By Annie Holmes Published in Dinner
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
This is the Best Turkey Chili recipe! Browned turkey, two kinds of beans, tomatoes and spices make this an easy dinner you will love! Slow cooker option also!
We have a few recipes that make frequent appearances on our dinner rotation. Some of my favorites include Cheesy Chicken and Rice, Lo Mien, and Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers.
One that gets a lot of play in the fall and winter months is this super easy turkey chili.Typically chili recipes include a ground beef and kidney bean base.
This recipe is unique because I like to use ground turkey and a combination of dark red kidney beans and northern beans. The different flavors and textures of the two types of beans makes this chili extra tasty!
Ingredients Needed for Turkey Chili
This simple turkey chili takes just a handful of ingredients you probably already have on hand and the spices can be easily adjusted based on your personal preferences.
- Ground turkey
- Red kidney beans
- Great northern beans
- Canned tomatoes with green chiles
- Tomato juice
- Spices
How to Make Turkey Chili
This is such a simple turkey chili recipe, but it’s full of flavor and my family loves it! Here’s an overview of how the chili is made:
- Brown ground turkey over in a medium size sauce pot or dutch oven.
- Add beans, tomatoes with green chiles, tomato juice and spices.
- Allow chili to simmer over medium-low heat uncovered for approximately 30 minutes, or until the tomato juice has reduced and thickened.
Can I Make Chili in a Crockpot?
Yes! You can also easily adjust this healthy turkey chili to be a slow cooker recipe. Just brown and drain your meat and transfer it along with the remaining ingredients to a slow cooker and heat up to 8 hours on low or 2-3 on high.
Can This Turkey Chili Be Made Keto?
Since this healthy turkey chili contains kidney beans, it’s not suitable for anyone following a keto diet. However, I have a great Keto Chili Recipe on my site already. You can make it with ground turkey instead of ground beef, and it’s keto-friendly!
Our Favorite Turkey Chili Toppings
You’re welcome to garnish this ground turkey chili however you see fit. Our favorite chili toppings include:
- Fritos (of course!)
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Fresh green onions
- Sour cream
- Pickled jalapeños
What to Serve with Ground Turkey Chili
Serve this simple turkey chili with crusty bread for dipping, or keep things easy with a green side salad. Here are some of my favorite turkey chili sides:
- Keto Three Cheese Biscuits
- Keto Garlic Cheddar Biscuits
- Keto Dinner Rolls
- Mexican Cornbread
Tips for the Best Turkey Chili
- If you enjoy spicy chili, I would increase the chili powder to 3 tablespoons.
- Remember that if serving this chili with Fritos or crackers, the dish will get a good dose of salt from your toppings. That means you shouldn’t add too much salt to the chili itself.
- Turkey chili freezes and reheats beautifully, so you can make a big batch to enjoy later!
More Easy Chili Recipes:
- Slow Cooker White Bean Chicken Chili Verde
- Keto White Chicken Chili
- Classic Keto Chili
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
- Slow Cooker Three Bean Chili
The Best Turkey Chili
Annie Holmes
This is the Best Turkey Chili recipe! Browned turkey, two kinds of beans, tomatoes and spices make this an easy dinner you will love! Slow cooker option also!
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Comfort Food
Servings 6
Calories 336 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey browned and drained
- 1 15 ounce can dark red kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 15 ounce can great northern beans drained and rinsed
- 1 10 ounce can tomatoes with green chilies undrained
- 1 46 ounce can tomato juice
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Brown 1 pound of ground turkey over medium heat in a medium size sauce pot or dutch oven. Drain off any grease.
Add drained and rinsed beans, undrained ro-tel, tomato juice and spices.
Stir well.
Allow chili to simmer over medium low heat uncovered for approximately 30 minutes until the tomato juice has reduced and thickened.
Serve with Fritos, shredded cheddar and green onions!
Video
Notes
- If you enjoy spicy chili, I would increase the chili powder to 3 tablespoons.
- Remember that if serving this chili with Fritos or crackers, the dish will get a good dose of salt from your toppings. That means you shouldn't add too much salt to the chili itself.
