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Butternut Squash Chili is a hearty vegetarian chili that is packed full of nutrients and bold flavors! The addition of butternut squash adds a sweet, earthy flavor to the chili, giving this recipe the perfect balance between sweet and spicy and making it irresistibly good.
Just like my recipes for Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili and Instant Pot Lentil Chili, you won't miss the meat in this hearty Butternut Squash Chili. It is one of my all-time favorite chili recipes.
Why You Will Love Butternut Squash Chili
- Perfect Balance of Flavor. The sweetness from the butternut squash, the heat from the chipotle peppers and fire-roasted tomatoes, the creaminess from the white beans, and the tang from the beer all combine together to give this chili layered, nuanced flavor that will make you want to go back for seconds!
- Healthy Chili Recipe. Filled with fiber, nutrients, vitamins, and plant-based protein, you will feel good about
- Inexpensive & Satisfying Dinner Recipe. This recipe uses pantry staples, an award-winning blend of dried seasonings, and butternut squash to create a chili recipe that is flavorful and filling, yet easy on your wallet.
- Versatile Recipe. You can prepare this Butternut Squash Chili using the Instant Pot, slow cooker, or on the stove-top.
- Carnivore-Approved. While this Butternut Squash Chili recipe is a perfect dish for vegetarians and vegans to enjoy, even the meat-eaters love this recipe. Just ask my meat-loving husband and son!
Notes on Key Ingredients
- Butternut Squash: You will need 1 medium butternut squash or about 3 cups.
- Beans: I recommend using Great Northern beans for this chili recipe. They hold up well and add a nice creamy flavor that pairs well with the butternut squash.
- Diced Tomatoes: I love to use fire-roasted tomatoes for an extra kick of flavor, but regular diced tomatoes work.
- Chipotle Peppers: Canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are a secret to adding a layer of deep, rich, spicy undertones to this chili. You only need a small amount to add incredible flavor. (Freeze the rest in ice cube trays to pull out as needed to add flavor to soups and chili in the future.)
- Beer: Use a light lager beer, such as Corona or Coors. It will add an amazing dimension to this chili recipe. By all means, use vegetable broth stock in place of beer if you don't care to cook with alcohol.
- Chili Seasoning: My homemade blend of chili seasoning is better than any packaged blend out there, so be sure to use that for the best results.
- Broth: To keep this a vegetarian chili recipe, use low-sodium store-bought or homemade vegetable broth.
Substitutions/Modifications
- Speed Up the Prep-Work: Purchase cubed butternut squash in the produce section. Not only will it make this Butternut Squash Chili come together insanely fast, but it is often CHEAPER than purchasing a whole butternut squash.
- Gluten-Free Butternut Squash Chili: Use gluten-free beer or additional vegetable broth.
- Control the Spice: Omit or reduce the chipotle peppers for sensitive palates OR increase for spicer chili.
- Hate Diced Tomatoes? If you are serving this chili to picky eaters who despise the texture of diced tomatoes, use tomato sauce in its place.
- Using Frozen Butternut Squash: In place of fresh butternut squash, feel free to use frozen cubed butternut squash, not butternut squash puree. Add the frozen squash directly to the chili. The cooking time will need to be reduced since the squash is already cooked through. Reduce the cooking time to 5 minutes if using the instant pot, simmer for only 15-20 minutes on the stove, and cook for 2-3 hours on high in the slow cooker.
How to Make Butternut Squash Chili
Butternut Squash Chili can be prepared on the stovetop, in the slow cooker, or in the Instant Pot, making this recipe incredibly versatile. I have provided the full details for each method in the recipe card, but below give a quick summary of the methods so you can select the cooking method that works best for you and your day.
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Chili
Using the crockpot to prepare this butternut squash chili is the best option when you will be gone all day and want to come home to dinner waiting on you. It is as simple as dumping, stirring, and slow cooking. Easy-peasy!
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Chili
I love making butternut squash chili using the Instant Pot when I have limited time to whip up dinner AND I don't have the margin to babysit the chili as it simmers on the stove. Using the Instant Pot is a super simple, super fast, hands-off method for preparing Butternut Squash Chili.
Stove Top Directions
If you don't have an electric pressure cooker and still want to deliver a hearty, healthy chili recipe in less than an hour, turn to your stove and a large heavy-duty saucepan. This cooking method is still easy and yields a delicious butternut squash chili.
Serving Suggestions
Top Butternut Squash Chili with shredded cheese, crumbled feta, chips, cilantro, or jalapeno for added flavor and a contrast of texture. I also love pairing this chili recipe with homemade cornbread.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate: Allow the chili to cool, then transfer to an airtight container. Store leftover butternut squash chili for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- Freeze: You can also place the cooled chili into a freezer-safe container, being sure to leave 1 inch of space for expansion, and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: If needed, defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in a saucepan over low heat until warmed through or in individual servings in a heat-safe bowl for 30-second intervals until heated through. Keep in mind you may need to add a splash of broth or water to thin the chili out, as it will thicken when cooled.
More Recipes Featuring Butternut Squash
- Butternut Squash Salad
- Twice-baked Stuffed Butternut Squash
- Easy Butternut Squash Curry
- Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
- Roasted Butternut Squash
If you enjoyed this Butternut Squash Chili, please leave a comment and review below. I love hearing how much you enjoy my recipes!
Butternut Squash Chili
Ingredients
- 3 cups cubed butternut squash, ~ 1 medium squash
- 1 small yellow onion, finely minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (15-ounce) cans Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can fire-roasted tomatoes
- 1 chipotle pepper, from a can
- ½ cup light lager beer
- ½ cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon Chili Seasoning Mix
Instructions
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Place all ingredients in the slow cooker and give it a stir to combine. Cook on low heat for 7-8 hours or for 4-5 hours on low heat, or until the squash is tender.
Instant Pot Instructions
- Place the squash, diced onion, garlic, chili seasoning, chipotle pepper, broth, beer, and beans together in the inner pot. Pour the tomatoes on top and do not stir. Cook on HIGH pressure for 8 minutes. Hit manual/pressure cook and then adjust the cooking time using the +/- buttons for 8 minutes. Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes. Open, stir, and serve.
Stove Top Instructions
- Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a large stock pan over medium heat. Once heated, add the onions and saute for 3-4 minutes or until beginning to become translucent. Add in the garlic and toast for another minute or two.
- Add the cubed squash, broth, beer, tomatoes, white beans, chipotle pepper, and chili seasoning and stir to combine. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Once the chili has come to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the squash is tender, being sure to stir every few minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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!
You bet Sara! I hope you enjoy it--it is a perfect healthy dish for a cold busy day 🙂
I'm still earning how to cook with pumpkin, it is a relatively new vegetable to me but this sounds wonderful!
Oh Brain, I love pumpkin and butternut squash. I hope you learn to love it yourself 🙂
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!!
Thanks Melanie--I hope you enjoy it so much! So hearty and filling.
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!
Thanks Chris! I love traditional chili as well, but this is a nice change of pace.
This is beautiful! It just looks like the perfect bowl of comfort on a cold evening!
Thanks Annie, It is pretty comforting!
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!
It is usually the kids, isn't it? My dad and husband are my worst offenders 🙂
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!
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?!