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Cozy Crockpot Beef and Butternut Squash Chili

Crockpot Beef and Butternut Squash Chili - featured image
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A hearty, one-pot winter chili that uses roasted butternut squash to create a naturally creamy, thick broth without dairy. This slow-cooker meal balances savory beef with earthy sweetness for a comforting, wholesome dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs lean ground beef (80/20 or 90/10)
  • 2 cups butternut squash, diced into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce (low-sodium)
  • 2 cups beef broth (low-sodium)
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep the vegetables: Peel and dice the butternut squash, onion, and bell pepper. Mince the garlic.
  2. Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the ground beef, breaking it up, until no longer pink. Drain excess grease if desired.
  3. Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, cook the onion and bell pepper for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic in the last 30 seconds.
  4. Combine in slow cooker: Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the diced squash, tomato sauce, beef broth, and black beans.
  5. Add spices: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne over the mixture. Stir to distribute evenly.
  6. Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours (or HIGH for 3-4 hours).
  7. Finish: Stir in apple cider vinegar. Taste and season with salt and black pepper. If desired, mash some squash against the pot to thicken the chili.
  8. Serve: Let sit for 10 minutes before serving. Top with cheese, sour cream, cilantro, or avocado.

Notes

For a thicker chili, mash some of the squash against the side of the pot. If the chili is too thin, cook uncovered for the last hour. If too thick, add a splash of broth. The flavors improve after sitting for a day. Can be made in an Instant Pot by sautéing beef/veggies then pressure cooking on High for 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: chili, slow cooker, crockpot, beef, butternut squash, winter recipe, comfort food, gluten-free, one-pot meal

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/cozy-crockpot-beef-and-butternut-squash-chili-easy-1-pot-winter-meal/