Turkey Chili Recipe with Bold Flavors and Simple Ingredients

Why You’ll Love This Turkey Chili

Taste the comforting warmth of turkey chili, a dish that’s easy to prepare and ideal for busy evenings. Its health-focused ingredients make it a smart choice for anyone watching their diet. Dive into why this recipe stands out among family favorites for its simplicity and bold flavors.

This turkey chili comes together quickly with everyday ingredients, making it perfect for anyone new to cooking. You’ll appreciate how its lean proteins support heart health and weight management without sacrificing taste. Plus, its adaptable nature lets you tweak it to fit various dietary needs, from gluten-free to low-calorie options.

One of the best parts is the rich mix of spices that give it a unique depth, setting it apart from standard recipes. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just yourself, this meal delivers satisfaction in every bite. For more on healthy eating, check out this benefits of turkey guide.

The recipe’s versatility shines through in its ability to create memorable meals with minimal effort. Imagine serving it up with your favorite sides for a cozy dinner. This makes it a go-to for home cooks looking to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.

Key Benefits and Features

• Ease of preparation makes it ideal for busy weeknights.
• Health benefits come from lean turkey and veggies that boost nutrition.
• Versatility allows swaps for gluten-free, vegan, or low-calorie diets.
• Distinctive flavor from spices and tomatoes creates a hearty taste.

Essential Ingredients for Turkey Chili

Gathering the right ingredients is key to making great turkey chili. Start with fresh, high-quality items to build a flavorful base. This section lists everything you need, drawn straight from the recipe for clear guidance.

Use these ingredients to create a balanced and nutritious meal. They combine to deliver a satisfying dish that’s both simple and delicious. Remember, precise measurements help ensure success every time you cook.

Complete Ingredient List

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1 pound (about 450g) ground turkey (preferably 93% lean)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, balances acidity)
• 2 tablespoons chili powder (reduce to 1 tablespoon for milder flavor)
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 ¾ cups (about 414ml) low sodium chicken broth (or one 14.5-ounce can)
• 28-ounce can fire roasted crushed tomatoes (diced tomatoes may be substituted)
• 15-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 15-ounce can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• Toppings as desired (such as shredded cheese, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, cilantro, chopped onions, avocado, jalapeños, tortilla chips)

These items form the foundation of your turkey chili. For more insights on beans in cooking, explore why beans are great.

How to Prepare the Perfect Turkey Chili: Step-by-Step Guide

Making turkey chili is straightforward and rewarding for any level of cook. Begin by setting up your ingredients to keep things organized and fun. This guide covers multiple methods to suit your kitchen setup.

Stove Top Method

Start with a large pot to build flavors step by step. Heat the olive oil and cook the onions first for a solid base. Add the ground turkey and let it brown to lock in taste.

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook chopped onion for about 2 minutes until softened.
2. Add ground turkey, crumble, and cook until browned (approximately 5 minutes).
3. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
4. Stir in brown sugar, chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and tomato paste; cook for about one minute to develop flavors.
5. Add chicken broth, scraping the pot bottom to loosen browned bits.
6. Add fire roasted tomatoes and the three types of beans; stir to combine.
7. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low; simmer partially covered for 1 to 2 hours, uncovering during the last 30 minutes to thicken.
8. Serve with preferred toppings.

Slow Cooker Method

This option is great for hands-off cooking. First, sauté on the stove for depth. Then transfer to your slow cooker for easy simmering.

1. Sauté onion, ground turkey, and garlic as above on the stove.
2. Turn off heat and stir in brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and tomato paste.
3. Add chicken broth, scraping the bottom, then transfer mixture to slow cooker.
4. Add tomatoes and beans, stir gently.
5. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.
6. Serve with desired toppings.

Instant Pot Method

Use this for quick meals without losing flavor. Follow the sauté steps carefully to avoid issues. Pressure cooking speeds things up nicely.

1. Use the sauté function to cook onion and ground turkey; add garlic and sauté briefly.
2. Stir in brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and tomato paste.
3. Add chicken broth, scraping the bottom.
4. Add tomatoes and beans on top without stirring.
5. Seal lid and cook on high pressure for 12 minutes.
6. Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
7. If chili is too thin, use sauté mode to simmer and thicken.
8. Serve with toppings as desired.

Nutritional facts per 1.5 cup serving include 459 calories, 49g carbohydrates, 38g protein, 13g fat, 3g saturated fat, 79mg cholesterol, 834mg sodium, 18g fiber, and 12g sugar. This makes turkey chili a wholesome choice for balanced eating.

this …

Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Turkey Chili

Adapting turkey chili to your needs is simple and fun. Swap proteins or veggies to match preferences or restrictions. This keeps the dish enjoyable for everyone at the table.

For instance, switch ground turkey for other options to change things up. Experiment with different beans for varied textures and tastes. These tweaks help maintain the dish’s bold essence.

