Chili with Butternut Squash

November 2, 2021 By Whip & Wander 51 Comments

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A classic stick-to-your-bones, warm your soul kind of meal

Cold days and a simmering pot of chili go together so well. It’s a classic stick-to-your-bones, warm your soul kind of meal. This Chili with Butternut Squash combines classically spiced meaty chili with jalapenos, bell pepper, green onions, and sweet and hearty butternut squash for a smoky and lightly sweet dish to warm up with all fall and winter long. This one-pot chili recipe can be on your table in as little as 30-minutes and pairs deliciously with a sprinkle of cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and a side of cornbread!

Does this chili have beans?

While this Chili with Butternut Squash contains plenty of meat, it has no beans. Instead, I’ve swapped them for butternut squash, which gives the dish a creamy, nutty sweetness that perfectly balances the spice and acidity from the fragrant chili peppers and umami-rich tomatoes. I feel confident that you won’t even miss the beans!

However, If you are adamant that your chili needs beans, go ahead and toss them in! Chili is flexible like that. Black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, or great northern beans would all make great choices and rinsed canned beans will work best for the cooking time on this chili; just add them in along with the butternut squash!

What kind of meat should I use in this chili?

Ground beef, ground chicken, and/or ground turkey all work wonderfully in this recipe. Sometimes I’ll even make it with a 50/50 split of ground beef combined with a leaner ground chicken or turkey. If you prefer to use non-ground meat, this recipe is also tasty (and super quick) with leftover brisket, shredded pork shoulder, shredded chicken, or shredded turkey (Hello, Thanksgiving leftovers!).

What should I serve this chili with?

Topping ideas for your chili bowl

Shredded cheese
Sliced green onions
Diced red onions
Diced avocado
Pickled jalapeno slices
Chopped cilantro
Sour cream
Hot sauce
Fritos or crushed tortilla chips

To serve on the side of your chili bowl

I love to serve this chili with a side of Brown Butter Buttermilk Skillet Cornbread.

Freezing and Storage

This Chili with Butternut Squash freezes beautifully for up to three months in airtight freezer-safe containers. To reheat, simply allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight then reheat on the stove or in the microwave. It also works really well for meal prep during the week, keeping for up to 4 days when stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator (these are my favorite storage containers).

What tools do I need to make this recipe?

A large soup pot or Dutch oven
A cutting board
A chef’s knife
A kitchen scale — OR — measuring cups (for less precise measurements)
Measuring spoons
A wooden spatula or spoon
A ladle

Are you looking to upgrade to your cooking tools or replenish your pantry? Check out my kitchen tools shop page and pantry staples shop page to find my must-have kitchen tools, pantry items, and other Whip & Wander favorites.

Looking for more cold-weather dinner inspiration?

Love this chili recipe? Here are some more of my favorite cold-weather dinner recipes: