Sneaky Chef Chili

This saucy chili recipe has up to 8 local ingredients including 6 "hidden" vegetables/fruits. It has a subtle sweetness from the apple and pumpkin which will make it a fast favorite.
Ingredients with an asterisk (*) are available seasonally right here in North Iowa! Click on select ingredients to find them nearby or stop by your local farmer's market.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
or use a slow cooker 4 hours
Total Time 5 hours 30 minutes
Course Chili, Lunch, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine American, Mexican, Spanish
Servings 6 people
Calories 370 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot
  • 1 Slow-Cooker optional
  • 1 Kitchen Knife
  • 1 Spoon
  • 1 Grater optional

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil or olive oil
  • 1 yellow onions* chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic* minced
  • 1 bell pepper* red, green, yellow or combo, diced
  • 1 apple* large, diced
  • 1 lb beef* or turkey or venison, ground
  • 1 15 oz black beans kidney beans or other bean of choice (no salt)
  • 2 cups pie pumpkin* home roasted/pureed pumpkin, butternut/kabocha squash or 1 - 16 oz can
  • 2 cups tomatoes* diced, home canned or roasted tomatoes or 1 -16 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp chili powder more to taste
  • 1 tbsp cumin and coriander optional
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper optional
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ - 1 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • ½ tsp paprika or smoked paprika
  • 2 jalapeños* or 4 oz can green chilies, optional
  • 1 cup sweet corn* optional

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot over medium high heat, add the oil to the pan.
  • Cook the onions, garlic and bell peppers for 5-7 minutes, until translucent.
  • Add the ground meat and cook until it crumbles and no pink remains.
  • Add the beans, pumpkin/squash puree, tomatoes, diced apples and spices.
  • Stir to combine.
  • Cover with a lid and simmer for 30 minutes, or slow cook for 2-5 hours.
  • Serve with grated cheese, avocado slices, fresh cilantro and or sour cream! (Optional)

Notes

*Also great in the slow cooker or the Instant Pot works awesome because you can sauté everything in the pot and then put it on to slow cook.

Nutrition

Calories: 370kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 22gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 468mgPotassium: 934mgFiber: 10gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 4951IUVitamin C: 48mgCalcium: 72mgIron: 5mg
Keyword apples, beef, bell pepper, butternut squash, garlic, jalapeno, kabocha squash, onion, pumpkin, tomatoes