A comforting slow cooker stew that blends lean ground turkey with velvety pumpkin, warming spices, and a touch of cream or coconut milk for richness.
Author:lina
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:4 hours
Total Time:4 hours 15 minutes
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Stew
Method:Slow Cooking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Ground Turkey and Aromatics
1 lb ground turkey (preferably lean)
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
Pumpkin Base
4 cups pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)
Spices and Flavor
1 tbsp turmeric (ground)
1 tsp cinnamon (ground)
1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
Liquid and Finish
2 cups chicken broth
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Creaminess
Optional cream or coconut milk (for richer texture)
Instructions
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Prepare the base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
Cook the turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
Aromatics and spices: Stir in minced garlic, turmeric, cinnamon, and smoked paprika; cook for another minute until the spices are fragrant.
Combine in slow cooker: Transfer the turkey mixture to the slow cooker, then add pumpkin puree, chicken broth, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir well to combine.
Slow cook: Cover and set the slow cooker to low. Let the stew simmer for 4 hours, until flavors meld and the pumpkin is velvety.
Adjust texture: Once cooked, open the lid and check the consistency. For a silkier texture, use a ladle to mash some pumpkin pieces or blend a portion of the stew gently.
Finish and serve: If desired, stir in a splash of cream or coconut milk for extra richness and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything well and let it sit for a few minutes to absorb the flavors before serving.
Serve: Scoop the hot stew into bowls, garnish as desired, and enjoy the comforting, velvety texture with tender pieces of turkey and pumpkin.
Notes
Can be made dairy-free by omitting cream or coconut milk.
Leftovers reheat well and can be frozen for up to 3 months.
For a thicker stew, mash more pumpkin or reduce the broth by 1/4 cup before finishing.