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Slow Cooker Butternut Squash and Apple Chili

in Other, Soups

butternut squash chili 5

Fall is officially here.  The weather in the Midwest the past week has been chilly and rainy with highs only into the upper 50’s and lower 60’s.  You know what this means…Winter is right around the corner.  As much as I don’t want to say that, it is the truth people!!  But we don’t have to hate everything about Winter.  Instead, we can be excited for the first snowfall (only because it looks pretty from inside our warm offices and homes), the holidays, family time, and amazing comfort foods and soups.  I don’t know about you, but when I think of Fall and Winter I always think of chili.

I love a delicious traditional vegetarian chili.  You know the drill- beans, onions, peppers, tomatoes, chili seasoning… it’s all good.  But sometimes I like to mix things up a bit.  I love adding soyrizo to my chili to make it spicy, and I love adding in tons of seasonal vegetables to bulk it up.  One of my current favorite vegetables this year has been squash, specifically butternut squash.  The sweetness of this vegetable is super tasty.  I am also completely hooked on one of my favorite fruits: apples.  Apples have been so perfectly sweet lately and you can’t beat the prices now that they are in season.  So when I decided that I wanted to cook up my first batch of chili for the season, I knew that I wanted it to be a bit different…a bit sweeter, perhaps.  Enter: butternut squash and apples!

butternut squash chili 3

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash and Apple Chili

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients

1 yellow onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced (I used half of a red and half of a yellow)
4 cups butternut squash, cubed (you can find pre-cut at Trader Joe’s and Walmart)
1 zucchini, diced
2 apples, peeled and chopped (I used Jonathan)
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
1 15 oz can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 15 oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 packet chili seasoning (look for low sodium and the fewest ingredients, or make your own)
16 oz tomato juice
1 cup vegetable broth
1/4 tsp cinnamon
black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker.

2. Stir the ingredients until they are well-combined.

3. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until all ingredients are cooked through.

4. Fill up a big bowl with the chili.

butternut squash soup

5. Go back for seconds ;).

butternut squash chili 4

Ahh, the colors of Fall.  They make me so happy…and hungry!

butternut squash chili 2

Let’s face it.  Chili is good.  And if you don’t think so…well, you sure are missing out!  I love traditional chili, I love spicy chili, and now I love sweet and spicy chili.  Slow Cooker Butternut Squash and Apple Chili  is flavorful, comforting, and oh so cozy.  If cooler Fall and Winter weather means that I get to eat food that is this good, then maybe I won’t complain as much…maybe ;).

