Butternut Squash Chili makes a delicious meatless chili. This hearty, slow-cooker, vegetarian chili is made with butternut squash, white beans, beer and just the right amount of heat. This Vegan Chili is spicy, tangy, creamy, filling and warming to the soul!
When I told my husband we were having butternut squash chili for dinner, he told me he was going to order pizza.
He is more of a Classic Chili made with beans and ground beef kind of guy.
I get that, but I am happy to report, he did NOT order pizza and he actually enjoyed this meatless chili.
Butternut Squash Chili
Tender chunks of butternut squash and white beans are immersed in a rich, thick, and spicy tomato broth, making this meatless chili both hearty and full of bold flavors.
Butternut squash adds a bit of sweetness that pairs perfectly to the contrast of the heat from the chipotle peppers and chili seasoning. This chili is full of so much more flavor and depth than one would think to have in a vegetarian chili. It is really quite tasty.
Ingredients in Butternut Squash Chili
- Butternut Squash
- 1 medium squash, peeled and diced into 1 inch chunks.
- This is about 3 cups of squash.
- White Beans
- Any beans work in this chili, but I find the white beans are mild enough to not overtake the butternut squash’s flavors.
- Diced Tomatoes
- I love to use fire-roasted tomatoes for an extra kick of flavor, but regular diced tomatoes work.
- If you do not like the texture of diced tomatoes, use tomato sauce in it’s place.
- Beer
- Beer adds amazing dimension to chili, but by all means use vegetable or chicken stock in place of beer.
- If gluten -free, use stock!
- Chipotle Peppers
- Optional, but chipotle peppers add depth of flavor and heat to this chili.
- Chili Seasoning
- Garlic
- Onions
How to Make Butternut Squash Chili
This is about the easiest chili recipe ever. There is no browning of meat, no sauteing of peppers and onions. Everything is dumped into the crock-pot and allowed to simmer. How is that for EASY?!!
- Place all ingredients in large slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
- Serve with tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, lime juice, cilantro, or fresh pico.
More Chili Recipes
- Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
- Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili
- Vegetarian Chili
- Chicken Chili
- Instant Pot Chili
Butternut Squash Chili Recipe
Vegetarian Butternut Squash Chili
A hearty vegetarian chili made with butternut squash and beans.
Ingredients
- 1 medium butternut squash peeled and diced into 1 inch chunks
- 1 onion finely minced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups white beans or 2 (16 ounce) cans rinsed and drained
- 16 ounces can fire-roasted tomatoes
- 1 chipotle pepper from a can
- 8 ounces bottle dark amber beer or vegetable stock
- 1 tablespoon Chili Seasoning Mix
Instructions
-
Place all ingredients in slow cooker and set to low for 6-7 hours or high for 4-5 hours (or until squash is tender.)
-
Serve with sour cream, cheese, chips, limes, avocados, etc
Recipe Notes
Be sure to use stock in place of beer if you need this Butternut Squash Chili to be gluten-free.
David @ CookingChat says
Yum! I haven’t tried butternut in chili but like the sound of your recipe…beer and all!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks David! It is really quite surpirising how well squash works in chili!
Joanie @ Zagleft says
Butternut Squash Chili made with beer sounds like a grat idea. I bet the flavors all came together beautifully.
Kristen Chidsey says
The beer really adds a unique depth to the chili.
Jenn says
We have so much winter squash from our garden this year, this is a great addition to the recipes I am collecting to use it all up! 🙂
Kristen Chidsey says
Well if you need to send some my way, I will accept all donations! Love any kind of squash and I have a black thumb!
MyCookingSecrets.com | Krystallia Giamouridou says
It is time to take full advantage of those 3 butternut squashes I bought this morning! We usually cook the squash without adding any legumes, but going to give it a try. Thank you for sharing.
Kristen Chidsey says
Perect timing for this recipe. I would highly suggest adding the beans, it helps to complete the squash’ protein profile and fill you up better!
Stacey says
I love butternut squash, and this chili looks perfect for Fall comfort food!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Stacey, It is perfect comfort for me!
Angela Barnard says
Cannot wait to try this one! Perfect comfort food. Sounds yummy!
Charlene @ That Girl Cooks Healthy says
This looks like typical comfort food. I could certainly do with a bowl with this terrible cold that I have right now.
Kristen Chidsey says
Great and healthy comfort food!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thansk Angela. I hope you love it!
Howie Fox says
Hahaha, it can be difficult to cook for Dads sometimes 😉
My brother and sister (while in their chef’s apprenticeship) had a tough time with trying new dishes. This looks awesome though, I’d love to try your butternut squash chili!
Kristen Chidsey says
Howie, I hope you try it and love it! There is always someone (be it Dad or Brother or Child) that is a difficult eater in the family, isn’t there?!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Haha – my daughter does the same thing sometimes – if she doesn’t like the look of it, I have a hard time convincing her to eat it! Though sometimes, the smell does the convincing more than I do and she is digging into it – I bet this would be one of those recipes – it sounds so incredibly flavorful!
Kristen Chidsey says
It is usually the kids, isn’t it? My dad and husband are my worst offenders 🙂
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
This is beautiful! It just looks like the perfect bowl of comfort on a cold evening!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Annie, It is pretty comforting!
Chris @ SimpleFood365 says
We are big fans of squash in our home and while I really like a traditional chili, this is such a great alternative! It looks and sounds amazing!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Chris! I love traditional chili as well, but this is a nice change of pace.
Melanie says
I just love a hearty butternut squash soup in the fall….and this one has such a nice spin on it with the white beans…pinning for later!!
Kristen Chidsey says
Thanks Melanie–I hope you enjoy it so much! So hearty and filling.
Brian Jones says
I’m still earning how to cook with pumpkin, it is a relatively new vegetable to me but this sounds wonderful!
Kristen Chidsey says
Oh Brain, I love pumpkin and butternut squash. I hope you learn to love it yourself 🙂
Sara @ Life's Little Sweets says
This looks SO good, I am pinning for later to make, it’s so nice that it’s a slow cooker recipe, great for a weekday meal! Looks very healthy too, thank you for sharing this!
Kristen Chidsey says
You bet Sara! I hope you enjoy it–it is a perfect healthy dish for a cold busy day 🙂
Angela Barnard says
Made this for dinner last night and it was amazing. Delicious! I will definitely be making it again.
Leslie says
I’ve wanted to try this but I’m afriad I won’t like it and then the illusion is shattered haha. This looks so good though!
Kristen Chidsey says
Haha. Leslie, my husband turned his nose up on it, but due to the heat and beer–he loved it and he is not a squash person at all.