Crockpots are wonderful, aren’t they? My crockpot might be the most-used appliance in my kitchen after my food processor, and my Instant Pot has been giving it a run for its money. Slow cookers simplify evenings by turning simple ingredients into deeply flavored meals while filling the house with comforting aromas.
Blessed be the person who invented the slow cooker. Not only does it make food taste incredible, it also removes the stress of getting dinner on the table after a busy day. This Crockpot Beef Pumpkin Curry is one of those “dump-and-forget” meals: you add the ingredients, set the timer, and come home to a warm, satisfying dinner.
Although this recipe isn’t a traditional curry—since it uses nightshade-free, AIP-friendly spices—it captures the same warmth and comfort thanks to turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and creamy coconut milk. Hearty grass-fed ground beef combined with seasonal pumpkin and butternut squash makes this dish perfect for chilly autumn evenings.
This Crockpot Beef Pumpkin Curry sits somewhere between a curry and a chili. Serve it in a bowl like a chili, over a baked sweet potato topped with ripe avocado, or spoon it over cauliflower rice with fresh cilantro or parsley for a curry-style meal. It’s delicious whichever way you prefer.
To make this, pull out your crockpot and add grass-fed ground beef or any ground meat you prefer. Browning the meat first and draining excess fat is optional—skipping that step still yields a delicious result. After the meat goes in, add a chopped onion and peeled, chopped butternut squash. If peeling and dicing butternut squash feels tedious, buy pre-cut squash from the store or swap in sweet potato.
Next, stir in the pumpkin puree, coconut milk, bone broth, and the spices. Set the crockpot on low and cook for about 5–6 hours. If you choose to brown the meat beforehand, you can likely reduce the low setting to 4 hours. The result is a thick, aromatic stew layered with savory, sweet, and warm spice notes.
The recipe makes a generous batch, so plan for leftovers that reheat beautifully. Enjoy it over cauliflower rice, a baked sweet potato, spaghetti squash, or simply in a bowl with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.
For my plate, I made cauliflower rice: simply pulse a head of cauliflower in a food processor and sauté the resulting florets in coconut oil with a bit of garlic and sea salt for about 10 minutes until tender. Spoon the curry over the cauliflower rice, finish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime, and enjoy—a cozy, AIP-friendly meal that still feels indulgent.
Although I sometimes miss spicier, traditional curries on an AIP diet, this Crockpot Beef Pumpkin Curry is a fantastic, satisfying alternative. The turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon give it a curry-like aroma, while the coconut milk, pumpkin, and squash add gentle sweetness. It’s a warming, hearty dish that’s perfect for cooler weather—one I’ll be making again and again.
- 2 lbs. grass-fed ground beef (or ground meat of choice)
- 2–3 cups peeled and chopped butternut squash (or 1 large squash)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
- 1 (15-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
- 1 cup bone broth or beef stock
- 2 tablespoons turmeric
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
- Chopped fresh cilantro and lime wedges, for serving
- Place the ground beef in the bottom of a large crockpot and break it up with a spoon.
- Add the chopped onion, butternut squash, pumpkin puree, coconut milk, bone broth, and all spices and seasonings except the cilantro and lime. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 5–6 hours, or about 4 hours if the meat is browned first.
- Serve over cauliflower rice, baked sweet potato, or spaghetti squash, or enjoy it on its own in a bowl.
- Garnish each serving with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.
Note: this post originally mentioned products and related resources. I only recommend items I personally use and enjoy. For full disclosure details, refer to the author’s disclosure information.