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Turkey Chili in a white bowl with few ingredients scattered around.

Turkey Chili

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Turkey Chili is a nutritious and hearty Mexican-American dish, ideal for busy weeknights. Prepared with ground turkey, vegetables, and spices, it offers a comforting one-pot meal that's perfect for both lunch and dinner.
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 5 servings
Calories 549
Author Sangeetha Vel

Ingredients

For Turkey Chili

  • 1 lb Ground Turkey
  • 2 tbsp Oil
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 1 Onion medium size, chopped
  • 2 tbsp Garlic chopped
  • ¼ cup Celery chopped
  • 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 puree or crushed tomatoes work 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
  • Lime Juice
  • Cilantro

For Garnishing

  • Avocado
  • Tortilla Chips
  • Sour Cream
  • Cheese Blend
  • Lime Wedges
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Making Turkey Chili

  • Begin by heating oil in a large pan or pot over medium heat. Add the bay leaf, onion, and garlic, and sauté them until they start to release their fragrant aromas, about 2-3 minutes. This helps build a rich flavor base.
    Sautéing the aromatics in a pan.
  • Next, add the celery and red bell pepper to the pan. Continue to sauté these vegetables until they begin to soften, which usually takes about 4-5 minutes. Softening the vegetables brings out their natural sweetness, adding depth to your chili.
    A pan with aromatics, celery and red bell pepper.
  • Stir in the chili powder, coriander, cumin, black pepper, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, and salt. Combine everything thoroughly to coat the vegetables well.
    A pan with aromatics, veggies and seasoning powders.
  • Add the ground turkey to the pan and cook until it is nicely browned, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Browning the turkey not only enhances its texture but also deepens its flavor.
    Browning the ground turkey with spices and aromatics.
  • Mix in the green chiles thoroughly, ensuring they are well integrated into the mixture. The chiles add a subtle heat that infuses the dish with a distinctive zesty flavor.
    Adding green chiles to ground turkey mixture.
  • Add the tomatoes, pinto beans, black beans, and corn. Stir everything together well, making sure all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the pot. This combination adds a variety of textures and flavors, enriching the overall richness of the chili.
    A pan with beans, corn along with bean, turkey mixture.
  • Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to cook gently for 10-12 minutes. Simmering melds all the flavors together and softens the beans.
    A pan with ground turkey mixture and chicken broth.
  • After simmering, reduce the heat and let your chili cook for an additional 5 minutes. This extra time helps the flavors to blend even more, maximizing the depth and complexity of your dish.
    Turkey Chili mixture is simmer on the stove.
  • To finish, stir in brown sugar, lime juice, and coriander leaves until well mixed. Your comforting and healthy Turkey Chili is now ready to enjoy!
    Turkey Chili garnished with fresh coriander leaves.

Serving

  • Enjoy your Turkey Chili with toppings such as avocado slices, crunchy tortilla chips, creamy sour cream, a blend of cheeses, and lime wedges. This combination creates a filling and satisfying meal, ideal for both lunch and dinner. For more pairing ideas, be sure to explore our Serving Suggestions section below.
    Serving Turkey Chili topped with avocado, tortilla chips, cheese blend, sour cream and lime wedges in a bowl.

Notes

To take your Turkey Chili to the next level, here are some essential tips:
  • Browning the Turkey: It’s important to thoroughly brown the ground turkey. During cooking, the turkey absorbs the flavors of the spices and aromatics, enriching the overall taste of the chili. Make sure the turkey is well-browned to release its natural juices and flavors.
  • Chicken Broth/Stock: Use high-quality, reduced-sodium chicken broth or stock instead of water. This simple change adds a layer of savory richness and complexity to your chili.
  • Simmering: Let the chili simmer after adding the broth. This allows the flavors to blend and intensify, improving the dish’s taste. The longer it cooks, the deeper the flavors will become, making the chili even more delicious.
  • Adding a Smoky Flavor: For a smoky depth, include a teaspoon of smoked paprika or chipotle powder. You can also use fire-roasted tomatoes instead of regular diced tomatoes to enhance this effect.
  • For a Creamier Chili: If you prefer a creamier texture, consider adding fat-free cream cheese or blending some of the beans. This is optional, as the chili already has substantial body from the turkey, beans, corn, celery, and bell peppers. Whether or not to thicken it further is a matter of personal taste.
  • Toppings: Elevate your chili with toppings like avocado, sour cream, cheese blends, and lime wedges. These add a creamy texture and a burst of freshness, which beautifully complements the robust flavors of the chili.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 549kcal | Carbohydrates: 78g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 783mg | Potassium: 1265mg | Fiber: 17g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 799IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 200mg | Iron: 9mg

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