Butternut Squash Chili
This one’s a fall classic in our house—and yes, it’s easy to tailor for your allergies. No dairy, no eggs, no nuts, no gluten, no stress. Just warm spices, cozy squash, and a slow cooker doing all the heavy lifting while you live your life. It’s the kind of meal that makes your kitchen smell amazing and your people feel taken care of. Serve it with cornbread (allergy-safe, of course) and watch it disappear.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef (or turkey)
1 onion, diced
2 (14.5-ounce) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 poblano pepper, seeded and chopped
2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped (add extra if you want more heat)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons dried oregano
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 cups diced butternut squash
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground meat and onion. Cook until browned, about 3–5 minutes, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
Transfer the meat mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker. Stir in tomatoes, beans, peppers, garlic, chili powder, paprika, cumin, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Without stirring, layer the butternut squash evenly on top.
Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours. Gently fold in the squash before serving.
Serve warm—with cornbread if you’re feeling festive.
Note
If you need to pivot to stovetop (hello, mom brain—we’ve all been there), just cook the meat, toss everything into a large pot, and let it simmer for about 45 minutes. Still delicious, still cozy.
Want to save this recipe for later?
Click to download a printable version—perfect for meal planning, potlucks, or sharing with allergy-friendly friends.
Tried it?
If you try this recipe, let me know in the comments!
Hope this brings warmth to your kitchen and comfort to your crew.
Enjoy! — Liz, your everyday allergy mom 💛
