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It’s fall, so there needs to be a lot of chili involved. Don’t cha think?
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Chili is one of my favorite things about fall. It’s just so dang comforting. A big pot of chili simmering all day on the stove is the best. Especially, if it’s a cold day. Nothing beats a hot bowl of chili on a cold day.
I mean, your house smells A-maaa-zing.
Every year at about this time, I make chili. I do it without thinking, it’s just a natural habit this time of year. Actually, we pretty much always have this chili on Halloween. It’s somehow become our own little Halloween tradition. Chili on Halloween.
I realize today is the day BEFORE Halloween, but it didn’t seem to make sense to show you guys a recipe I want you to make on the very same day. And yes, I really, really, really want you guys to make this for dinner tomorrow night. And if not tomorrow, because you have party plans and such, than Sunday for sure, because this is very much a Sunday recipe too!
SO.
I know that chili is already an easy dish, but this Crockpot Chipotle Pulled Pork Pumpkin Chili is even easier. Literally you throw everything into the slow cooker in the morning and then just let it cook, low and slow ALL DAY LONG. If you can, cook it the day before you plan to eat it. Then place it in the fridge overnight, get it back out the next morning and cook it again till dinner time. Honestly, the longer this chili sits, the better.
Like with most chili recipes, I always say three-day old chili is better than day old chili. Aging does this soup some good. Trust me on this.
Chili always brings back good memories for me. It’s really one of the only meals I remember my mom ever making, and she only made it on cold dreary days. Which was clearly perfect. Chili on a sunny, semi-warm day is just not what I want. Cold days put me in the mood for chili. You know?
AND mom always served her chili Cincinnati style. Not gonna lie you guys, I sort of think all chili should be served this way, and with a hefty side of beer bread too, because well, it just should.
When I serve this for dinner, I serve it over angel hair pasta. I really just do not know any other way to serve chili. It’s pasta, topped with saucy delicious chili and cheddar cheese. So flipping good. Do what you please, but I highly recommend serving this Cinci Style.
Also, if you like your chili full of texture, I would recommend browning the pork before adding it to the crockpot. This will add a little extra oomph to your chili.
Double also, I highly recommend using fresh cubed pumpkin in the chili. Sure, you can used the canned stuff in a pinch, but the cubes of pumpkin add some much needed texture and great flavor. I loved biting down into the sweet pumpkin. I am way too into the pumpkin right now…. as you will see tomorrow.
And about the pumpkin seeds.
Don’t get all freaked out because they are roasted in cinnamon sugar. The sweetness balances that spicy chipotle and the crunch just builds on the texture. You can’t skip the seeds you guys. One, you really do need them for the texture. They add a nice crunch and breakup the smoothness of the pork. Two, they are so delicious. It’s possible you may eat the whole pan before you serve the soup, in which case you obviously should make another batch. And you better double it while you’re at it.
Ok, so here is you game plan.
Start your chili today, let it sit overnight… heat it back up tomorrow!
Crockpot Chipotle Pulled Pork and Pumpkin Chili w/Roasted Pumpkin Seeds.
Ingredients
- 1 (2-3 pound) pork shoulder roast or butt
- 4 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 leaves bay
- 1 (12 ounce) beer, i used pumpkin beer
- 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons worcestershire
- 1 (28 ounce) can fired roasted crushed tomatoes
- 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
- 4 cups fresh pumpkin, diced (or 1 can pumpkin puree)*
- 1 (14 ounce) can black beans, rinsed + drained (optional)
- shredded sharp cheddar cheese, sour cream or greek yogurt and cilantro, for topping
Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Seeds
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup pumpkin seeds
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- Add the pork to the bowl of a crockpot. Drizzle the honey over the pork and then sprinkle with chili powder, chipotle chili powder, cinnamon, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add the bay leaves and then pour in the beer, cider vinegar, worcestershire, fire roasted tomatoes and tomato paste. Add the cubed pumpkin and stir to combine.
- Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours (I recommend going low and slow).
- Just before you are ready to shred the pork, make the pumpkin seeds. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a heavy-bottomed medium skillet, add the butter and melt over medium heat until just browned. Butter will melt, foam, and froth, and then begin to brown along the bottom. Whisk the browned bits off of the bottom of the pan. Remove from the heat and stir in the pumpkin seeds, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Toss well and then spread the mixture out onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Roast for 20-30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to make sure nothing is burning. Remove from the oven. Taste and season with salt if desired.
