Turkey Chili Recipe
Introduction
Few dishes make a bigger impact on a cozy night in or a casual group dinner than a steaming pot of turkey chili. This crowd-pleasing Turkey Chili Recipe is hearty, flavorful, and healthier than most traditional chili variations. It’s perfect for easy meal prep, feeding a family, or game-day gatherings—satisfying comfort food that keeps things light!
Flavorful, Hearty, and Nutritious Turkey Chili
This recipe swaps out ground beef for lean ground turkey, delivering all the satisfying taste of classic chili with less fat and calories. Plump beans, sweet bell peppers, and a robust spice blend create a bowlful that’s both rich and balanced. The simplicity of one-pot preparation makes cleanup a breeze, while allowing the flavors to meld beautifully during a slow simmer.
Crafting a Perfect Turkey Chili Base
Start by browning your ground turkey with aromatic onions and garlic. This foundational step layers in savory depth. Then, the addition of tomatoes, kidney beans, and spices (like chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika) ensures a satisfying heat and complexity without overwhelming the turkey’s subtle flavor. Simmering the chili lets the ingredients come together in a thick, spoonable sauce.
Chili Toppings and Creative Serving Suggestions
Serve your turkey chili with a variety of toppings: shredded cheese, sliced green onions, creamy avocado, or a dollop of sour cream. Cornbread, tortilla chips, or even a fresh green salad round out the meal. For extra flair, scatter chopped fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime for a zesty finish.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields about 6 generous servings. Each bowl contains approximately 350 calories, 27g protein, and is packed with fiber and vitamins from the beans and veggies. A healthy, filling option—especially for anyone seeking to lighten up their comfort food classics.
Flavorful, Hearty, and Nutritious Turkey Chili (Recap)
This turkey chili delivers bold flavor, robust warmth, and satisfying protein in every bite—perfect for casual dinners, meal prep, or sharing with a crowd. With minimal prep and loads of flavor, it’s a go-to recipe you’ll return to time and time again.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper, cooking until softened (about 5 minutes).
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 6–8 minutes).
- Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to toast the spices.
- Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, kidney beans, black beans, and chicken broth. Stir to combine thoroughly.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let cook for at least 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. For richer flavor, simmer up to 45 minutes uncovered to thicken.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Weekly Meal Planning
This Turkey Chili Recipe is perfect for make-ahead lunches and family dinners throughout the week. Save and schedule this recipe in your weekly meal plan to generate a smart shopping list that gathers and organizes all needed ingredients from every recipe on your plan.
Planning Benefits:
– Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across multiple recipes
– Organizes shopping lists by grocery store aisle/section
– Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten ingredients
– Streamlines weekly meal prep to save time and reduce stress
Pro tip: Schedule your meals in advance to see where ingredients overlap (like canned beans or spices), making shopping and pantry management more efficient and helping eliminate food waste.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