butternut squash chili

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{ 47 comments… add one }
  • Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl October 21, 2013, 9:21 am
    Oh my goodness this looks so delicious! Your pictures look fabulous and I love that you used the crockpot. It's been pinned and will be made VERY soon!
  • Hard to @theblondehairblueeyedrunner October 21, 2013, 9:53 am
    Perfection! Seriously this sounds like the perfect fall soup!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 21, 2013, 1:54 pm
      Thanks so much! It does kind of scream "Fall," doesn't it? ;)
  • Emily @ More Than Just Dessert October 21, 2013, 10:09 am
    Yummmm! I just bought some squash and now I'm thinking it needs to go in this chili :) Emily @ More Than Just Dessert recently posted...Carrot Apple Smoothie + Ninja Ultima Blender ReviewMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 21, 2013, 1:55 pm
      Good idea!! :) Let me know if you try it out!
  • Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog October 21, 2013, 10:26 am
    Oh this sounds so good! And you are right, all this chilly weather is making me want chili so bad. I'm always on the lookout for new recipes and ingredients to incorporate. Your post also made me think about adding chorizo (soyrizo) to chili - what a good idea! Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog recently posted...Easy Greek PastaMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 21, 2013, 1:57 pm
      Adding soyrizo or chorizo is awesome because it makes the chilly a bit spicy! I love it!
  • Amanda @ .running with spoons. October 21, 2013, 10:51 am
    Thank you for giving me yet another reason to invest in a slow cooker AND a way to use up the frozen butternut cubes that aren't good for roasting :? I love the idea of pairing butternut with apples -- two fall favourites for sure!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 21, 2013, 1:57 pm
      You don't have a slow cooker?? Um, you NEED to buy one! You would love making applesauce in it too!!
  • Kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies October 21, 2013, 11:30 am
    It's supposed to snow TOMORROW in Michigan. Seriously not fair to get half an afternoon of fall before being thrown into winter :( I'm excited for a slow cooker recipe! I've been making my breakfasts overnight in mine, but it'd be a ridiculously day if I just wiped it out and threw this chili in before I left for work
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 21, 2013, 1:59 pm
      Aren't slow cookers the absolute best?? I seriously love them! And snow ALREADY?? That is just wrong!
  • Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes October 21, 2013, 11:45 am
    It's getting so cold here and I need this chili in my life!!! I love when the directions say "throw everything in the slow cooker and cook". So low maintainence! Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes recently posted...Chicken Avocado Spring Rolls + a GIVEAWAY!My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 21, 2013, 2:00 pm
      I love it, too, especially because it makes writing up the recipe post SO easy! ;)
  • Ashley October 21, 2013, 12:51 pm
    Yay! I was so excited for this recipe! I adore chili this time of year and can't wait to try this one! I really like that it's in the crockpot too! Ashley recently posted...Easy Witches’ Finger BreadsticksMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 21, 2013, 2:01 pm
      Crockpot soup recipes are the best!! Please let me know if you try it out!
  • Jackie October 21, 2013, 1:49 pm
    I love anything in the crockpot. This looks awesome! Jackie recently posted...Scenes from my weekendMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 21, 2013, 2:02 pm
      Thank you!! Let me know if you give it a try!
  • Alexis @ Hummusapien October 21, 2013, 1:54 pm
    Mmmmm apple, zucchini and squash OH MY!! Trader Joe's pre-cut squash is my BFF. It seriously took forever to chop one up this weekend! I have to share this recipe with you because you would adore it....I made it yesterday and it's already half gone. It's SO good and SO easy: http://www.eatliverun.com/curried-butternut-and-red-lentil-soup/ Alexis @ Hummusapien recently posted...Vegetable, Chickpea & Quinoa Soup + Giveaway WinnerMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 21, 2013, 2:03 pm
      You are right. That soup totally sounds like me! ;) I'll have to try it out!
  • Leslee @ Her Happy Balance October 21, 2013, 2:28 pm
    The Philly weather has been about the same, it is brisk outside, especially in the mornings...and I LOVE it. Your chili sounds awesome, never would have thought to include apples. I may have to adapt your recipe for a carnivore version :) Leslee @ Her Happy Balance recently posted...Chia Seed as a Healthy Baking Alternative and Monthly {Giveaway}My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 21, 2013, 4:58 pm
      Please let me know if you do! Trust me, the added apple flavor is delicious!
  • Meghan @ fitnesscrEATures October 21, 2013, 3:16 pm