Protein and Main Component Alternatives

• Replace ground turkey with ground chicken, beef, or plant-based crumbles.
• Use lentils or black beans instead of kidney beans.

Vegetable, Sauce, and Seasoning Modifications

• Substitute bell peppers with zucchini or mushrooms.
• Use chipotle peppers in adobo for smoky heat.
• Swap traditional chili powder with homemade blends.

Special dietary options include vegan swaps like plant-based meat and vegetable broth, or gluten-free checks on spices and broths. For low-calorie versions, add more veggies and cut oil.

Mastering Turkey Chili: Advanced Tips and Variations

Take your turkey chili to the next level with expert advice. Learn pro techniques to enhance flavors and presentation. These tips make cooking more enjoyable and your meals stand out.

Pro Cooking Techniques and Flavor Ideas

• Brown meat in batches for better caramelization.
• Add cocoa powder or dark chocolate for extra depth.
• Use fire-roasted tomatoes for a smoky twist.

Enhance your dish with additions like bell peppers or spinach for nutrition. Adjust spiciness with chili powder or red pepper flakes. Pair it with cornbread for a full meal, and leftovers can become chili mac with pasta and cheese.

Presentation and Make-Ahead Options

Serve in bowls with fresh herbs and lime for appeal. Prepare ahead and store for up to 3 days to let flavors blend.

How to Store Turkey Chili: Best Practices

Proper storage keeps turkey chili fresh and tasty. Follow these steps to enjoy leftovers without worry. It’s a simple way to plan meals ahead.

• Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezing: Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Thaw in the fridge overnight if frozen; reheat on the stove or microwave.
• Meal prep: Cook in large batches and portion out for easy dinners.

Reheat gently to keep the texture just right. This method works well for busy schedules.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey Chili

Turkey Chili

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

🌶️ Transform simple ingredients into a hearty, satisfying meal with this turkey chili that packs bold flavors and lean protein into every spoonful
🥄 Master the perfect balance of spices and textures with this versatile recipe that works on the stove, in the slow cooker, or Instant Pot for any cooking preference

• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

– 1 tablespoon olive oil

– 1 cup chopped yellow onion

– 1 pound (about 450g) ground turkey (preferably 93% lean)

– 4 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, balances acidity)

– 2 tablespoons chili powder (reduce to 1 tablespoon for milder flavor)

– 1 tablespoon ground cumin

– 1 teaspoon dried oregano

– ½ teaspoon salt

– ¼ teaspoon black pepper

– 3 tablespoons tomato paste

– 1 ¾ cups (about 414ml) low sodium chicken broth (or one 14.5-ounce can)

– 28-ounce can fire roasted crushed tomatoes (diced tomatoes may be substituted)

– 15-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

– 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained

– 15-ounce can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

– Toppings as desired (such as shredded cheese, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, cilantro, chopped onions, avocado, jalapeños, tortilla chips)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1-Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook chopped onion for about 2 minutes until softened.

2-Add ground turkey, crumble, and cook until browned (approximately 5 minutes).

3-Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

4-Stir in brown sugar, chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and tomato paste; cook for about one minute to develop flavors.

5-Add chicken broth, scraping the pot bottom to loosen browned bits.

6-Add fire roasted tomatoes and the three types of beans; stir to combine.

7-Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low; simmer partially covered for 1 to 2 hours, uncovering during the last 30 minutes to thicken.

8-Serve with preferred toppings.

9-Sauté onion, ground turkey, and garlic as above on the stove.

10-Turn off heat and stir in brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and tomato paste.

11-Add chicken broth, scraping the bottom, then transfer mixture to slow cooker.

12-Add tomatoes and beans, stir gently.

13-Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours.

14-Serve with desired toppings.

15-Use the sauté function to cook onion and ground turkey; add garlic and sauté briefly.

16-Stir in brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, and tomato paste.

17-Add chicken broth, scraping the bottom.

18-Add tomatoes and beans on top without stirring.

19-Seal lid and cook on high pressure for 12 minutes.

20-Allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.

21-If chili is too thin, use sauté mode to simmer and thicken.

22-Serve with toppings as desired.

Last Step:

Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.

Notes

🌶️ Adjust the spiciness to your preference by modifying the chili powder amount or adding cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes for extra heat
🥘 For the best flavor development, always brown the meat and sauté the aromatics before slow cooking – this step builds deeper flavor layers
⏰ This chili tastes even better the next day – make it ahead and let the flavors meld overnight in the refrigerator for maximum taste

• Author: Brandi Oshea
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop, Slow Cooker, Instant Pot
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten-Free

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1.5 cups
• Calories: 459
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 834mg
• Fat: 13g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 49g
• Fiber: 18g
• Protein: 38g
• Cholesterol: 79mg