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Recipe Pairing

Smoky Bourbon-Spiced Pumpkin Chili with Toasted Pepitas

A warming and smoky pumpkin chili infused with bourbon and topped with crunchy toasted pepitas—perfect for a cozy Halloween dinner.

Best Pairing Answer

The best bourbon pairing for Smoky Bourbon-Spiced Pumpkin Chili with Toasted Pepitas is Buffalo Trace Standard. Buffalo Trace Standard works as a contrast pairing for this turkey dish because it offsets the simmering profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors, sweetness helps tame he…

Smoky Bourbon-Spiced Pumpkin Chili with Toasted Pepitas

The Recipe

Ingredients & Instructions

Everything you need to make this dish at home.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 medium pumpkin, peeled and cubed (about 2 cups)
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds) for garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and garlic; sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
  3. Stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper, cooking for 1 minute to toast spices.
  4. Pour in the bourbon carefully and let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
  5. Add the cubed pumpkin, diced tomatoes (with juices), black beans, and chicken broth. Stir to combine.
  6. Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer uncovered for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pumpkin is tender and chili thickens.
  7. Adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed.
  8. Serve hot, garnished with toasted pepitas for a crunchy finish.

Top Matches

Best Bourbon Pairings for Smoky Bourbon-Spiced Pumpkin Chili with Toasted Pepitas

Ranked bourbon recommendations for this recipe.

featured
92%

Buffalo Trace Standard

Bourbon 45.00% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Spiced Pumpkin Chili with Toasted Pepitas

Buffalo Trace Standard works as a contrast pairing for this turkey dish because it offsets the simmering profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors, sweetness helps tame heat.

Vanilla, Caramel, Oak Mint, Molasses, Pepper
Pairing Score 92%
featured
92%

Henry McKenna Single Barrel

Single Barrel Bourbon 50.00% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Spiced Pumpkin Chili with Toasted Pepitas

Henry McKenna Single Barrel works as a contrast pairing for this turkey dish because it offsets the simmering profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors, sweetness helps tame heat.

Caramel, Honey, Oak Baking Spice, Orange, Leather
Pairing Score 92%
featured
91%

Elijah Craig Small Batch

Bourbon 47.00% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Spiced Pumpkin Chili with Toasted Pepitas

Elijah Craig Small Batch works as a contrast pairing for this turkey dish because it offsets the simmering profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors, sweetness helps tame heat.

Caramel, Oak, Vanilla Baking Spice, Toasted Nuts, Apple
Pairing Score 91%
featured
90%

Knob Creek Rye

Rye 50.00% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Spiced Pumpkin Chili with Toasted Pepitas

Knob Creek Rye complements this turkey dish and its simmering profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors, sweetness helps tame heat.

Rye Spice, Oak, Vanilla Dill, Herbal, Caramel
Pairing Score 90%
featured
90%

Old Forester 100 Proof

Bourbon 50.00% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Spiced Pumpkin Chili with Toasted Pepitas

Old Forester 100 Proof complements this turkey dish and its simmering profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors, sweetness helps tame heat.

Caramel, Baking Spice, Oak Banana, Vanilla, Toasted Nut
Pairing Score 90%
featured
90%

Old Forester 1920

Bourbon 57.50% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Spiced Pumpkin Chili with Toasted Pepitas

Old Forester 1920 works as a contrast pairing for this turkey dish because it offsets the simmering profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors, sweetness helps tame heat.

Dark Caramel, Cocoa, Oak Cherry, Baking Spice, Coffee
Pairing Score 90%
featured
90%

Russell’s Reserve 10 Year

Small Batch Bourbon 45.00% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Spiced Pumpkin Chili with Toasted Pepitas

Russell’s Reserve 10 Year works as a contrast pairing for this turkey dish because it offsets the simmering profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors, sweetness helps tame heat.

Vanilla, Toffee, Oak Orange Zest, Baking Spice, Honey
Pairing Score 90%
featured
90%

Woodford Reserve Standard

Bourbon 45.20% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Spiced Pumpkin Chili with Toasted Pepitas

Woodford Reserve Standard works as a contrast pairing for this turkey dish because it offsets the simmering profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors, sweetness helps tame heat.

Dried Fruit, Cocoa, Spice Mint, Orange, Toasted Oak
Pairing Score 90%
featured
89%

Maker’s Mark 46

Barrel Finished Bourbon 47.00% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Spiced Pumpkin Chili with Toasted Pepitas

Maker’s Mark 46 works as a contrast pairing for this turkey dish because it offsets the simmering profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors, sweetness helps tame heat.

Vanilla, Toasted Oak, Caramel Baking Spice, Cocoa, Dried Fruit
Pairing Score 89%
featured
89%

Old Forester Statesman

Bourbon 47.50% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Spiced Pumpkin Chili with Toasted Pepitas

Old Forester Statesman works as a contrast pairing for this turkey dish because it offsets the simmering profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors, sweetness helps tame heat.

Cherry, Apple, Oak Caramel, Baking Spice, Vanilla
Pairing Score 89%
featured
88%

Angel’s Envy Standard

Barrel Finished Bourbon 43.30% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Spiced Pumpkin Chili with Toasted Pepitas

Angel’s Envy Standard works as a contrast pairing for this turkey dish because it offsets the simmering profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors, sweetness helps tame heat.

Vanilla, Caramel, Dried Fruit Oak, Baking Spice, Red Berry
Pairing Score 88%
featured
88%

Four Roses Small Batch

Small Batch Bourbon 45.00% ABV For Smoky Bourbon-Spiced Pumpkin Chili with Toasted Pepitas

Four Roses Small Batch works as a contrast pairing for this turkey dish because it offsets the simmering profile. It has sweetness and spice work with savory poultry or pork, oak and smoke reinforce charred flavors, sweetness helps tame heat.

Caramel, Red Fruit, Spice Vanilla, Oak, Herbal
Pairing Score 88%