    YES to this! I really need to give butternut squash another chance. The one time I had it, it was hard and just not amazing - but I bet it'd be good in soup! Meghan @ fitnesscrEATures recently posted...Don’t Ever Do That To Me Again.My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 21, 2013, 4:59 pm
      Oh, you definitely need to try it again then! It is REALLY good, especially in soup!
  • Tara October 21, 2013, 5:26 pm
    I think I would love winter if there was snow but all we get is rain! I only got to enjoy the snow a few times in my life when we go up to Lake Tahoe for a mini vacation. I will need to try a sweet chili, I have only tried the hearty kind. Cheers! Tara recently posted...Taglia Il PaneMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 21, 2013, 8:33 pm
      That must be a bummer to not have ANY snow. I certainly don't love it, but it is nice around the holidays!
  • Nicole @ FruitnFitness October 21, 2013, 5:59 pm
    Oh this sounds good! I love all types of soups and chili. I love adding veggies to chili and often add pumpkin purée but I have never tried adding other kinds of squash. I need to do that! Nicole @ FruitnFitness recently posted...MIMM- fall walks, berries and foodMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 21, 2013, 8:34 pm
      I need to add pumpkin to mine! I've seen a few recipes for it and they all sound SO good!
  • Casey @ Salted Plates October 21, 2013, 9:32 pm
    love the idea of squash and apple in chili, so creative! Casey @ Salted Plates recently posted...Vegetarian StockMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 22, 2013, 4:12 pm
      It was a tasty combination...let me know if you try it out!
  • Jan @ Sprouts n Squats October 22, 2013, 4:17 am
    Love how delicious and warming this looks! Even though it is spring here it has been cold wet and raining perfect weather for chilli like this :) Jan @ Sprouts n Squats recently posted...Trial Tuesdays – The one with the OMG PancakesMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 22, 2013, 4:13 pm
      I am guilty of making chili in 80 degree weather..oops! ;)
  • Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ October 22, 2013, 4:30 am
    Original combination! I'm very curious about it, must try it!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 22, 2013, 4:13 pm
      Please let me know if you do! It is a unique combo, but a good one!
  • Alex @ Cookie Dough Katzen October 22, 2013, 8:54 am
    Love the pictures- so colorful and hearty!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 22, 2013, 4:15 pm
      Thank you!! I am not the greatest at taking soup pictures, but I was pretty happy with how these ones turned out :).
  • Alisha @ Alisha's Appetite October 22, 2013, 10:35 am
    Girlfriend I was wondering where you've been! You haven't been coming up in my bloglovin' feed!! I double checked and the last post to come up was on October 11- I will unfollow and refollow to see if that fixes it Alisha @ Alisha's Appetite recently posted...Sore Thumb Yellow (Weekend Recap)My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 22, 2013, 4:16 pm
      Hmm...thanks for letting me know. I just switched to self-hosted so I am guessing that is why. I will have to look into that!
  • Amanda - RunToTheFinish October 22, 2013, 10:53 am
    YEAHH For slow cooker ideas! I am determined to use mine a lot more this year and I'm always trying to squeeze the most veggies in to any meal. Amanda - RunToTheFinish recently posted...Holiday Challenge 6th Edition Registration Open!My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 22, 2013, 4:16 pm
      I love my slow cooker, but I definitely need to use it more often. I hope to use it a lot this Winter, too! And yes, the more veggies the better!
  • Cailee @ http://hellohealthyeating.com October 22, 2013, 1:57 pm
    This looks really tasty!! Perfect for this time of year :) Cailee @ http://hellohealthyeating.com recently posted...Eating Style- Snacks!My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 22, 2013, 4:17 pm
      Thanks so much! It definitely screams Fall/Winter, doesn't it??
  • Elyse @ Lizzie Fit October 23, 2013, 1:13 pm
    Wow how did I miss this?! I love squash and apple together <3 Looks delicious :) Elyse @ Lizzie Fit recently posted...Vegging Out at Conventional RestaurantsMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 23, 2013, 3:28 pm
      Thanks!! It is tasty and SO easy to make! Let me know if you try it out!
  • meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles October 23, 2013, 3:41 pm
    I would love this. I love roasting apples and butternut squash together. meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles recently posted...Ice Packs, Pineapple and StretchingMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl October 23, 2013, 9:03 pm
      They make for such a great combo, don't they??
  • Danica @ It's Progression October 26, 2013, 7:50 am
    This looks so good - I love that apple is an ingredient! I actually just made a butternut squash and bean chili this past week and plan to share the recipe next week :) chili is so perfect for this time of year, especially when it's made in the slow-cooker! Danica @ It's Progression recently posted...computer problems…My Profile

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