Butternut Squash Chili (Vegetarian Chili Recipe) + VIDEO - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

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Three SistersButternut Squash Chili Recipe:A Native American recipe withsquash,corn, andbeans. This Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili Recipe is rich and inviting!

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Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Nothing screams fall like a hearty bowl of chili.

The blend of chiles, spices, meat, and vegetables is a family favorite, we love to make the moment the weather turns cool.

Although we lovemeatychilis, I’ve discovered makingvegetarian chilifor groups is the way to go. Our vegetarian and vegan friends are happy, and the meat-eaters won’t even miss the meat in the veggie chili, if it’s well made.

Today’s amazing Vegetarian Chili Recipe is bold and rustic with chunks of butternut squash, peppers, beans, and corn. It can be made on the stovetop or in a slow cooker!

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Three Sisters Chili Recipe

“The Three Sisters” in the title is derived from an old tale about Mexican and Navajo gardening culture… Corn, beans, and squash grow best when planted together.

The corn stalks offer support for the other crops. The beans pull in nitrogen from the air to benefit the soil. And the big squash leaves protect the soil to keep it moist and prevent weeds.

The Mexicans and Navajos believe that because these vegetables grow well together, they pair well together in recipes as well. We totally agree!

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Squash Chili Recipe

This vegetarian chili is hearty and filling. Made with fresh harvest produce that wasmeant to betogether, you certainly won’t leave the dinner table feeling hungry.

Imagine sitting by a fire, wrapped in a chunky woven blanket, in perfect crisp 55 degree weather. Then someone hands you a big bowl of Three Sisters Butternut Squash Chili, colorful, aromatic, and steaming hot.

It sounds picture-perfect, right?

No matter where you’re seated, we believe you’ll enjoy these flavors so reminiscent of fall.

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Three Sisters Butternut Squash Chili

Ingredients

  • Butter– To saute the vegetables and provide richness. However, you can use olive oil in the recipe to make vegan chili.
  • Sweet Onion and GarlicCloves– For deep zesty flavor.
  • Poblano Peppers– For smoky flavor and mild spice.
  • Butternut Squash– Sister #1. Soft, sweet, and a great thickening agent in the chili.
  • Red Kidney Beans– Sister #2. Or pinto beans, to fill out the chili and provide texture. (15-ounce cans)
  • Corn– Sister #3. To offer sweetness andpopin the recipe.
  • Crushed fire-roasted tomatoes– Or diced tomatoes, for a hearty tangy note.
  • Vegetable broth– Smooth and flavorful.
  • Green chiles– To bring the heat. You can use mild or hot chiles.
  • Ground cumin– Smoky essence. Just a tablespoon.
  • Dried oregano– For deep herbal sweetness.
  • Bay leaf– Creates balance in the soup.
  • Cilantro– To add freshness at the end.
  • Salt and Pepper– Can you cook a good meal without it?
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How To Make Vegetarian Chili

Instructions

  1. Prep and chop all the produce.Cut the butternut squash in half, then peel with a vegetable peeler. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon and discard them. Chop into even 1/2-inch cubes.
  2. Sauté the veggies.Set a large sauce pot/dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions, chopped poblano peppers, and minced garlic. Sauté to soften. Add in the cubed butternut squash, rinsed beans, tomatoes, broth, green chiles in juices, corn, and all spices. Add 1 teaspoon of salt, but save the cilantro for later.
  3. Simmer.Simmer the chili until the squash is fork-tender, stirring occasionally. Then uncover and simmer for another 5 minutes to thicken. Once the squash is fork-tender, remove the bay leaf. Taste, then salt and pepper as needed.
  4. Stir in the cilantro and serve alongside your favorite cornbread or tortilla chips. You can even sprinkle some cheese on top if you wish.

Get The Full (Printable) Three Sisters Butternut Squash Chili/Best Vegetarian Chili Recipe Below!

Butternut Squash Chili (Vegetarian Chili Recipe) + VIDEO - A Spicy Perspective (8)

Crockpot Easy Vegetarian Chili Recipe

On the go? You can make Three Sisters Chili in the crockpot!

  1. Sauté the onions, poblano peppers, and garlic on the stovetop.
  2. Then dump the veggies into a large 6+ quart slow cooker and add all remaining ingredients.
  3. Cover and cook on high for2-4 hours, or on low for5-7 hours.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the butternut squash not softening?

Make sure the butternut squash is cut into equal ½ inch cubes, so that they cook evenly.You can also turn up the heat if needed.

Can you freeze Three Sisters Chili?

Yes, you can! Place it in an airtight container and keep it in the freezer. Then thaw to room temperature before you reheat it.

How long does Three Sisters Chili last?

This chili will last 5-7 days in the fridge if you store it in an airtight container. That makes this a great make-ahead meal! You can also store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight and warm up the whole lot in a sauce pot or a single serving in the microwave.

Can I make this soup in the crockpot?

Of course! The directions for the crockpot version of Three Sisters Chili are included in the recipe below.

Butternut Squash Chili (Vegetarian Chili Recipe) + VIDEO - A Spicy Perspective (10)

More Fabulous Chili Recipes

  • Pumpkin Chili Recipe
  • The Best Beef Chili Recipe
  • Roasted Red Pepper Chicken Chili
  • Zesty Turkey Chili Recipe
  • New Mexican Chile Verde
  • Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
Butternut Squash Chili (Vegetarian Chili Recipe) + VIDEO - A Spicy Perspective (11)

Check the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information calories, carbohydrates, protein, potassium, fiber, vitamin c, and calcium percentages.

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Three Sisters Butternut Squash Chili Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

A Vegetarian Chili recipe inspired by the Native American legend of the Three Sisters: corn, squash, and beans.

