Turkey Chili Turkey Chili is a healthy, hearty, and filling Mexican-American dish. It is typically made with ground turkey, vegetables, basic aromatics, and flavorful chili seasoning. This homemade Turkey Chili is one of the best comfort foods, making it a perfect meal for lunch or dinner. The best part is that it makes for a perfect one-pot meal for busy weeknight dinners, similar to our vegetarian chili and white chicken chili.
The recipe I have shared here provides simple and easy instructions for making Turkey Chili at home, along with a video that makes the cooking process effortless.
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What is Turkey Chili?
Turkey Chili is a healthy, hearty, and filling Mexican-American dish. This classic chili recipe is made with basic aromatics, vegetables, ground turkey, and a flavorful chili seasoning. This homemade Turkey Chili is one of the best comfort foods that are suitable for both lunch and dinner.
Turkey Chili is a one-pot meal that is easy to make and can be customized to suit your tastes. The use of ground turkey provides a lean source of protein that makes it a great option for a healthy dinner. The addition of veggies such as onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes not only adds flavor to the chili but also increases its nutritional value.
If you're looking for a substitute for turkey in this recipe, feel free to use ground chicken or beef as a substitute. For a vegetarian option, you can use legumes such as black beans, kidney beans, or lentils. These substitutions will provide a different flavor and texture but still result in a delicious and healthy chili that everyone can enjoy. With its versatility and nutrition-packed ingredients, Turkey Chili is a perfect comfort food for a nutritious dinner.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To create this tasty Turkey Chili, you will require several ingredients that might already have in your kitchen. If not you can easily find them at nearby grocery stores. Let's see what are they below.
Main Ingredients
Below are some of the main ingredients you will need to make Turkey Chili.
- Turkey: This recipe calls for 1 lb of ground turkey, which is a great source of lean protein. If you prefer, you can use ground chicken instead
- Beans: This recipe uses black beans and pinto beans, but other bean varieties like kidney beans or northern beans will also work well
- Tomatoes: The recipe calls for diced tomatoes, but crushed tomatoes or tomato puree can be used for similar results
- Celery: This vegetable provides depth and flavor to the chili, and helps to balance the taste
- Green Chiles: These add heat and flavor to the chili, making it spicy and delicious
- Chicken Broth/Stock: The chicken broth or stock helps to enhance the flavor of the chili, bringing out a rich and savory taste
Other Ingredients
Below are the spices, aromatics, and toppings that you will need for Turkey Chili.
- Corn: Fresh or canned corn can be used, depending on what is most convenient for you.
- Spice Powders: Chili powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, and black pepper powder will give your Chili the best flavor. If you have premade chili seasoning, that can be used instead
- Bay Leaf: This herb adds a nice flavor to soups, stews, and chili, making the dish even more delicious
- Aromatics: Fresh onions and garlic delivers fresh aroma and flavor, and are essential for making a great-tasting chili
- Brown Sugar: This ingredient enhances the overall taste of the chili, and you can also substitute it with dark chocolate if desired
- Toppings: To finish off the dish, you can add toppings like avocado, sour cream, cheese blends, tortilla chips, or coriander leaves. These will make your chili filling satisfying, and perfect for a delicious meal
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Make Turkey Chili at Home?
The recipe I have shared is a healthy and flavorful Turkey Chili. This dish is not only comforting but also nutritious, making it an excellent option for lunch or dinner. Its versatility allows for customization to personal preferences, making it a dish that can be perfect for everyone.
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.
