Chili, as you likely well know, isn’t chill. It’s not a hard dish to make, mind you–quite easy, actually. But it takes time; it takes timing. And you probably don’t have time for that, especially not if it’s gameday, halloween night, or the usual action-packed day.
Now, you don’t have time to sit at a pot for sixty minutes, obviously; we, though, don’t even need 30 here. Indeed, what if I told you we can get your grub–pretty good grub at that–on the table in 20 minutes start to finish? You have time for that. All we have to do is throw out the usual process, authenticity, complexity you might be accustomed to when eating a bowl of red–we did title it “easy chili for kids,” after all. Sweating onions and garlic? Nah, they don’t care, and usually don’t like little bits in their food. Adding ingredients at particular times to build layers of flavor? Yo, it’s all going in at once–well, more like twice (but you get the idea). All in, just with as little effort as possible–including absolutely no prep.
Shortcuts? Sure. But we also draw on a few secrets to ensure a satisfying and accessible meal for you and your child. Pumpkin is not an obvious and/or even sensible sub for tomatoes; still, it adds creaminess and a natural sweetness that will appeal to a toddler. Spices stick to the usual mix for chili–paprika, cumin, garlic, et al.–with a more modest sprinkling to account for baby mouths. No, the magic comes from the use of chocolate–in fact, we’ve been known to drop in a piece of Halloween candy or two to get the job. We didn’t invent chocolate-in-chili, but we sure do appreciate what it can do: it provides a depth and subtle sweetness that allows the chili to well overachieve relative to your effort.
See the Serve section for tips on how to make the most of chili night!
🥣 What You Need To Make Easy Chili For Kids
No knife, no cutting board, no stress. Everything here gets tossed straight in the pot. The pumpkin keeps things smooth and mellow, while the ground beef and spices give it just enough “real chili” flavor to satisfy both the grown-ups and the kids. Chocolate brings the secret depth, and if you’ve got leftover Halloween candy, even better.
🔥 Steps at a Glance
- Brown the beef. Heat the pot, break it up fast, and let it get some color—this is where most of the flavor happens.
- Bloom the spices. Paprika, cumin, garlic, onion, oregano—give them 30 seconds in the fat before stirring in.
- Add your liquids and pumpkin. The broth loosens things up, the pumpkin thickens it right back.
- Simmer with chocolate and beans. Once it bubbles, drop in the chocolate and beans, then reduce the heat. Ten to fifteen minutes later, you’re done.
This whole process is more about rhythm than precision. You’ll see when it’s ready—the texture will thicken and the color will deepen to that perfect dark orange-brown.
❓ FAQ
Can I skip the beans?
Absolutely. The chili stands up fine without them; they just add a touch of bulk and fiber.
What kind of pumpkin should I use?
Any plain canned pumpkin puree works. Avoid pumpkin pie filling (it’s pre-sweetened).
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Sure—just bump up the fat elsewhere with a bit of oil or butter so the texture stays rich.
Is it really toddler-friendly?
Yes. The spice mix is mild and the chocolate smooths any edge. If you’re worried, halve the paprika and cumin the first time.
Can I make it ahead?
It reheats well, so yes. It thickens in the fridge, so add a splash of broth when warming up.
🔗 Related Links
What to Serve With Easy Chili for Kids
- Kid-Friendly Guacamole — A guac with extra nutrition and a taste kids love.
- Easy Rice for Toddlers — Simple, soft, and perfectly absorbent—ideal under or alongside your chili.
- Mexican Corn Cake — This moist and rich bread is perfect for dipping in the chili.
More Toddler-Friendly Recipes Like This
- Pumpkin Chickpea Blondies — A cozy, naturally sweet treat that makes the most of any leftover pumpkin puree.
- Roll and a Bowl — Another take on pumpkin-infused chili, this time sided with a pumpkin cinnamon roll
- Peanut Butter Noodle Soup — Another quick and easy dinner recipe that delivers big flavors with items already in your pantry.
Quick And Easy Chili For Kids
Description
This easy chili for kids combines hearty ground beef with smooth pumpkin for a mild, nourishing bowl that little ones love. It’s a perfect way to sneak in veggies while keeping the flavor comforting and familiar.
Ingredients
Possible Chili Toppings
Instructions
Prep, Cook, and Assemble
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Heat a small pot to Medium. Once hot, add ground beef and stir and chop repeatedly until meat clumps are broken up into small pieces; heat until browned on all sides, roughly 60-90 seconds. Be sure and scrape the bottom to keep meat from sticking.
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Add paprika, cumin, garlic, onion, and oregano to pot; allow to bloom in the pot for 30 seconds before stirring in with beef. Add a pinch each of salt and pepper.
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Add the Worcestershire sauce, pumpkin, and broth to the pot; stir, again scraping bottom of pot. Raise heat to High and bring to a boil.
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Once bubbling, add beans (if using) and chocolate to the pot; reduce heat to Medium Low so that the mixture gently simmers. Cook until thickened, roughly 10-15 minutes.
Serve
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It’s all about the customization here: fill up everyone’s bowl with chili but also fill up the table with liked and/or on-hand toppings–shredded cheese, avocado, sour cream or yogurt, etc.--and let everyone get at it. If your child’s not into it at first, two solutions that have never failed for us: 1) plate the chili over rice, in whatever proportion your child prefers; or, 2) spoon some chili on top of a tortilla chip and eat like nachos.
Adapt
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If you have the time and inclination to make the chili the more traditional way, dice half of a small onion and cook in a splash of oil for 3-4 minutes; dice up and add in two cloves of garlic and let cook for another minute before adding beef. Add a tbsp of tomato paste while the beef is cooking before bringing in the remaining ingredients.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 3
Serving Size 1 small bowl
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 250kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 15g24%
- Cholesterol 50mg17%
- Sodium 200mg9%
- Potassium 400mg12%
- Total Carbohydrate 8g3%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 3g
- Protein 15g30%
- Vitamin A 5000 IU
- Calcium 45 mg
- Iron 3 mg
- Magnesium 38 mg
- Zinc 4 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