Servings: 8

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Prep and chop all the produce. Cut the butternut squash in half, then peel with a vegetable peeler. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon and discard. Chop into even 1/2 inch cubes.

  • Set a large 7-8 quart saucepot over medium heat. Add the onions, chopped poblano peppers, and minced garlic. Sauté for 5 minute to soften.

  • Add in the cubed butternut squash, rinsed beans, tomatoes, broth, green chiles in juices, frozen corn, and all spices. Add 1 teaspoon of salt, but save the cilantro for later.

  • Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then uncover and simmer another 5 minutes to thicken. Once the squash is fork-tender, remove the bay leaf. Taste, then salt and pepper as needed. Stir in the cilantro and serve.

Video

Notes

Slow Cooker Instructions: Yes, you can make this is a crockpot! Sauté the onions, poblano peppers, and garlic on the stovetop. Then dump the veggies into a large 6+ quart slow cooker and add all remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on high for 2-4 hours, or on low for 5-7 hours.

Cooking Notes: Poblano chile peppers are mild and smoky. However, every once and a while you can stumble upon a spicier poblano. If you are worried about spicy heat, smell the poblanos as you chop them, then decide how much to add in.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.25cups, Calories: 200kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 1027mg, Potassium: 906mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 10791IU, Vitamin C: 74mg, Calcium: 125mg, Iron: 4mg

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: American

Author: Sommer Collier

Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

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Butternut Squash Chili (Vegetarian Chili Recipe) + VIDEO - A Spicy Perspective (2024)

FAQs

When to add peanut butter to chilli? ›

After 15 minutes, pour in the black beans and kidney beans; return to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the peanut butter until dissolved, then remove and discard the bay leaves, and season the chili with salt and pepper to taste.

Can you add brown sugar to chili? ›

Mmm! Now for the piece de resistance: 1-2 heaping Tablespoons brown sugar. The chili tastes completely different without the brown sugar so if you like a subtle sweetness in your chili then you've just got to go for it! Trust me, it will not make your chili taste like candy.

Can you add sour cream to chili while cooking? ›

To do it, scoop a few generous spoonfuls of sour cream into a heat-safe bowl and slowly add in spoonfuls of your hot chili broth, stirring to combine. This will gradually bring the sour cream up to temperature. From there, you can transfer the warmed-up sour cream into your pot of chili, curdle-free.

Can I add milk to chili? ›

Add More Ingredients: If you can, add a bit more of your other ingredients – more beans and stock, for example – to increase the amount of chili and “dilute” the spiciness. Add Dairy: Milk and cream are great for cutting through spiciness, so splashing in some dairy is worth a try.

Why do people put peanut butter in their chili? ›

It also can help add richness by complementing the chile powder with its nutty sweetness, and the healthy fats in peanut butter can even tame your chili if it's too spicy. Next time, when making your favorite tomato-based chili recipe, consider adding a hearty tablespoon or two of peanut butter.

What does butter do to chili? ›

Butter smooths out the bitterness and adds its unique richness, making you take another bite without quite knowing why. A dash of sugar and vinegar gives a sweet-sour flavor that also makes the sauce rounder and more satisfying.

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.

What to add to chili to make it spicy? ›

Spicier chili: to make chili even spicier, don't remove the ribs or seeds from the jalapeño. You can also add hot sauce, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes or dice up another hot chili pepper. I recommend trying the recipe as stated and letting the flavors sit for a few hours before adding additional spice.

Why do you put cinnamon in chili? ›

Cinnamon. The beauty of ground cinnamon is that it brings a warmth to your chili, without being spicy. It works well with other flavors commonly found in chili (like tomato, cumin and chile powder) so you only need a little bit to achieve the desired balance.

Why do people put baking soda in chili? ›

They suggested briefly soaking meat in a solution of baking soda and water to raise the pH on the meat's surface, making the proteins better able to attract more water and hold onto it during cooking.

Can I use mayo instead of sour cream in chili? ›

Mayo is a great sour cream substitute. It can be used as a 1:1 replacement in both baking and dips. You'll lose some of that tang that sour cream offers, but it still does a great job at adding moisture to baked goods. Plus, it's relatively the same texture as sour cream, which makes it a great sub in dips and sauce.

Does sour cream make chili less spicy? ›

Turns out, the fiery chemical in hot chilis, capsaicin, likes to bind itself onto a compound in milk, which neutralizes the burn. Add a generous dollop of sour cream, creme fraiche, or yogurt to scorching hot chili or stews, or even a touch of milk or cream. For best results, though, go with full-fat dairy.

What not to put in chili? ›

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

What is the best liquid to add to chili? ›

Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.

How do you make chili taste richer? ›

Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.

When should you introduce peanut butter? ›

Babies can have peanut butter as soon as they begin showing an interest in solid foods and have the ability to eat other typical first solids like cereals and purees, says David Stukus, MD, a pediatrician in Columbus, Ohio. This will probably be around the time they're between 4 and 6 months of age.

Does peanut butter neutralize spicy food? ›

What's the Best Spice Neutralizer? As a hydrophobic, fat-soluble compound, capsaicin makes food spicy and dissolves in fat and oil, not water. That's why milk is a well-known option for counteracting spice, but peanut butter is another staple that can be just as effective.

Do you put peanut butter before or after toast? ›

Once the toast is crispy golden, remove from the toaster, and immediately spread the margarine on whilst still piping hot. Evenly spread the peanut butter on top of the toast.

Does peanut butter melt in heat? ›

It should take about 5 minutes for the peanut butter to melt. Remove from heat. As soon as the peanut butter reaches the desired consistency, remove it from the stove. Taking it off of the heat immediately prevents it from thinning out too much or burning to the pan.

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