- Saute the aromatics - Begin by heating a wide pan or pot over medium heat and adding oil. Once the oil is hot, add a bay leaf, diced onion, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until the ingredients are aromatic and fragrant, which should take about 2-3 minutes
- Cook the veggies to soft - Next, add celery and red bell pepper to the pot and continue sautéing until the vegetables are soft
- Add the Spices - Add chili powder, ground coriander, cumin, black pepper, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, and salt to the pot and stir everything well. If you prefer, you can use 3 tablespoons of premade chili seasoning mix instead of the individual spices
- Add Turkey - Then, add ground turkey to the pot and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is browned. After that, add in diced Green Chiles and mix well
- Mix other Ingredients - Next, add diced tomatoes, pinto beans, black beans, and corn to the pot and mix everything well
- Cook the mixture - Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth and allow the mixture to cook for 10-12 minutes
- Simmer - Once the time has passed, reduce the heat and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Garnish - Finally, add a touch of brown sugar, lime juice, and freshly chopped coriander leaves to the pot and mix well. Your delicious and healthy Turkey Chili is now ready to be served
- Add Toppings & Serve - When it's time to enjoy your meal, top each serving with sliced avocado, crushed tortilla chips, a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of cheese blend, and lime wedges for a filling and satisfying meal
Tips
- Aromatics and Spices: Sautéing aromatic ingredients such as onions, garlic, and bay leaves along with the spices, is essential in delivering a flavorful dish. The key is to make sure that these ingredients are cooked until they are fragrant and aromatic. This will infuse the chili with a depth of flavor
- Brown Turkey: Browning ground turkey is also a key step in creating a delicious chili. As the turkey browns, it will release its natural juices and pick up the flavors of the aromatics and spices in the pan. This will ensure that your Chili has a rich, hearty flavor that is sure to please
- Chicken Broth/Stock: Using a high-quality, reduced-sodium chicken broth or stock instead of water when making chili can make all the difference in terms of flavor. The broth will add depth and richness to the dish, making it even more satisfying and delicious
- Simmer: Once you've added the broth, it's important to allow the chili to simmer and cook for a few minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together and create a cohesive and delicious dish. Additionally, cooking the chili for a longer period will intensify the flavors and make the dish even more enjoyable
- Toppings: To make your Chili even more filling, consider topping it with avocado, sour cream, cheese blends, and lime wedges. These toppings will add a creamy texture and a burst of fresh flavor to the dish
- For Creamy Turkey Chili: If you prefer a creamier chili, you can use fat-free cream cheese to thicken the sauce. Alternatively, you can blend a portion of the beans to make a thicker and creamier chili. However, it's important to note that this recipe already has enough volume with the addition of ground turkey, beans, corn, celery, and bell peppers, so the addition of cream cheese or blended beans is entirely optional
Storage Suggestions
Turkey Chili is best served warm and fresh. However, if you have leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days. To enjoy the chili again, simply reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Serving Suggestions
This Turkey Chili is a hearty meal that can be served as a standalone dish for both lunch and dinner. To enhance the dining experience, you can pair the chili with classic Mexican recipes such as cornbread, tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, guacamole, salsa, Mexican rice, nachos, and burritos.
For those who prefer non-Mexican options, you can also consider serving the chili with baked potatoes, grilled cheese, garlic breadsticks, coleslaw, or any other salad of your choice.
Related Recipes
You can also find similar chili recipes below and more at soup recipes and comfort food recipes and one-pot meals.
- White Chicken Chili
- Vegetarian Chili
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Chicken Ramen
- Chicken and Rice Soup
- Hot and Sour Soup
Turkey Chili Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Turkey Chili Recipe below that I hope will assist you in creating a comforting and hearty meal at home. You can also find this recipe in story format.
