Monster Favorite Easy Valeo Chili

It really doesn't get easier than this crowd-pleasing crockpot chili!

For the printable recipe PDF click here.

First let me address the elephant in the room: yes, there are beans in this chili. No, beans are not paleo.

This recipe is what we have deemed "valeo," our term for recipes that substitute some or all of the animal protein in a dish with legumes but otherwise follow a paleo protocol.

For more on our valeo approach, see here.

This easy chili is one of the few dinners in our rotation that EVERYONE is excited to eat. Picky monsters rejoice! And with a family of seven, that is really saying something.

I prefer ground turkey in this chili, but you could definitely use ground beef if you prefer, or make it vegan with extra beans instead of meat.

The pumpkin puree adds the perfect heft and density to the chili without being overly pumpkin-y.

The only seasonings you need are salt and a great chili powder. This homemade chili powder is the absolute best.

Throw everything into a slow cooker for a few hours, and you are good to go! I don't brown the meat first, and I don't even strain the beans! I like to top this chili with avocado and cilantro for serving, but that is of course entirely optional.

With the exception of the seasonings, this chili is completely composed of ingredients native to the Americas, making it the perfect recipe to make for Indigenous Peoples Day.

Of course, we think you'll want to make it a lot more often than that!

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 lb ground turkey (I prefer 80% lean)

• 2 cans black beans

• 1 can crushed fire roasted tomatoes

• 1 can diced fire roasted tomatoes

• 1 can pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

• 2 T good chili powder

• 1 T salt

• Cilantro and avocado for serving, if desired

Here's what you'll do:

1. Add all ingredients to a slow cooker, stir to combine/break up the turkey, and cook on high for 4 hours.

2. Give a final stir and serve with chopped cilantro and avocado if desired.

For the printable recipe PDF click here.