hours.
6. Once done, remove the lid. Stir and serve with desired garnishes, enjoy!

---

Keywords: paleo pumpkin chili, venison chili instant pot, whole30 chili recipe, beanless chili instant pot,

Recipe Card powered by