📖 Recipe
Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Turkey
- 2 tbsp Oil
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 1 Onion, medium size, chopped
- 2 tbsp Garlic, chopped
- ¼ cup Celery , chopped, (approx 2 ribs)
- ¼ cup Red Bell Pepper, diced
- 1 tbsp Chili Powder
- 2 tbsp Coriander Powder
- ¾ tsp Cumin Powder
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- ¾ tsp Dried Oregano
- ¼ tsp Cayenne Pepper, optional
- 7 oz Green Chiles, canned
- 14 oz Diced Tomato, crushed works too
- 15 oz Pinto Beans, canned
- 15 oz Black Beans, canned
- 8 oz Corn, canned
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
- Coriander Leaves, handful and to garnish
- Tortilla Chips, to garnish
- Lime Juice, from half lime
- Lime Wedges, to garnish
- Avocado, to garnish
- Cheese Blend, to garnish
- Sour Cream, to garnish
Instructions
To make Turkey Chili
- Heat a wide pan or pot over medium heat and add oil. Add the bay leaf, onion, and garlic, and sauté until aromatic, about 2-3 minutes
- Add the celery and red bell pepper, and sauté until soft, about 4-5 minutes
- Add chili powder, coriander, cumin, black pepper, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, and salt. Mix everything well. (You can also use 3 tbsp of premade chili seasoning mix if that's handy for you)
- Add the ground turkey and cook for 5-7 minutes, until browned. Stir occasionally
- Add Green Chiles and mix well
- Add the tomatoes, pinto beans, black beans, and corn, and mix well
- Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth, and allow the mixture to cook for 10-12 minutes
- Reduce the heat and simmer for an additional 5 minutes
- Finally, add brown sugar, lime juice, and coriander leaves and mix well. The comforting and healthy Turkey Chili is now ready to be enjoyed
To Serve
- Serve the Turkey Chili topped with avocado, tortilla chips, sour cream, cheese blend, and lime wedges for a filling and satisfying meal for lunch and dinner
Video
Notes
- Aromatics and Spices: Sautéing aromatic ingredients such as onions, garlic, and bay leaves along with the spices, is essential in delivering a flavorful dish. The key is to make sure that these ingredients are cooked until they are fragrant and aromatic. This will infuse the chili with a depth of flavor
- Brown Turkey: Browning ground turkey is also a key step in creating a delicious chili. As the turkey browns, it will release its natural juices and pick up the flavors of the aromatics and spices in the pan. This will ensure that your Chili has a rich, hearty flavor that is sure to please
- Chicken Broth/Stock: Using a high-quality, reduced-sodium chicken broth or stock instead of water when making chili can make all the difference in terms of flavor. The broth will add depth and richness to the dish, making it even more satisfying and delicious
- Simmer: Once you've added the broth, it's important to allow the chili to simmer and cook for a few minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together and create a cohesive and delicious dish. Additionally, cooking the chili for a longer period of time will intensify the flavors and make the dish even more enjoyable
- Toppings: To make your Chili even more filling, consider topping it with avocado, sour cream, cheese blends, and lime wedges. These toppings will add a creamy texture and a burst of fresh flavor to the dish
- For Creamy Turkey Chili: If you prefer a creamier chili, you can use fat-free cream cheese to thicken the sauce. Alternatively, you can blend a portion of the beans to make a thicker and creamier chili. However, it's important to note that this recipe already has enough volume with the addition of ground turkey, beans, corn, celery, and bell peppers, so the addition of cream cheese or blended beans is entirely optional
Nutrition
FAQ
Turkey Chili is a healthy, hearty, and filling Mexican-American dish. It is made with ingredients such as ground turkey, vegetables, basic aromatics, and flavorful chili seasonings. This homemade dish is considered one of the best comfort foods, making it a perfect meal for lunch or dinner.
The key to making the best turkey chili is to use quality spices, vegetables, chicken stock, lime juice, and fresh herbs. Cooking the chili and allowing it to simmer brings out the full flavor of the ingredients.
Ground chicken is a healthy protein alternative to turkey in this recipe. Another option is to use ground beef for a classic version of the dish.
To enhance the dining experience, you can pair the chili with classic Mexican dishes such as cornbread, tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, guacamole, salsa, Mexican rice, nachos, and burritos. For those who prefer non-Mexican options, consider serving the chili with baked potatoes, grilled cheese, garlic breadsticks, coleslaw, or any other salad of your choice.
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to comment, and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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