Vegan Pumpkin Chili

Name: Vegan Pumpkin Chili
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: 1 large onion (white, yellow, etc.), chopped; 2 Tbsp chili powder; 1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice; 1 tsp. cumin powder; 2 1/2 cups low sodium veggie stock; 1 sweet potato, diced; (3) 15-ounce cans no salt added or low sodium fire-roasted tomatoes; (2) 15-ounce cans low-sodium or no salt added black beans – drained and rinsed; (1) 15-ounce can low-sodium or no salt added red kidney beans – drained and rinsed; (1) 15-ounce can of pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling); 1/4 cup maple syrup (optional); 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 green bell pepper, diced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; Salt to taste

Jump to Recipe

Delicious Vegan Pumpkin Chili packed with fiber, protein, and cozy Fall spices. It’s so easy to make and you only need 30 minutes. A hearty, healthy, and comforting meal perfect for those cool crisp evenings.

Vegan pumpkin chili in enamel cast iron dutch oven.

Pumpkin in my coffee? Nah, I’m good. Pumpkin in my chili? All-day, every day! Yes, it’s that time of year when pumpkin is haphazardly thrown into everything. And, as much as I love pumpkin-spiced things, I refuse to mess up a perfectly good cup of coffee. However, when it comes to a pot of chili that’s a completely different story.

I’m a Creative by nature and cooking has always been a great outlet of experimentation for me. I decided to take my Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili recipe, change a few things, and just “see what happens.” The end result? This delicious Fall-inspired vegan pumpkin chili. So, stop wasting Fall on some overpriced, chemically-spiced cup of java. Don’t sip your pumpkin, eat it – in a big bowl of chili!

Ingredients For Vegan Pumpkin Chili

In this recipe, we’ll toss together onion, chili powder, pumpkin pie spice, 2 types of beans, canned pumpkin, fire-roasted tomatoes, crunchy bell peppers, cocoa powder, and a bit of maple syrup to create this amazing, cozy, and hearty vegan pumpkin chili.

Onion: I put onion in everything.
Pumpkin Pie Spice, Chili Powder, & Cumin: Most recipes use cinnamon but I decided to use pumpkin pie spice. Go big or go home, right? The combination of spices works so well together. Feel free to adjust the amounts to your liking.
Vegetable Stock: I opt for low-sodium veggie stock.
Diced Tomatoes: I used no salt added Muir Glen Fire Roasted Tomatoes. I love the flavor. And, again, no salt.
Sweet Potato: A great source of fiber and other nutrients. It also adds a natural sweetness, a nice chunky texture, and it’s a great Fall vegetable.
Black Beans & Red Kidney Beans: Great sources of protein and fiber.
Maple Syrup: The sweetness works very well with the savory. It’s not a sweet chili, but the syrup is more of a flavor-enhancer than anything.
Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder adds a layer of flavor to the beans, tomatoes, and chili powder. It makes the chili taste richer and gives it more dimensions.
Bell Peppers: Red and green peppers offer a pop of color, more texture, and more nutrition.

Pot of pumpkin chili with wooden serving spoon.

How To Make Vegan Pumpkin Chili

Time needed: 40 minutes.

You basically put everything in the pot and cook. This vegetarian pumpkin chili is so easy to make and uses simple ingredients found in your pantry.

Sauté
Preheat a large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the onions for 2-3 minutes until they soften. Add the spices, a little veggie stock, and cook for about a minute or until aromatic.
Simmer
Add 2 cups veggie stock, the diced sweet potato, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 10 minutes. Then, add all the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes and occasionally stirring. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

That’s it! A delicious and hearty meal made with wholesome ingredients, cooked in 1 pot, and ready in as little as 30 minutes.

How To Serve Vegan Pumpkin Chili

I like topping this chili with my cashew sour cream, a slice of avocado, and a little chopped cilantro.

And, one thing I always have with my chili is some type of bread. My Vegan Cornbread, 5 Ingredient Whole Wheat Beer Bread, or No Yeast Bread was made for this vegetarian pumpkin chili. Try crumbling up the cornbread and burying it in a big bowl of this chili. Totally amazing!

Questions & Helpful Tips

Can I Freeze Vegan Pumpkin Chili?

Yes and absolutely! Chili recipes are made for freezing. I like to store it in individual freezer bags and freeze them flat so it takes up less space. When I’m ready to enjoy a comforting bowl of chili I let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat on the stove.

How To Store Vegan Pumpkin Chili?

Leftovers can be kept up to 7 days in the fridge in a covered container. This is a great recipe for meal prepping. When you’re ready to serve simply reheat on the stove in a medium to a large saucepan.

It’s Perfect For Gatherings.

This vegan pumpkin chili can easily be doubled or tripled. So, it’s great for bringing to potlucks or large gatherings.

Does It Taste Like Pumpkin?

Not really. It does have a “Fall essence” when it comes to the flavor, but the pumpkin’s primary role is to make the chili thicker.

Can I Make This In An Instant Pot?

YES! Simply add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot, lock the lid, and set the timer for 5 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes then release the remaining pressure manually. Enjoy!

This vegan pumpkin chili is extremely healthy. It’s loaded with protein, fiber and is low-fat. It’s also gluten-free, dairy-free, and oil-free!

Two bowls of pumpkin chili topped with cilantro.

More Vegan Soup & Stew Recipes

If you make this recipe I want to know. So, please leave a comment below with a star rating. And, be sure and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #shaneandsimple. I want to see your work. Enjoy!