In the realm of comforting dishes, few challenge the hearty goodness of chili. If you’re looking for a healthier (but still tasty!) twist on the classic comfort food, turkey chili might just be your new go-to. Substituting traditional ground beef with lean ground turkey, this chili offers a lighter yet protein-packed alternative. The turkey’s mild flavor allows the medley of spices, such as paprika and chili powder, to shine through. Loaded with kidney beans, tomatoes, and onions, each spoonful delivers a hearty mix of textures and taste. Whether you serve it with chips, over a baked potato, or top it with cheese and a dallop of sour cream, this turkey chili recipe will win the hearts of all who taste it!
Why You’ll Love This Turkey Chili
- Easy – This turkey chili recipe is easy — just brown your meat, add vegetables, spices, and let simmer all in a single pot, so you don’t have tons of dishes to wash afterwards.
- Healthy Alternative – Turkey chili provides a lighter alternative to the traditional ground beef version, offering a leaner protein source.
- Flavorful – Ground turkey, with its mild flavor, readily absorbs the delicious medley of spices and creates a satisfying dish you’ll want to make over and over again!
- Perfect for All Occasions – Whether you’re hosting a game day gathering, a casual family dinner, or simply craving a comfort meal, turkey chili fits the bill. Its versatility makes it a crowd-pleaser, and the aroma of simmering spices is sure to create a cozy atmosphere in your kitchen.
- Pairing Possibilities – Top your turkey chili with shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, fresh cilantro, green onions — you name it! Serve it with cornbread, chips, crackers, or even as a topping for baked potatoes.
Recommended Tools for This Recipe
- Cup Strainer – Use a cup strainer to easily drain the canned kidney beans and tomatoes used in this recipe.
- Chopping Board – Avoid scratching your plates and countertops by dicing your onions on a chopping board.
- Pot – As this is a one-pot recipe, I recommend using a pot that is at least 3 quarts to contain all the ingredients.
Chili Ingredients
- Ground Meat – This recipe calls for ground turkey, but feel free to swap for ground beef.
- Olive Oil – A kitchen essential, olive oil will help brown your ground meat.
- Yellow Onions – Add depth and a robust, sweet flavor to your turkey chili with yellow onions.
- Chili Powder – What would chili be without chili powder? Use this spice blend to add a bold kick to your dish.
- Garlic Powder – A convenient kitchen staple, garlic powder is derived from dehydrated garlic cloves and adds a pungent, savory kick to dishes without the need for peeling and chopping. Want a stronger garlic flavor? Replace each teaspoon of garlic with a teaspoon of minced garlic in a jar.
- Ground Pepper – Add a burst of warmth with crushed peppercorn.
- Canned Tomatoes – Packed at the peak of freshness, canned tomatoes offer the essence of ripe tomatoes year-round and are a staple in my pantry. They’re a versatile base for sauces, soups, stews, and yes, this chili. When adding to your chili, make sure you keep the juice!
- Kidney Beans – This recipe calls for canned red kidney beans, so you can spend less time slow cooking beans and more time enjoying this tasty turkey chili!
- Shredded Cheese – I prefer to top my chili with this Mexican cheese blend, but opt for your cheese of choice!
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Turkey Chili Recipe
Turkey Chili Ingredients
Instructions
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Brown meat
In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add meat and sauté for 5 minutes or until lightly browned.
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Add vegetables and spices
Add onion, kidney beans, tomatoes, chili powder, garlic powder, ground pepper, and beef bouillon.
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Simmer
Simmer and stir occasionally for about 20 minutes or until onion is wilted.
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Enjoy
Serve turkey chili in a bowl and top with preferred toppings - cheese, sour cream, cilantro, sliced jalapeño, etc.
Note
- Ground turkey can be substituted with ground beef or protein crumbles.
- While this turkey chili recipe calls for stewed tomatoes, canned dice tomatoes work too!
- Add water to achieve desired consistency.
