This turkey chili recipe is a delicious variation of our favorite hearty chili recipe.
Lean ground turkey, veggies, tomatoes, and beans are simmered in a rich tomato sauce for slow-cooked flavor in minutes!
A Family Favorite
- This turkey chili recipe, is packed full of zesty flavor with fewer calories.
- Make ahead and reheat throughout the week or freeze portions for single use in zippered bags for up to 6 months!
- Turkey chili is ready in 45 minutes from start to finish but tastes like it’s been slow-cooked all day!
- Double up the batch and freeze it for later.
Ingredients for Turkey Chili
Turkey: Use lean ground turkey or ground chicken. This recipe can also be made with 2 cups of leftover roast turkey if you’ve got leftovers.
Beans: This turkey chili uses canned kidney beans as they hold their shape well. Any variety of canned beans will work – try black beans, navy beans, or even lentils. Canned beans should be rinsed and drained to reduce excess sodium.
Sauce: Tomato sauce, broth, and canned tomatoes make up the base of this sauce. Rotel canned tomatoes add an extra punch of flavor but use regular diced tomatoes work too.
Seasonings: Chili powder adds a lot of flavor along with oregano and cumin. For some extra heat add a diced jalapeno or a little bit of cayenne pepper.
How to Make Turkey Chili
- Brown turkey with onion, garlic, and seasonings (as per the recipe below).
- Add remaining ingredients and simmer until the sauce is thickened.
Toppings for Turkey Chili
Create a DIY Turkey Chili bar and let everyone choose their favorite toppings in addition to sour cram!
- Fresh: sour cream or Greek yogurt, avocado, cilantro, green onion
- Flavorful: cheddar cheese or other shredded cheese, tortilla chips
Leftovers
Leftover turkey chili can be kept covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and can be frozen in zippered bags for up to 4 months. Reheat on the stovetop.
More Ground Turkey Recipes
Did your family enjoy this Turkey Chili? Leave us a rating and a comment below!
Turkey Chili
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey or ground chicken
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder
- 15 ounces canned red kidney beans 1 can, drained and rinsed
- 10.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes with chilies 1 can, such as Rotel
- 1 cup chicken broth or beef broth
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 bell pepper red or green, chopped
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
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Brown ground turkey, onion, garlic, and chili powder in a large pot until no pink remains.
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Add beans, diced tomatoes, broth, tomato sauce, bell pepper, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
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Bring the chili to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce the heat to low, and let simmer uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes or until thickened. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dinner, Entree, Turkey
Cuisine American
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I am going to make this turkey chili!
I would love to hear what you think of it, Annie!
This chili is delicious! It is easy to make and very flavorful. I made it exactly as written except I added a little extra of the liquids and seasonings and chopped a half of a jalapeno and put it in for more heat. Loved it! Will definitely make it again.
This is one of my favorite recipes for Chili! I’ve made it a number of times…so easy and tastes delish! Leftovers taste great too! Highly recommend!!
Thank you, Sandy! I am so happy you enjoyed it.
So glad everyone enjoyed it, Sandy!
made your shrimp bisque to share with in laws who are hard to please
It was a great success
Thanks
Jane
So happy to hear everyone enjoyed it, Jane!
Please note that this is also Weight Watchers friendly
Thanks for letting us know!
My go to chili recipe. I enjoy how its forgiving if I don’t have all the exact ingredients.
Thanks, Alison! Happy to hear that.
I just found this recipe and am making it today for football Sunday! It looks amazing and delicious and predict this will go into our regular rotation!
Thanks, Penny!!
Excellent recipe. I just added the cayenne pepper like my chili a little hot.
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Steve!
This is by far one of the best chili recipes that I’ve tasted. I’m glad I doubled the recipe! I plan to include this chili during our Super Bowl festivities this winter.
I’m so glad to hear you loved this recipe Rose!
I really enjoyed this recipe. There are so many Chili variations but this was perfect for me. I am trying to lose a little weight so the usage of ground Turkey was great. The spices were perfect. Thank you!
We are so happy you enjoyed this recipe, Anne Marie!
Can this be converted to a slow cooker?
It should work fine Sue. You might like double it as a slow cooker works best when it’s at least half full, and add a little less liquid as less evaporation takes place in the slow cooker. For times and temperatures you can reference this easy crock pot chili!
I am cooking this on Saturday.
Enjoy Alane!
I have been trying to eat a little healthier and stumbled across this recipe. It was soooo good! I will be using this recipe for chili from now on.
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe Rebecca!
I made this recipe as is, with the exception of adding additional beans because of can size. It is amazing! On the hotter side, which I love:) I will continue to use this recipe for a long time.
So glad you loved it Susan!
very good!
Why is raw ground Turkey included in a recipe for “left-over turkey”?
This can be made with leftover turkey. If you do not have leftover turkey, ground turkey can be used and will need to be browned per the recipe.
Hi, Just wondering do you know how much is actually in a serving? I know it serves 6 but didn’t want to have to measure out cupfuls if someone already knew. I have to measure so I can count my points Thank you!
Each serving is approximately 1-1 1/2 cups. Enjoy Denise!
Thanks Holly, for this much healthier Chili! I decided to serve it on game day (I’ll have to triple the recipe) along with several other goodies for our guests. I’m sure the ladies will also love it, and will ask for the recipe. I will direct them to your wonderful blog.
You’re welcome! I’m sure they will love it too!