Easy Slow Cooker Apple, Pumpkin, and Pork Chili (Healthy & Hearty!)
This easy slow cooker apple, pumpkin, and pork chili recipe is a delicious and cozy cool-weather meal. Packed with fall flavors, this simple prep crock pot dinner is perfect for easy weeknight autumn meals, fall-themed potlucks and gatherings, and casual dinner parties. Looking for an interesting, unique recipe for a chili cook-off? Give this one a try!
I’ve gone rogue with my chili-making habits again. I just can’t seem to leave well-enough alone. I went a little off-the-beaten-path with my pumpkin chili, but I’ve apparently taken things to a whole new level with this recipe by using pork sausage instead of beef or turkey, and by adding in some apples and (fellow Texans, close your ears)…more beans.
But, as traditional of a person as I am, I just can’t seem to follow rules, especially in the kitchen, and you know what? Sometimes that works out in our favor!
…or should I say, “flavor”…?
This easy slow cooker apple, pumpkin, and pork chili has a yummy blend of fall flavors, is super hearty, healthy, and so easy to throw together! Only about 15-20 minutes of prep work and your slow cooker does the rest of the heavy lifting!
Intrigued? You have to try this! You only need a few kitchen tools to get this thing cookin’!
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Here are the kitchen tools you need:
- A couple of sharp kitchen knives
- Cutting board
- Large skillet (I love my cast iron…that thing gets a lot of use in our house!)
- Spatula
- Slow cooker (do you already have one with a timer? Gosh, I love mine!)
The only prep work you have to do before you dump everything in the slow cooker is chopping some vegetables and then browning the meat with some of the vegetables. That’s it! About 20 minutes of prep work, including chopping time, and then you just dump everything else into the slow cooker.
This chili recipe is sweet and savory, and it’s very filling! Also, if you have the patience, I’d almost recommend you make this and then save it to have a day or two later. After I made this, we had leftovers for a couple of days (my favorite!), and on the 3rd day of eating this chili, holy moly, it was at its prime! I don’t know about you, but I am ALL about leftovers, especially leftovers that are even better than the day you make the original meal.
If you’re looking for a fun, unique chili recipe to try for a chili cook-off or cooking competition, give this one a try! I bet you won’t be competing against any other contestants who make the same kind of chili! 🙂
Go make this for a fall-themed potluck, chili competition, or just a cozy and easy weeknight meal with your family around the table and enjoy some time together!
Want to make sure and remember this recipe for later? Be sure and pin it to your favorite Pinterest board!
Easy Slow Cooker Apple, Pumpkin, and Pork Chili (Healthy & Hearty!)
Ingredients
- 1 lb light ground pork sausage
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic pressed or minced
- 3 stalks celery diced
- 6 c diced golden potatoes about 6 potatoes
- 1 large fuji apple cored and diced
- 1 15 oz can great northern beans drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz can butter beans drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Dash of red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 4 chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- Shredded or grated Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, begin browning the pork sausage.
- When sausage is about halfway cooked, add the diced onion and continue to cook until sausage is fully browned.
- Add garlic and celery, and continue to sautee for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove skillet from heat, and add meat and veggie mix to crock pot.
- Add all remaining ingredients to crock pot, lightly stir, cover, and cook on high for 6 hours or on low for 10 hours.
- Enjoy topped with shredded Parmesan cheese!