Okay, pumpkin spice everything had its moment — but the real fall MVP just walked in wearing a chili pepper costume. Pumpkin chili is blowing up on TikTok right now, and once you taste what a can of pumpkin puree does to a pot of chili (hint: it makes it silkier, cozier, and secretly a little healthier), you’ll understand the hype. The best part for us grocery-deal people? Every single ingredient is a quick trip away at Aldi, Costco, or Trader Joe’s, and you’re looking at a full pot of dinner for well under $15.
Wait, Pumpkin… in Chili?
Stay with us. You won’t taste “pumpkin pie” — you’ll taste a chili that’s thicker, richer, and just slightly sweet in the way fire-roasted tomatoes or a spoonful of tomato paste already gets you. The canned pumpkin puree mostly disappears into the sauce, working as a natural thickener while sneaking in extra fiber and vitamin A. It’s the same trick behind a lot of those smart fall produce swaps we’re always chasing — using what’s actually in season (and cheap) to upgrade a recipe you already know and love.
“It’s so cozy, flavorful and easy to make” — basically every home cook who’s tried the canned-pumpkin chili trend this fall.
Your One-Trip Grocery List
Here’s exactly what to grab and where it’s cheapest:
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey — Costco’s Kirkland Signature packs are the best per-pound deal if you’re stocking the freezer too.
- 1 can (15 oz) pure pumpkin puree — Aldi’s Simply Nature canned pumpkin is a couple bucks and just as good as the name brand.
- 1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, 2 cans beans (kidney and black), tomato paste — Aldi’s pantry aisle or Trader Joe’s canned goods section will cover all of it for a few dollars total.
- 1 onion, 1 green pepper, garlic — check the Trader Joe’s pre-chopped mirepoix or onion-pepper blend if you want to skip the knife work entirely.
- Chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder — Aldi’s Stonemill spice line is one of our favorite store-brand swaps that beat the name brand, and it’s a fraction of the price.
- Low-sodium broth — grab whatever’s on sale; Costco’s Kirkland broth boxes work great here.
If your Trader Joe’s is already stocked with its new fall finds, swing by while you’re there — a few of this season’s new arrivals make sneaky-good chili add-ins, especially anything with a little smoke or heat.
How to Make It (One Pot, About 45 Minutes)
- Heat a couple tablespoons of oil in a large pot. Sauté the diced onion and green pepper for 5-7 minutes until soft, then add the garlic for another minute.
- Add the ground beef (or turkey) and cook, breaking it up, until browned.
- Stir in the pumpkin puree, tomato paste, and all your spices. Cook for 2-3 minutes — this step is where the flavor really deepens, so don’t rush it.
- Add the diced tomatoes, both cans of beans (drained and rinsed), and the broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and let it go for 25 minutes.
- Uncover and simmer another 20-25 minutes until it’s thick and scoopable, not soupy. Taste and adjust the salt and spice.
Toppings & Make-Ahead Tips
Pile it high with shredded cheddar, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, and sliced green onion — or go full Costco food-court mode and crumble some cornbread on top. This is also a fantastic freezer meal: it keeps up to 6 months frozen, which makes it a genuinely great candidate for your next Sunday batch-cooking session. Double the recipe, portion it into containers, and you’ve basically bought yourself two weeks of “what’s for dinner” answers.
Made it? We want to know if you went the beef or turkey route (and whether you’re brave enough for extra cayenne). Tag us or drop a comment — and while you’re stocking up for chili night, check out the rest of our fall recipe roundups for more ways to turn your Aldi, Costco, and Trader Joe’s hauls into real dinners.
Photo credits: hero image via Feel Good Foodie; second image via Unsplash.
