Halloween isn’t just about candy—it’s also about hearty, comforting dishes that keep you warm on a chilly October night. In 2025, pumpkin continues to reign supreme as the star of fall cuisine. One standout recipe making waves this October is Pumpkin Turkey Chili—a festive, savory dish that pairs Halloween vibes with real seasonal flavor.
This recipe draws on a long tradition of incorporating pumpkin into meals. While pumpkin pies and breads dominate dessert tables, pumpkin’s earthy sweetness and velvety texture also make it an excellent addition to savory stews and soups. In fact, Indigenous peoples in North America cooked with pumpkins for thousands of years before they became symbols of Halloween. Now, pumpkin chili is a way to merge modern fall comfort food with a nod to history.
Pumpkin Turkey Chili Recipe
Serves: 6
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
1 lb ground turkey (or beef, if preferred)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin purée (unsweetened)
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp cumin
½ tsp cinnamon (for warmth, optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings: shredded cheddar, sour cream, avocado, jalapeños, fresh cilantro
Instructions
Sauté the aromatics:
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and bell pepper.Cook the meat:
Add ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess fat.Season & build flavor:
Sprinkle in chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and cinnamon. Stir until the meat and veggies are coated and fragrant.Add the pumpkin & tomatoes:
Stir in pumpkin purée and crushed tomatoes. Mix well to combine.Add beans & broth:
Stir in both beans and the broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.Adjust & serve:
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and add your favorite toppings.
Why This Recipe Works for Halloween
Pumpkin-forward: The pumpkin doesn’t make it sweet—it lends body and earthiness.
Festive & nutritious: It’s high in fiber, protein, and vitamins A & C, making it both hearty and healthy.
Make-ahead friendly: Perfect for parties—keep it warm in a slow cooker while trick-or-treaters come and go.
Versatile: Works with ground chicken, beef, or vegetarian (skip the meat and add extra beans or lentils).
Halloween 2025 Twist
This year, several food bloggers and chefs are leaning into “orange-and-black” Halloween meals, pairing pumpkin with black beans for a festive look. Some families are even serving pumpkin chili inside small roasted pumpkins for a spooky, edible bowl. The dish is trending on TikTok as part of #HalloweenFood2025, with creative toppings like “ghost” sour cream swirls and tortilla chip gravestones.
Final Thoughts
Pumpkin Turkey Chili is more than just a meal—it’s a way to celebrate Halloween with substance, not just sweets. Whether you’re hosting a costume party, feeding kids after trick-or-treating, or just craving something warming, this chili embodies the season’s spirit.
So this October 31, while candy bowls get emptied, let a steaming pot of pumpkin chili remind everyone that Halloween is as much about comfort as it is about scares.