- Turkey chili freezes and reheats beautifully, so you can make a big batch to enjoy later!
Nutrition
Serving: 1Calories: 336kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 28gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 827mgFiber: 7gSugar: 3g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
FAQs
The low and slow cooking process melds the flavors of the chili seasoning into every bite and the beef becomes so tender, juicy, and irresistible. You can slow cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours.
How does Martha Stewart make chili? ›
Add chili powder, cocoa, and tomato paste; cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes more. Add tomatoes, broth, and cooked beef. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, until thickened slightly, 25 to 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; serve with sour cream and chives.
What can I add to chili to make it stand out? ›
Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.
How many carbs are in turkey chili? ›
Turkey Chili With Beans (1 cup) contains 19.3g total carbs, 13.7g net carbs, 7.5g fat, 19.4g protein, and 218 calories.
What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›
A cup of strong, brewed coffee will work wonders for your pot of chili, imparting a deep, roasted flavor that will make the chili taste like it simmered away all day long. For maximum flavor, reduce the coffee along with a blend of tomato paste, aromatic veggies and spices like we do in our Spicy Vegetarian Chili.
What is the secret to really good chili? ›
Chili is rich, deep and often spicy, so adding a sweet ingredient is a great way to create balanced flavor. We've found that adding diced carrots is the easiest way to add natural sweetness, but you can also use vegetables like sweet potatoes or winter squash.
Why is chili better in the slow cooker? ›
Chili is perhaps the ideal slow-cooker dish because its flavor improves with a long, slow simmer. This makes a big batch, perfect for a cold-weather get-together, but if you're making it for a smaller group, the leftovers freeze well.
What is the most important spice in chili? ›
Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.
What adds the most flavor to chili? ›
If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.
What liquid is best for chili? ›
Chili cooks low and slow, so you need enough liquid to tenderize the meat and keep everything from drying out. That liquid should also add flavor to the chili, so use chicken, beef, or vegetable stock, or beer.
Make Chili With Ground Turkey
The lower the saturated fat, the less detrimental it is to your cholesterol level. Even better, "No one can tell the difference," says Gebo, who uses ground turkey all the time to make chili. Ground turkey also makes a great substitute for ground beef in dishes like meatballs or meatloaf.
Is turkey chili healthier than beef? ›
Ground turkey, when compared to ground beef, has lower levels of saturated fat—making it a better choice for heart health—and is lower in calories. Lentils are well-known to vegetarians and are a solid option for adding texture, protein, and deliciousness to chili; plus, they're good for you.
Is turkey better than ground beef? ›
Ground beef and turkey are both nutritious meats that provide protein, fat, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Turkey is generally lower in saturated fat than beef. As such, it may be a better choice for heart health. Fat-free turkey is also the lowest calorie option if you're interested in weight loss.
Is chili better on the stove or slow cooker? ›
Sure, there are plenty of other amazing chili recipes that are cooked on the stovetop, like beef and bean chili or white chicken chili. However, many of the ingredients in traditional chili (like onions and garlic) and dried spices (like chili powder and cumin) develop excellent flavor thanks to low-and-slow cooking.
Is chili better in a slow cooker or a dutch oven? ›
For making great chili, it's a tie between the Dutch oven and the multi-cooker in slow-cook mode. Each requires some tweaking in the cooking methods, though. The Dutch oven chili had the best aroma, heat, and flavor, but it looked less than appetizing due to its dry texture. And the longer it sat, the thicker it got.
Why does my crockpot chili taste bland? ›
Insufficient seasoning, such as chili powder, cumin, paprika, and salt, can lead to bland chili. Chili relies on a combination of spices and seasonings for its distinctive flavor. Be sure to taste your chili during the cooking process and adjust the seasonings as needed.
Does chili taste better the longer it cooks? ›
A low and slow cook time—at least an hour total—is key for drawing out the most flavor in a pot of chili. Yes, a quick chili is most welcome on weeknights, but it won't have quite the same results. A slow cooker works wonders, but if you're short on time, try a pressure cooker.