Turkey Chili Recipe: A Healthy and Flavorful Comfort Food
Warm up with a hearty bowl of Turkey Chili! This one-pot wonder is packed with lean ground turkey, colorful vegetables, and bold spices, making it a healthy twist on a classic comfort food. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or gatherings, this dish is easy to make and endlessly customizable.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Comfort Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Core Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground chipotle
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 28 ounces diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 14 ounces kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Optional Toppings:
- Sour cream
- Diced red onions
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables
- Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the onion, green bell pepper, and garlic. Sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Sauté for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and fragrant.
- Brown the Ground Turkey
- Push the vegetables to one side of the pot.
- Add the ground turkey, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
- Sprinkle with chili powder, cumin, ground chipotle, and cayenne pepper.
- Cook for about 5 minutes, until the turkey is no longer pink.
- Add Liquids and Beans
- Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke.
- Add the kidney beans and mix well.
- Simmer the Chili
- Increase the heat to bring the chili to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Adjust Seasoning
- Taste the chili and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or spices as needed.
- Serve and Garnish
- Ladle the chili into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes like sour cream, red onions, shredded cheddar cheese, or fresh cilantro.
Notes
- Make It Ahead: Turkey chili often tastes better the next day as the flavors meld together.
- Freeze Leftovers: Cool completely, then store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
- Slow Cooker Option: Brown the turkey and sauté the vegetables first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
- Spice Level: Adjust the cayenne pepper and ground chipotle for a milder or spicier dish.