Instant Pot Butternut Squash Chili is filled with big, warm spices. The cumin, chili powder and dry mustard add warm flavor. With loads of butternut squash, turkey and beans it balance the spices.
Next time try the Boilermaker Chili - it's amazing!

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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ Using the instant pot makes this quick and easy.
✔️ Speaking of quick, canned beans are a great shortcut.
✔️ Great flavor and easy to make.

Ingredients
For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- black beans or kidney beans
- turkey meat or stew meat, use your favorite.
- butternut squash
- canned tomatoes
Instructions
- Start by sautéing the turkey meat in the Instant Pot.
- Add the diced vegetables.
- Season with the spices.
- Add the tomatoes and beans.
- Seal and let the Instant Pot do the work for you!

I would be amiss not to mention if you're looking for a great side dish to serve with this chili, my skillet cornbread.... now there's a great choice! It's super easy to make and a cast iron skillet makes for a great crust all over the chili!
Now when it comes to this chili, whether you make it in the Instant Pot or on the stove top, this is a great chili and a delicious meal.
See how easy it is to make?
Related recipes
- White Bean Turkey Chili
- Green Chili Chicken Posole Recipe
- Smokey Chipotle Chili
- 30 Minute Chili Mac and Cheese
Do you love this recipe? Be sure to give it a five star rating below!
Butternut Squash Chili
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 4 cups butternut squash
- 1 bell pepper diced, I used red bell pepper
- 1 sweet yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 3 14 oz can black beans* undrained - I've used both black beans & kidney beans.
- 1 28 oz. can peeled tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon to 1 salt to taste at the end of cooking
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Instructions
- Instant Pot Directions - Turn the IP to saute, when hot add the ground turkey and brown.
- While it is cooking dice the onion, bell pepper. Peel and dice the squash.
- When the meat is browned, add the onion, bell pepper & squash to the stock pot. Also add the spices - cumin, chili powder, yellow mustard & black pepper.
- Sauté for about five minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Mince the garlic and add it to the pot, sauté for another minute.
- Next Add the black beans, canned tomatoes and brown sugar. Stir well to combine.
- Change setting to chili/beans. Add the lid and seal. Set timing to 15 minutes
- Quick release when done. Stir and serve
- Stove Top Directions - In a large stock pot over medium heat, brown the ground turkey. While it is cooking dice the onion, bell pepper & squash.
- When the meat is browned, pour off any excess fat - then add the onion, bell pepper & squash to the stock pot. Also add the spices - cumin, chili powder, ground mustard & black pepper. Sauté for about five minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Mince the garlic and add it to the pot, sauté for another minute.
- Next Add the beans, canned tomatoes and brown sugar. Stir well to combine, reduce heat to low and simmer covered for about 45 minutes - stirring occasionally.
Notes
Nutrition
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Don't worry, we'll never share your email.Recipe backstory
My Mom is a recent convert to Instant Pot cooking also. I've been sending my recipes to her to try before sharing them with you. My folks have certainly enjoyed their Instant Pot cooking!
Dad is the other camera nut in the family (I come about it honestly, I swear!) and he posted this picture on Facebook the other day. He actually got in a debate with another asking WHY there were beans in this chili? And WHAT are you doing with all that cheese? (that isn't cheese, it is squash!)
Butternut squash in chili? Sure, why not! People feel pretty strong about their chili so I'm calling this a healthier version of chili. Here's what you'll need.
Richa Gupta
Looks amazing, perfect for the winter!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Richa - I'd have to agree with you there - love a good pot of chili!!
Carolyn
This looks fantastic!
Bowl Me Over
Thank you Carolyn!
Lindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen
I love the idea of butternut squash in chili!
Bowl Me Over
Wonderful! I hope you really enjoy it Lindsay!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
Butternut Squash in chili is the best!
Bowl Me Over
Absolutely - such a great combination. Thanks Meagan!
Sandi
Wow, I love that you updated this recipe by using an Instant Pot...I LOVE how much quicker dinner is on the table with a pressure cooker!
Bowl Me Over
I'm just loving my Instant Pot - best kitchen update in a long time!
Healing Tomato
This is the perfect time of the year to try butternut squash chili. Your recipe looks so warm and inviting.
Bowl Me Over
I tell ya I'm always up for a bowl of chili! I'm crediting beans with my weight loss success - so filling and satisfying! 🙂
Prairie Gal Cookin
Hey, Debra! Just wanted to drop you a note and say thanks so much for linking up over at Sunday’s Simple Homemaker! Please feel free to drop in and leave a different link or two on this week’s link-up, would love to have you! http://www.prairiegalcookin.com/sundays-simple-homemaker-3rd-weekly-link-up/
Bowl Me Over
Done and done! 😀 Just linked up to this weeks's party - thank you!
Elizabeth
Gosh this recipe sounds so lovely! Love the flavours you've used. I must try this!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Elizabeth - if you do, please pop back by and let me know what you thought! Have a great day!!!
Debi at Life Currents
This looks awesome! I love the adding butternut squash, not only for flavor, but texture and health! These are some awesome flavors you have here! Yum!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Debi, we've sure enjoyed this chili - so yummy. Appreciate you stopping by!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
Such a warming dish! I love butternut squash.
Bowl Me Over
Me too, always love a new way to make it too!
Katerina
Butternut squash is about the only type of squash we have in Greece! I love new delicious recipes like this one to add to my recipe box!
Manila Spoon
Nothing beats a delicious bowl of chili for cold wintry nights! Looks delicious!
Diane
Oh you poor thing! I'm glad you're better now. I got a visual on your hubby's retreat to the kitchen surgery. LOL! I hope he escaped unscathed.
This chili sounds perfect for a tastebud re-awakener. I love that is has both hamburger and sausage. Thats a winning combo in my book! This recipe pretty much has everything I can think of to make a perfect bowl of warm comforting chili!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
LOVE LOVE the sweet butternut in here, playing against the spice in the chili. YUM!
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Dorothy - I love the combination too!
Joanne/WineLady Cooks
I love adding squash to my chili as well, this is certainly comfort food you need this week.
Bowl Me Over
Yes, they go so perfectly together. Thanks Joanne!
Divya@Divya's Culinary Journey
This chilli is packed with flavor! Looks so delicious and hearty!
Bowl Me Over
Yum, yum, yum! Thanks Divya, perfect food to warm then belly!
Jennifer Johnson
What a great flavor twist on chili.
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Jennifer!
Janette@CulinaryGinger
I love the sweet addition of the squash. A lovely hearty dish.
Bowl Me Over
Thanks Janette!
Linda (Meal Planning Maven)
Even though we live in Florida, we enjoy chili all year round. And yours looks so hearty and delicious...a must-try for sure!
Bowl Me Over
Awesome, I hope you give it a try and let me know what you think! Have a GREAT week Linda!
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant
This looks sooooo good. I bet it put the final kabosh on that cold, too. Pinning.
Bowl Me Over
So good, just loved it Christine, thank you!