Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Chili

A delicious lean beef chili recipe made with a blend of beans and butternut squash

Course Main Course, Soup

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 4

Total Time 4 10

Servings

Calories 354kcal

Author Amee

2 lbs lean ground beef 92%
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 lbs diced butternut squash fresh, not frozen (I love to buy this already peeled and chopped when available)
20 oz frozen vegetable seasoning blend (diced onion, celery, pepper, and parsley blend) 2 (10 oz) packages *see notes
28 oz can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes -do not drain
15 oz can tomato sauce
15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
15 oz can red kidney beans drained and rinsed
15 oz can low-sodium northern beans drained and rinsed
15 oz can low-sodium cannellini beans drained and rinsed
3 tbsp chili powder
4 tsp cumin
4 garlic cloves minced
salt and pepper to taste (I use a tsp of salt and ½ tsp pepper)
*optional garnishes: shredded sharp cheddar cheese and chopped cilantro

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tbsp olive oil.
Add beef, frozen vegetable blend and garlic to the pan.
Cook until the beef is cooked through and no longer pink (about 10 minutes), drain off the liquid in the pan, then pour the mixture into the slow cooker.
Add all other ingredients and stir well to combine. The mixture will be thick.
Cook 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low, until butternut squash is tender. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

Serving size: This recipe is calculated for 12 servings. For 10 larger servings, the macros are: 424 calories, 35g protein, 59g carbs, 8g fat, and 19g fiber.
Prepping the squash - Cutting butternut squash isn't exactly simple, so I usually grab them pre-chopped from the store. However, if you want to take on the challenge, make sure you have a very sharp knife and check out this resource on cutting and peeling butternut squash.
Ingredient tips - I use the Publix brand frozen vegetable seasoning blend. Pictsweet Farms and Great Value (Walmart brand) also make this particular vegetable blend. I get the 28-oz can of Muir Glen Organic crushed fire-roasted tomatoes from Publix, as well. Dei Fratelli and Take Root Organics also make the 28-oz can of crushed fire-roasted tomatoes if you cannot find the Muir Glen at a store near you.
I highly recommend topping this bowl with shredded cheddar cheese! *not included in nutrition info