- Remove the pork from the crockpot and let cool slightly. Lightly shred the pork with two forks or your hands and return the meat to the crockpot. Add the black beans. Toss well, cover and warm through. If the chili base is too thin for you liking, add a cup or so of chicken broth until your desired consistency is reached.
- To serve, ladle the chili into bowls. Top with a dollop of greek yogurt and shredded cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the the pumpkin seeds over the chili. EAT!!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Best Halloween dinner ever. No really. All you need is a side of candy. Oh, and it’ll be Friday, so this is clearly all a win, win!
Hey what size can of pumpkin puree do I use? 2 / 15 ounce cans?
Hi Sarah,
You are going to use 4 cups of pumpkin puree. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Absolutely amazing recipe. I substituted jackfruit for the pork so the veggies in my household could eat it as well, and it worked amazingly. It was absolutely delicious. I enjoyed the leftovers for breakfast served over cornbread and topped with plenty of mature cheddar and a fried egg. Can’t rate it highly enough and was so easy to do. I can see it becoming a regular meal, especially with the abundance of pumpkin and squash I grew this year!
Hey Bron,
That’s fantastic to hear! Thanks for trying this dish and your comment, love that it was enjoyed! xT
Hi!! How much lack fruit did you use? And did you use canned?
This is one of the best things I’ve made in awhile and it’s now one of my favorite recipes! The spice level is not for the faint heart, but I LOVE spicy food so this was perfect. I accidentally halved the tomato paste and can’t say I noticed. I also swapped butternut for pumpkin! I cooked this in my instant pot and it took about 2 hours. This is going in my regular fall rotation for sure!
Thank you so much for trying out the recipe! Have an awesome weekend! xT
The chili itself was fine (I agree with another commenter that two cans of tomato paste was too much – I had a feeling it would be and next time I’ll go with my gut) but omg the pumpkin seeds were so good. I wish I’d made a bigger batch but I’ll absolutely be making them again!
Hi Sarah,
Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback! So glad you enjoyed the pumpkin seeds:) xx
What kind d of meat do you recommend if your don’t eat pork?
Hey Kris,
A beef chuck would also work well for you here! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Tried it tonight and it was amazing! Does any alcohol remain after cooking the beer in the slow cooker? I like the flavor but want to be able to serve to children if possible.
Hey Stephanie,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! The beer cooks out, but if you are worried you could always use an NA beer!? xT
Is there anything you can substitute for the beer?
Hi Tatiana,
You could use chicken broth or sparkling cider in place of the beer. Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xT
Please consider amending the 2 (6 ounce cans) of tomato paste. I normally love your recipes but this much tomato paste is absurd. It overtook every other flavor in the chili and was unpleasant. Might I suggest just more canned tomatoes instead? Thank you.
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for sharing your feedback:) My family enjoys the recipe as written but please adjust to your liking! Have a great day! xT
Just carved some pumpkins for Halloween tomorrow and was thinking of using the seeds for this recipe. Can we use fresh pumpkin seeds? Do they need to be dried or anything beforehand? Thanks!
Hi Dionne! I’m sure that would work just fine! xTieghan
Hey Tieghan,
Sounds delicious! Do you have the instructions for the instant pot? Thanks!
Hi there! I’m so sorry, I don’t! xTieghan
I’m going to make this for Halloween! 1/4 cup of chili powder? Is that correct? It seems like a lot!
Hi there! Yes it is, but you can decrease the chili powder if you’d like! xTieghan
What sized can of pumpkin purée if not using fresh pumpkin cubes?
Hey Melissa,
You will want to use one 15 ounce can of pumpkin puree. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Thank you
Question: do you recommend bone-in shoulder? My local grocery store only appears to have bone-in. If the recipe is meant to have boneless, do I adjust the time?
Hey Colin,
Bone in should would be fine to use, but I would for sure cook on low for at least 8 hours. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Too many spices and not enough flavor. Used canned pumpkin and can’t even tell it’s in there.
Hi Lexi! I am sorry about that. Is there anything I can help with? xTieghan
Hi! Could I use chicken instead of pork?
Hey,
Yes chicken would be great! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
What would be the cooking time for chicken? (Either breasts or thighs)